CARSON, Calif. (AP) -- A Los Angeles suburb has stripped its mayor of some power after he ordered the U.S. flag flown at half-staff to honor Michael Jackson.

Carson Mayor Jim Dear lowered the City Hall flag on July 7, the day of Jackson's funeral, calling the pop star an African-American success story and a world-renowned idol.

Veterans were upset and the decision sparked critical e-mails, letters and phone calls to Dear.

Dear then submitted the issue to the city's Veterans Affairs Commission and hammered out a change to the city code that strips him of authority to lower the flag. The City Council approved that change Tuesday.

Dear says if he had another chance, he would lower the city flag for Jackson -- not the national flag.