After last year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, John Kavanagh criticized the Democrats of Legislative District 23 for participating in the parade and for carrying signs that expressed the things for which we are thankful. (FH Times, Parade Politics, 12/2/2015)

He claimed that there is an “informal agreement to keep politics out of the town’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.” This, despite the fact that the Republican Club and several politicians (with their campaign signs) were also included in the Parade.

The Democrats of LD23 purposely enter the parade on non-election years. Not so with the Republican Club and politicians. This year the Republican Club even added a “Trumpmobile” and, according to The Times, it was judged to be the “Best Motorized Entry.” Are we to assume that the “informal agreement” is void now?

Just ten days prior to the parade there was a Blue Fountain event. This event was sponsored by the town and fees were waived, which means that our tax dollars supported what turned out to be a political rally. Again there were all the usual Republican politicians. Speeches included praises of Trump and anti-immigration, overshadowing what was supposed to be a well-deserved tribute to law enforcement, fire protection and emergency responders.

There has been strong denial that this event was political because, I assume, it would mean there was a violation of the town policy that states, “The event should not have a religious or political purpose.” I expect the Town Council to look into this violation on behalf of the public.

Both of these events were political and one-sided, yet it seems that it’s only deemed “political” if Democrats are involved. For the record, this community is made up of all kinds of people and our politicians are to represent all of us.