A few residents have come forth requesting a non-denominational speaker for this year’s Memorial Day celebration in Rindge, after feeling that last year’s ceremony had too much to do with religion.
Rebecca Weidner brought her concerns to the Select Board meeting Wednesday, requesting that the town look into other speaking options besides a pastor. Weidner, who said last year’s event was well run, was “taken aback” by the amount of religious references in speeches, especially comments regarding atheists and “how they were depicted.”
“I’m not trying to impose on anyone’s freedom of speech, I just think that there needs to be more inclusion,” said Weidner. “The emphasis of the event should be the veterans, who come from all walks of life.”
A few other members of the public spoke about the need for the emphasis to be on the veterans, rather than religion, but there were also those who said faith was an important part of the event.
David Drouin said that he felt there was too much proselytizing during the speeches.
A resident in the back of the room said that it was important to have a pastor from a local church at the event, and that he would encourage an atheist or anyone else inclined to speak positively about veterans to speak at the event.
Larry Cleveland, who helps organize the celebration, said the event would be shorter than years past, as he is coordinating the event with the Cathedral of the Pines event, which is scheduled for the same day.
Cleveland said he has three speakers potentially lined up, including Rev. Robert Hakala, who spoke at the event last year, and an Eagle Scout, and that his goal was to carry out the wishes of the Rindge Veterans Association and the Board of Selectmen.
Despite some contention amongst board members, Robert Hamilton has been elected to his second consecutive one-year term as board chair.
Selectwoman Roberta Oeser said she could not vote for Hamilton again, as she has seen a “lack of control” in the past year’s meetings. Oeser also said she took issue with “character assassinations” that have been happening at the meetings, as well as the citizen’s forum portion of the meeting being used as a “bully pulpit.”
Traditionally in Rindge, the board member serving the last year of their three-year term would sit as board chair, but there was a question about whether that should be different this year, as Hamilton was elected chair last year, standing in for former Selectman Dan Aho.
In a 2-1 vote, Hamilton was elected chair.
Selectman Jim Qualey said he would like to return to the traditional format, and that he was happy with how Hamilton had been running the meetings. Oeser was elected vice chair of the board unanimously.