LEE COUNTY, N.C. — Lee County is dealing with a touchy incidence of bad timing.

On Monday, county commissioners voted 5-0 to allow the Robert E. Lee Society to raise the flag atop the county courthouse on Jan. 19. The society have been doing it for 11 years, but this year, Lee's birthday falls on the same day as the observance of

Martin Luther King Jr.'s

holiday.

Rev. Thomas Smith said it is likely some will be offended.

"For the simple reason that you have two diametrically opposed events happening on the same day," he said.

However, Lee County NAACP president Alexander Brower said there is no controversy.

"No one has suggested racism. They have a right to do it. [As a] matter of fact, their right reinforces my right," he said.

The president of the Gen. Robert E. Lee Society said he wants to make it clear he has nothing but respect for Martin Luther King Jr. and that his request has no racist intent. He said the whole thing is just a coincidence.