Let me state clearly for the record, I had nothing to do with Nick Isgro’s employment situation. I love that people think I have enough power to influence a bank. Sadly, that is not reality. And, the unfortunate picture in the paper with the two of us was me demanding that he acknowledge the truth.

Let me also say that it makes me sad that people in this town who have known me for 40 years, whether from my work to support women and girls and promote social justice, my 20-year membership in Rotary, or my three-year term as mayor, need that reassurance. If there is one thing I’ve tried to be over the years, it’s transparent about what I think and do.

Waterville resident Hank Poirier speaks from the lectern Tuesday during a City Council meeting in the council chamber in Waterville. Poirier said "Eat it, Hogg" — Mayor Nick Isgro's recent tweet about a Florida shooting survivor — is not so bad, and that he is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He proclaimed as he left the lectern, "I am the NRA." Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans

Being transparent is actually why the Waterville Republican Party Facebook page has been attacking me. Matt Workman texted me the question, “Did you call/write Skowhegan Savings?” I responded that I had called the bank one hour before the press conference. I left a voicemail for the president saying I would be initiating a recall and he should expect some press questions.

Shortly after, I saw a statement posted on the Waterville Republican Party Facebook page confirming that I had caused Nick to lose his job. Nick knows who the administrator of the now-removed Facebook page was, he knows who is responsible for his employment situation, and he chose not to correct the post or admit it was his decision. Nick has not been transparent.

To those who believe this is a First Amendment right, let me also be clear. I agree that it is. However, when someone uses that right to promote ideas that are hateful and/or untrue, they have to understand there are consequences, particularly if the person espousing objectionable views is perceived as a leader and spokesperson for a city in which the majority do not espouse those views.

In 1996 I was a member of the REM “Dream Team” that created a vision we had for our community in 2020. The team of 45 had been chosen to represent the demographics and diversity of our local community. It included businesspeople, stay-at-home moms, Democrats, Republicans, and unenrolled residents, people who ran large and small nonprofits, people of different or no faith, men and women, young and old. More than 200 people worked on the vision in addition to the Dream Team.

Every word in the vision statement had to be agreed upon by the entire 45 team members. It wasn’t an easy process but we got through it, and I was proud to have been a participant. I was so invested in our vision for 2020 that I had it printed on the back of my 2012 inauguration program.

I believe Waterville is working toward that vision. Proof can be found in how many of the strategies under each of the eight community objectives have been achieved 23 years on.

When initiating the recall, I specifically referenced the part of the vision that states, “We are an inclusive community that embraces individuality and values diversity … Everyone feels secure here…We can express ourselves without fear and we encourage public discussion and debate.”

I actually thought signature gathering would be a breeze and people would be lining up to sign. What I’ve found, however, is that people are afraid. They are afraid they will be the ones to suffer the consequence of signing a petition to put on the ballot the question of what values we want to espouse in Waterville.

Parents have told me they are afraid for their LGBT children; employees of the city and the library are afraid it will affect their employment; an employee with the accountant for the city and teachers in the schools are afraid they will face retaliation; women have told me they are afraid of being targeted because they live alone. Our winery business has been threatened with a boycott.

No wonder people are afraid. If you were at the last council meeting, there were plenty of angry people with NRA caps and hats and “Eat it, Hogg” T-shirts. One of the councilors said, “I’m feeling threatened” as one of them was shouting at her.

What’s happening in Waterville is a microcosm of what’s going on in the nation. I was naïve to think it wouldn’t happen here. Fortunately, we have been gathering momentum each day and people are overcoming their fear by signing.

There are several of ways you can help make this city be known for civility and inclusion, but it may take getting out of your comfort zone. I hope you think this important enough to do that.

You can sign the petition at City Hall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. If you can’t, email me and we’ll arrange to have someone come to you.

To remain neutral in this process means we have allowed a mayor elected by 15 percent of registered Waterville voters and less than 50 percent of those voted, to brand the city as unwelcoming and uncivil. I don’t believe that is who we are as a community, but let’s put this on the ballot and find out.

Karen Heck is a resident and former mayor of Waterville.

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