AUGUSTA — A resident wants Maine’s capital city to hold a Memorial Day parade for the first time in decades.

Larry Robinson-Handley has contacted the city about holding a parade this year on Memorial Day, which is May 28.

His request goes before the Augusta City Council at its meeting Thursday. Councilors are set to discuss the idea at their informational meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Augusta City Center.

Robinson-Handley said when he moved to Augusta he expected a bustling state capital, but said he noticed some things are lacking — like a Memorial Day parade.

“I want to help build the capital up to what it should be,” he said.

In a letter to City Manager William Bridgeo, Robinson-Handley says he has been charged by the Kennebec County Republican Committee “to undertake a resurrection of the Memorial Day parade in our great city of Augusta.”

Bridgeo said that the city, which annually has a Fourth of July parade, apparently held a Memorial Day parade many years ago, but he did not recall any in recent memory. Bridgeo was hired in 1998.

Robinson-Handley said he heard the last Memorial Day parade in Augusta was held in the 1970s. The Downtown Diner is offering a free breakfast or lunch to anyone who can provide the answer of when the last such parade was held, since even city officials and local historians have had trouble figuring that out.

Robinson-Handley, a member of the Augusta Downtown Alliance, said he has already talked up the idea of a Memorial Day parade with some councilors, the chief of police, and people at Cony High School, American Legion, and shop owners in the downtown area.

Bridgeo said city officials will discuss the proposal with organizers and what the city’s role would be.

Councilors are also scheduled to:

* discuss federal Homeland Security grant funding to buy protective equipment for the police and fire departments and a generator for Augusta City Center;

* discuss a contractor’s request to expand an easement granted for an ongoing major Greater Augusta Utility District sewer and stormwater system project at Mill Park; and

* discuss updating older “welcome” and informational signs in the city.

Keith Edwards — 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com

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