In Monmouth, a small group gathered signatures to get a warrant placed on the ballot, that would almost totally ban consumer fireworks in Monmouth.

The usual half-truths were used. It was said that fireworks upset the loons so they didn’t breed this year, when in fact it was high water this spring that flooded the loon nests. It also impacted turkeys and ruffed grouse nests.

Evidence was presented that fireworks were going to scare horses, yet what was given as evidence was actually a model rocket, not fireworks.

Impassioned pleas that we not burn down the historic buildings in town, including Cumston Hall, were heard, yet in fact, the Monmouth Fire Department had already stated there had been no fires started by consumer fireworks.

All scare tactics, to get signatures, stir up discontent, and push the will of a few on the many.

But worst of all, was that some of the Monmouth’s selectmen publicly supported this warrant, even though it wasn’t selectmen business. All public hearings were held after the signatures were accepted and verified. The public meetings were moot.

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All the majority of the Monmouth Board of Selectmen did was rubber-stamp support for the warrant.

This was a citizen initiative, and not a board initiative. The selectmen should have just hosted the hearings without support or resistance.

So if my fellow citizens of Monmouth want to tell the Board of Selectmen that they should stick to regular business and not give help to certain groups over others, and to prevent a group of less than 10 percent from taking away our right to celebrate how we want, when we want, vote against this fireworks warrant. Vote to keep the rights that some think we have too many of already.

 

Scott Anttila

Monmouth


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