East Sangerville Grange responds to commissioners’ resolution

To the Editor;

This is written on behalf of the members of the East Sangerville Grange (ESG) who met (virtually) on Jan. 17. They had a lengthy, measured discussion about the Piscataquis County Commissioners’ recent “Resolution of Protest for Piscataquis County.” The Grange members at the meeting unanimously agreed that the resolution did not accurately reflect “the voice of the people of Piscataquis County.” A response to the commissioners’ resolution was necessary.

The members of the East Sangerville Grange represent a diverse and broad cross section of the county community.  We have members in all three districts of the county. There is a significant number of small business owners in our membership, as well as artists, educators, public servants and retirees. The ESG represents the county population with members both young and old, healthy and medically compromised, natives and those “from away.” A few of our members have had the virus or lost someone due to COVID-19. We are a good representation of the people of Piscataquis County and are seriously opposed to the implication that the commissioners’ resolution represents the perspectives of all the county citizens concerning the pandemic.

Specifically, the ESG is concerned that the resolution seems to have been created without notice to or input from the citizens of the county that the commissioners serve — a basic expectation of any elected group serving the public. We have found no evidence in the County Commissioners’ meeting minutes that even hints at consideration of such a resolution. In addition, the ESG members have deep objections to much of the content of the resolution, as well as the use of some language which, at best, is ethnically discriminatory and egregious. 

Undoubtedly, the commissioners authored the resolution to reflect their concern for the people of the county during the COVID-19 pandemic. We, in fact, share that concern. The resolution includes some depressing, valid points about the enormous challenges that are confronting individuals and businesses that are struggling. Living during a pandemic is extremely difficult. However, the members of the ESG urge the commissioners, and the community at large, not to funnel our common frustrations with the pandemic at one another or an identified scapegoat.  

It is very easy to blame people when under stress. However, now more than ever, we need to stop with the “us versus them” mentality. We are not Democrats or Republicans, right now, not liberal or conservative. We are neighbors, customers, family and friends. All the citizens of Piscataquis County need to come together in unity.   Together, we can better face the challenges of the pandemic through problem-solving and mutual support, rather than finger pointing and accusation. Now is the time to be shoulder to shoulder, not divisive, in a collective approach to the pandemic. We, as much as the commissioners, are seeking ways to be safe and healthy. We, too, are desperate to see the citizens and businesses recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic, but the path should be cooperative and collaborative.

The East Sangerville Grange calls upon the County Commissioners to be positive and proactive. We ask that the commissioners retract their resolution in the interest of unity against our common foe: COVID-19. If we work together, the county and its citizens will emerge strong from this scourge.  

East Sangerville Grange, #177 members

Sangerville