Letter: Politics spoils parade (July 18, 2008)
Editor:
Last Saturday’s parade to celebrate our town’s 350th anniversary was spoiled for me by the electioneering of Susan Collins supporters. It was, after all, not a political event and no other candidate had the poor taste or judgment to make it one. Was I alone in my disappointment? No. I actually had a conversation with the organizer of the Yarmouth Clam Festival who said such demonstrations were to be strictly prohibited at next week’s event.
Three cheers for Yarmouth!
Sheilah Hillman
Scarborough
Last Saturday’s parade to celebrate our town’s 350th anniversary was spoiled for me by the electioneering of Susan Collins supporters. It was, after all, not a political event and no other candidate had the poor taste or judgment to make it one. Was I alone in my disappointment? No. I actually had a conversation with the organizer of the Yarmouth Clam Festival who said such demonstrations were to be strictly prohibited at next week’s event.
Three cheers for Yarmouth!
Sheilah Hillman
Scarborough
This is not true. Chellie Pingree, Tom Allen, Charlie Summers, and numerous local Democrat and Republican candidates all marched in the parade. And, they were all authorized in advance by the Parade committee.
Politicians march in parades in Maine, it is an American institution and an opportunity for people in our town to meet the folks who will be representing them in Augusta and Washington.
More likely, the letter writer is a big partisan who was upset to see the overwhelming support Susan Collins received from the crowd. I heard tons of cheers and 'We love you Susan's from the people around me.
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I would like to respond to the above comment. As a bystander in the parade, I was delighted to see Susan Collins participate so actively in the parade. Chellie Pingree also marched in the parade and appeared to make no connection with the bystanders, while Susan was running up and down the parade route, handing out stickers to the children and greeting the people of Scarborough. I thought it was great and showed wonderful enthusiasm. Further, the balloons that her campaign handed out to my children before the parade were a big hit!
I am at a loss for why someone would have had a problem with Susan being at the parade? I thought she was nothing but friendly and enthusiastic!
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If you disliked the electioneering of Senator Collins, why did you not comment about the Pingree Campaign? In all fairness, one should not be criticized without the other.
Personally, I have no problem hearing from candidates during a local event.
Kim Pettengill, Albion
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"Our town"? The poster is a registered voter in Florida. Is this just more of the effort by people from away to butt in to Maine's business? Chellie Pingree also walked in the parade - with a much more anemic showing, as well as supporters of Senator Collin's opponent - why no complaints about that? Perhaps they don't do thid down in Florida where the poster is from but, here in Maine, we love the close and personal contact we have with our elected officials - especially someone like Susan Collins. I hope she's in every parade there is this summer.
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Why is a resident of Florida complaining about how we run our parade here in Scarborough? Politicians walking in Maine parades is a summertime tradition.
I'm delighted that Senator Collins thought the Scarborough 350th celebration was worth her participation.
Such mean-spirited comments from someone who isn't even a Scarborough resident really makes the town look inhospitable to our elected representatives, and that's a shame.
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I would like to set the record straight in regard to Sheila Hillman's remarks surrounding the presence of Senator Susan Collins at Scarborough's 350th anniversary parade.
I walked with Senator Collins in the parade and was genuinely impressed with the warm reception that she received from the fantastic turnout of town residents along the route.
But it should be noted that the crowd also showed their appreciation to a host of declared candidates who marched in the parade that included state Senator Phil Bartlett, 1st Congressional District candidates Chellie Pingree and Charlie Summers. Also, each major political party had their own contingents that included signs of support for individuals running for local, state, and congressional offices.
I think everyone who participated in parade was honored to be allowed to be a part of such a important event for the Town of Scarborough. It is an election year, and politicians walking in community parades is a well established venue in Maine. It gives many folks an opportunity to see who they have voted for and perhaps the chance to talk with them and express their views.
I hope that Senator Collins, and anyone else making the sacrifice to run for elected office, continues to have the option of walking in parades both in Scarborough and across this great State of Maine.
John Martell
President
Professional Fire Fighters of Maine
International Association of Fire Fighters
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