JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- When Shaun Jackrel of Jaguar Power Sports posted a rant on social media, he had no idea it would create an uproar.
"Unbelievable, the power of social media," said Marcy Moyer. "Boy, oh boy!"
Moyer is sales manager at motorcycle dealer and was present when a city code enforcement officer wrote up a citation of where the flags a repositioned.
"We just felt like that if there's an ordinance that you can't fly a military flag that is not one you come and slap us on the hand for," she said.
The warning citation issued to the business on Monday states the flags, some of them military, were in violation of a ten-foot setback from the right of way.
But what is really adding fuel to the fire is a security video. It shows city worker Melinda Power in a heated exchange with a veteran, who was in the dealership, over the flag citation and that lead to an ugly remark about his service.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, whose office has been bombarded with irate calls, said he will not tolerate that kind of behavior from a city employee.
"I have apologized to the veteran and to the business," Curry said.
Tuesday, the day after rant went viral, Curry placed the two city workers on leave and called for the city's General Counsel to review the city's sign ordinance. The mayor implied that the workers may lose their jobs, pending the outcome of a review of what happened.
"Every agency works for taxpayers," Curry said. "It is our responsibility to treat them with respect and dignity."
Jaguar Power Sports is City Councilman Garrett Dennis' district. He called the incident unfortunate.
"This is a city that loves our military," Dennis said. "It is home to a lot of retirees. I'm a product of a father who served in Vietnam."
While the veteran community near and far slammed city hall with criticism, they embraced the business with well wishes.
Bruce Green driving to Crystal River from Alabama made a stop at the business.
"I just had to come by and shake his hand," Green said. "Some people just don't get it."
Scott Bray saw the viral video as well and thought the code enforcement officer went too far.
"To fine somebody for flying a military flag, I don't know, this is not another country," he said.
Power, the code enforcement officer, took to Facebook to apologize to those who felt she insulted the veteran, but apparently, her apology was not enough.
A Facebook petition has been created to have her fired from her city job.
"I think the people have responded and that speaks for itself," Moyer said.
The issue has struck a nerve with many far and near. The City of Jacksonville, North Carolina was flooded with irate calls and emails.
Late Tuesday, the City of Jacksonville, North Carolina issued a press release stating that the issue was not with them, they are a proud military community.
The business now supports the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and plan to use this incident to create more events and T-shirts with the proceeds going to charity.