Dear Editor:

We live in a beautiful place that is full of friendly people. It is a community where people feel free to speak their minds and opinions differ on many issues, but it has never seemed unwelcoming. In fact, it seems generally agreed that being welcoming is extremely important in these small towns that all depend on visitors for their economic well-being.

We were therefore dismayed to see a Confederate flag waving so prominently from a flagpole on private property in the center of the village of East Boothbay. At this moment in time it is a straightforward statement that African Americans are not welcome here.

Property owners, of course, have every right to fly whatever flag they want; however, because it is in such a central location, we feel the need to address the issue of how many residents and other people, both our friends and strangers, will be offended by the hostile implications of that flag.

“Why?” asks a mother of children whom she is trying to teach how to value love over hatred. “And,” said a father, “what do you think those boys from Boothbay, who died fighting for the Union, would think if they saw it?” “It’s just wrong,” says an eleven year old. An even younger child is now having to face the frightening possibility that not everyone she meets at the Post Office will be friendly.

We ask our fellow citizen to consider the direct results of flying a Confederate flag and to remove it. It is, perhaps, more hostile than is intended, and opinions can be expressed more peacefully in some other way.

Betsy Wing, Doreen Dun. Nancy Adams,

Pam O’Connor. Susan Gelarden,

Judy deGraw Joy Ward, Abby Jones

Linda Burley, Erik Bertelson,

Connie Manter and Julie Perry

East Boothbay