Another view

To the editor:
    It amazes me that some people have enough time on their hands to think up a scheme of entrapment of a local businessman. Someone would actually take the time to set a political sign up in front of his business and then sit and wait. Wait for said business owner to show up for work and record him removing the unwanted sign from in front of his business. It amazes me that it would be legal (although surely not ethical) to place one’s political sign in front of a business without owner’s consent (although technically in the “right of way”).
    I myself am not a business owner. However, if I was, I would do the exact same thing. Why would I allow a sign in front of my operation, giving the false impression that I support a candidate that I do not? Until this matter was brought out into the public, I was unaware of any right of way laws or bylaws. I am still unclear on the specifics and I don’t know if they pertain to one’s residence. But you can guarantee if someone put a sign in front of my house, I’d remove it as soon as I saw it.
    Just days prior to Election Day, this same person filed another complaint from what I’m told, this time with the town office. He reported a political sign was two feet too close to the front door of the rec center (apparently all signs must be 250 feet or more away from a polling place). Did he actually measure from the door to the sign and find out it was 248 feet away? Did he possibly move the sign himself? There would be no proof one way or the other, unless someone was sitting underneath one of the baskets on the outdoor courts watching and filming him, I guess. Was he doing this in an attempt to disqualify this candidate, since he was running against his buddies? Did they know they were going to lose to this “no name” (their words, not mine)? We may never know.
    Since we’re talking politics and such, and since the “door opener” has already boasted about his good deed, let’s talk about my experience going to the polls. I am walking towards the door and I see this person standing there. I recognized him as one of the candidates on the ballot. I thought it was a bit unethical that he stand there and open the door and “greet” people but I said nothing. As he opens the door for me, he offers a bit of advice, “Be careful carrying (your little girl) down the stairs, it’s a bit of a steep decline,” he said.
    Now, I’m 32 years old and I think I’m fairly capable of carrying my daughter down a couple of stairs without being advised of some minimal risk. I’ve also been to the rec hundreds of times over the years and am quite aware that you have to walk down a few stairs to go vote. Not wanting to “cause a scene” I kept my thoughts to myself. What I was thinking at the time though was, “You know what, I’m not ‘sue happy’ like you are, so don’t worry about it.” No, instead I just offered a simple, “Thanks,” and went about my business.
    Since this “door opener” wants to help his fellow man so badly, wants to “obediently serve”, and asks “may I help you please” … I extend this offer. This winter, if you would, I may need help shoveling my driveway to get my wife or myself to work. Since you have nothing better to do, stop by and lend me a hand. I surely would be appreciative.
John White
Houlton