Letter to the Editor: Incident during vote not reflective of Farmington

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I’m writing about some experiences I recently had in our community.

On Tuesday, June 13, a small number of parents gathered together with signs to remind people of the community election and to express our individual support of the proposed school budget. We stood on public sidewalks (in small enough numbers that no pedestrians or motorists were impeded) and on public greens like the triangle near MG’s Videos.

During these ‘standouts’ I noticed many people waving, giving the thumbs ups and, yes, the occasional motorist who gently shook their head ‘No’, to which I replied with a shrug and a smile. It was a nice to realize how we can disagree without being disagreeable and continue to be neighbors.

While standing on a sidewalk near a public school (we had contacted the principal ahead of time to ask about policy, which allows action that is not disruptive to motorists or pedestrians) something happened that took all observers aback. A driver shook her middle finger at us while mouthing the words “f.u.” but stating the full expletive. She then pulled her truck up onto the sidewalk to a nearby group of sign holders (which included a child who asked to attend and was holding a ‘support my future’ sign, which she made herself) in a very unsafe manner, according to all witnesses. Many of us felt threatened by her unsafe driving and uncertain about what was coming when her anger was so clearly bubbling to the surface. The driver made this same gesture and mouthed the same words to this group.

With her truck halfway in the street and halfway on the sidewalk, she got out and said the group ‘should not be there’ because they were within 300 feet of a polling place. She told them to move down the sidewalk, which they did. (We later measured the distance and they were indeed in compliance of the law).

While there are many examples of incivility and anger in our world, I believe Farmington is better than this incident suggests. I hope we can all commit to the standard that there is no call to be threatening or profane to our neighbors.

Karol Maybury
Wilton

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15 Comments

  1. Agree wholeheartedly, this is not reflective of who we are as a community.

    Town and school budgets, balancing tax burdens vs. needed services are difficult issues and naturally create different viewpoints as to how to proceed. We should be able to engage in a spirited and healthy debate while remaining civil.

    It is beyond the pale to intimidate people who are assembling peaceably, particularly when there are young children in the group.

  2. If this woman thought the group was breaking the law, she should have had the police respond. Instead, this woman took it upon herself to break the law by putting her vehicle on the sidewalk… never mind, one of the group members actually could have called the police on this woman for her aggressive and threatening behavior. Cell phone video of her behavior would have been a high priority of mine, besides dialing 911.

    In today’s world of politics, it seems that many who disagree with you feel very emboldened to intimidate and use verbal and physical aggression to “shut others down” that they don’t agree with. What has happened to civility?

  3. There are laws in place in regards to the right to congregate. Hopefully a license plate number was written down and passed onto the towns law enforcement so they can pay a friendly visit.

  4. The thing is – much better to be the victim of a person like that than to be that person. She no doubt goes through life bitter and angry – and that is not a pleasant way to live. Yes, we are a divided community on the school budget, though I suspect most people are towards the middle and able to communicate. There is no reason or anger and animosity. We can be civil even if we disagree.

  5. I have seen emotions run high in some people from both sides of the school budget issue, but there is no justification for the horrible, rude behavior that was directed at you. Everyone should be free to express their viewpoint without being insulted by the opposition. Sorry you had this experience.

  6. Dear Karol,

    I am sorry that you and fellow public members had to endure the uncivil unsafe wrath of a very threatening person on the May 13th voting day here in Farmington. I commend the mature civil reaction you & others maintained during such a disturbing occasion. Reading about this Farmington pathetic disturbance immediately reminded me of the very recent awful & very sad disturbance that caused serious bodily harm at a ball field outside of Washington, D.C.!
    Our little Farmington deserves behavior & social security better than this!

  7. Why are kids holding signs? They should not be pawns in this budget issue. Just another example of how the schools and UMF function. Do everything you can to get your own way. I agree that this incident should never have happened, but Mr. Erb, do you know this person? If not, pretty hard to make a judgement based on one incident. Again just another example of the educators in our area with their priorities in the wrong area. Lets start educating our kids properly, and not be so self righteous that we can judge others at will.

  8. Someone should have used their cell phone and called the police. No call for this type of behavior. Woman sounds like a bully and an ignorant one at that..

  9. Good question…but why do you direct it in that direction. Pawns? Really? I know of one High School Student who took the initiative to stand on a corner in support of the school budget. Your writing is excellent by the way….thank a teacher who had the right priorities.

  10. I agree with c warren. We need taxes to go down or stay neutral. No more big hikes in school budget .

  11. Getting angry, vulgar, and above all, threatening and dangerous accomplishes absolutely nothing. Certainly doesn’t set a good adult example for kids.

  12. What is even sadder than the actions of this truck driver is the way that our media decides what to print and how to manipulate the context to forward whatever agenda they desire.
    Of course, it is their right.
    No one has mentioned, possibly this truck driver is mentally ill. Maybe she just needs a hug. How many other comments don’t get printed just because?

  13. I live near the MG’s triangle and observed the people there with their signs. I thought how neat it was to do that. Looked like young mothers and at least one older child. They weren’t hurting anyone and should be complimented for supporting a cause to which they were committed in such a positive way. I had already voted, so they didn’t influence my vote, but had I not, who knows?

  14. What is the school going to do when they push all the people out because of higher taxes about155 graduates this year class is smaller then my back in 78 and got there or four time the budget when is enough is enough please tell us Mr Ward when is it going to stop

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  15. cwarren – I do not know the person, but it’s a teaching moment – for kids to learn that this is not the type of person they want to become. When someone acts like that, their actions speak very loudly about their character. When kids are active, they are the opposite of pawns: they are learning to take a stand and speak out. That is a good thing – even if it’s not what you agree with. The same is true if the were having “no” signs. Good to get them involved!

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