First let me say thank you. I was encouraged to see you call out both political parties for their lack of awareness and respect by placing signs on the grounds of our town’s memorials.
I have sent notes to Greenwich’s Democrat and Republican HQ’s, as well as the Greenwich Selectmen’s office to request a formal effort be made to work together to prohibit the placement of these and other signs at memorials, as a show of respect to the soldiers, sailors, airmen, first responders, from our great community.
While we all appreciate the effort that goes into running local campaigns, there is a demonstrated lack of awareness and respect exhibited by political candidates placing signs on the grounds of our significant memorials in town. We know these campaigns are important but they will never supersede the ultimate sacrifices our military members and first responders made in their service to our country and to the citizens of our community.
Here’s a suggestion. Let’s create a written, bi-partisan agreement to specifically prohibit all signs (political and commercial) from being displayed at each of our town’s memorials. There is plenty of other public and private (owner approved) property to market a candidate or used car for sale.
Please know I am firmly supportive of our first amendment right to free speech. It is critical we remember these memorials are dedicated to those who fought and died to protect our nation and its freedoms and to the first responders who selflessly sacrificed their lives to help others. Have we forgotten? Ask yourselves if it would be appropriate to post signs at the 9-11 memorials in town?
So I ask our leaders to please set a bi-partisan tone of respect and decorum and “lead together,” on the issue. I am confident our community would enthusiastically support the initiative.
Damian Riordan
