An El Cerrito reader expressed angst in a note to my on-line Q&A last night about the failure of the El Cerrito Plaza shopping center (see his note at the bottom) to fly its American flag at half-mast as a sign of respect to former President Gerald Ford, who died this week.

President Bush, of course, immediately ordered flags to be flown at half-mast but he has legal jurisdiction only over flags at federal buildings. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered flags lowered at the Capitol.

But like most of us, I thought all organizations that fly American flags observe the death of an American president.

That’s not the case.

I did some driving around on my way to work this morning between my home in Martinez and Walnut Creek and out of the six flagpoles I saw with flags, only one flew at half-mast. (Kudos to the Countrywood Shopping Center on Bancroft Ave. in Walnut Creek.)

My own employer’s flagpole was still empty at 10 a.m. and no word yet on whether it will fly at half-mast.

Is it a sign of disrespect, as Sgt. F of El Cerrito asks? Is it laziness? Is it apathy? Is the person responsible for putting up the flag on vacation during the holidays? It could be one or all of these scenarios.

Let’s hope everyone observes the official day of mourning on Jan. 2, 2007, and shows the proper respect for the country’s top office.

Here’s what Sgt. F of El Cerrito sent me this morning:

Recently our country suffered the loss of President Ford.

SGT F, El Cerrito, CA 12/28/06

P.S. For the complete etiquette on how to display the American flag, visit www.usflag.org.

The death of former President Gerald Ford reminded several readers of his visit to Walnut Creek on May 25, 1976, during his presidential primary campaign against then-Gov. Ronald Reagan.

Jason Beziz of Lafayette found this link to photo on the Ford Library and Museum web site taken during the event.

Ford’s comments during that event can be found on-line at the American Presidency Project. Beziz notes that a plaque about Ford’s appearance and his dedication of an American bicentennial bell remains in the Liberty Bell Plaza at the northwest corner of Mt. Diablo and Broadway streets.

Former Martinez councilman Tim Farley has fond memories of that day. He was just 16 years old, the proud possessor of a new driver’s license.

“I remember driving to Walnut Creek to see (Ford),” Farley wrote in an e-mail. “The drive itself was memorable as it was my first solo trip ‘All the way to Walnut Creek.’ ”

If you attended that Ford rally and especially if you are pictured in the photo, I would love to hear from you. Use the comment feature on the blog or e-mail me at lvorderbrueggen@cctimes.com

Longtime BART director Nello J. Bianco of Lafayette, died Sunday. He was 78 years old.

The colorful and often controversial Bianco retired from the BART board in 1994 after serving 25 years, citing health concerns and desire to spend more time with his family.

Appointed to BART in 1969, he would be elected five consecutive terms. No other BART director had served as long as Bianco.

“He was incredibly tenacious,” said retired BART public affairs chief Mike Healy. “And he always knew where the votes were. He was a very strong director.”

During Bianco’s tenure, he helped oversee the transit agency’s troubled start-up operations and survived rough labor negotiations.

He opposed charging for parking and led the charge for tougher spending rules on board members after some members abused travel and the use of staff cars.

Bianco is best remembered for his staunch support of the Pittsburg-Bay Point extension, and has called the line one of his proudest accomplishments. He was particularly concerned that extensions to the San Francisco Airport and elsewhere would strip the agency of the money it needed for Contra Costa lines.

“The Pittsburg extension was because of Nello, no question about it,” said friend and former BART Director Dan Richard of Walnut Creek. “It was also because of Nello that I was elected to BART. When I wanted to run, I went to him and he supported me.”

Born on May 29, 1928, in Weed, Bianco moved to Richmond with his family in 1938. A veteran of the Korean War, he and his wife owned and ran the popular Capri Delicatessen in Richmond and El Sobrante.

Bianco is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty; a daughter, Connie; sons Robert and Gary; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, 9:30 a.m., at Christ the King Church in Pleasant Hill.