OPINION – I have recently been made aware that a member of the council made a proposal to change the name of our community center and commission a statue to commemorate a certain divisive political figure. For many reasons that are too lengthy to recount, it would be a grievous mistake and have long-term consequences for the town.
It is for motives, such as this type of political posturing on the part of members of the Republican party, that I chose to register as a Democrat after having been an Independent voter for the past 35 years. Of note, I was raised in a very conservative, right-leaning military family as well and even they are dismayed at the turn the party has taken.
No amount of any violence has a place in politics, or any other aspect of our lives for that matter, be it a capital riot or a political gathering. It would be inappropriate to have a constant reminder every time a person utilizes those buildings in that location (or even drives by) to have such a visual representation memorializing the very dark turn our country has taken both in politics and just civility overall.
