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Shouldn't be bullied

John D. Reeder
Letters |
Friday, July 17, 2009

I was delighted to read Harold Brooks' guest column in the Sun Journal on June 28, concerning fairness to the Great Falls Balloon Festival.

What began as a balloon festival board issue became a Lewiston City Council matter.

How did the city officials manage to interject themselves into a decision-making process that was clearly a balloon festival board matter? To threaten the balloon festival board with withholding taxpayer funds if it did not comply to the council wishes seems straight from an old Chicago gangster novel. There is no need for such tactics in the city of Lewiston.

The balloon festival has meant too much to the nonprofit organizations, and the community, to allow it to be bullied by the Lewiston firefighters union and the city council.

John D. Reeder, Lewiston

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

BOSCO's picture

Tron, again with the trial

By BOSCO, unverified — Sat, 07/18/2009 - 10:26

Tron, again with the trial period, it came down to 16% or else we arrest you, sounds like the festival is the bully. 100% of the boot donation stays in maine, 40 families in L-A get services of MDA of Maine, according to past articles,and they can prove it. assuming you will provide evidence otherwise, certainly doubt it, the truth does not apparently mean anything to you. The firefighters offered the assistance at the gate last year and this year, it was refused, how could they of shirked a duty that was never wanted by the festival. AS for bullying what is the threat of arrest or pulling the festival away, sound like bullying, Dr. Reeder should learn what the meaning of bullying really is, seems like he is not familiar with the real situation or is out of touch with reality. The council should of had enough of these lies, I trust they know the real story and voted accordingly. May be what the Doctor and his friends like tron should do is move the festival to another town, see if they get half is much from any other city, the festival is a spoiled child that is out of touch. The La Kermese festival pays the city for services and welcomes MDA. I likenend the behavior of the Balloon Festival like this, they want to have a party at your house, tell you who is invited, then have your children leave the house, then have them come back to clean it up, then give you a bill and expect you to be happy, well Festival NO SOUP FOR YOU.

Full_Timer's picture

The balloon fest should move

By Full_Timer, unverified — Sat, 07/18/2009 - 08:13

The balloon fest should move to Bangor. Apparently, there's enough "hot air" in L/A already!

Rinoblast's picture

The firefighters always have

By Rinoblast, unverified — Fri, 07/17/2009 - 21:20

The firefighters always have the boot at the balloon festival, I'd say that's tradition. All the committee had to do if they were worried about "precedent" is say that in the future no one would be able to get by without stuffing cash in their coffers, but that the firefighters would be grandfathered under an old rule.

And my comments as to where the money goes is not ludicrous at all. The firefighters collect money that they get 0% of. Compare that to say the LHS Swim Team boosters, who keep all their money (less the GFBF cut) and use it to pay for things like customized team jackets. There is a HUGE difference in collecting money for the needy and collecting money as fundraising for your own benefit. And to say that their cause is somehow lesser because the money goes national is disrespectful to every person with MD in the L/A area.

Robert61's picture

Nancy, thanks for the

By Robert61, unverified — Fri, 07/17/2009 - 21:13

Nancy, thanks for the helpful advice, I was noty aware the new system could show who the comments were from. Good to know who tron is as he and I are related through marriage. Some thingsd never cease to amaze me when people think they are anonymous

Robert61's picture

Ms. Barry, I will apologize

By Robert61, unverified — Fri, 07/17/2009 - 21:09

Ms. Barry, I will apologize for the poor typing skills but then again I never went to school for a typing class. Self taught can be dangerous.

As to my comments regarding Dr. Reeder, all I was stating was that the newspaper and the LTTE writer both had an obligation to be more upfront as to their involvement. This paper makes me sign my letters indicating I am a city councilor, even if the letter has nothing to do with city business. I'm merely pointing out an obvious double standard.

As to your other questions, I don't recall you asking anything specific, but if you'd like I'd be happy to respond. But here's a question for you - what makes the festival a "critical event" as you state? That makes it sound like something that this community could not live without and while it is wonderful and helps a lot of nonprofits, critical would be questionable in describing it.

nbarry's picture
verified

Counselor Reed, I've been

By Nancy Barry, verified user — Fri, 07/17/2009 - 20:21

Counselor Reed,

I've been following and responding to your comments regarding Jim Bennett and your comments regarding the Balloon Festival.

First, a suggestion. If you think professionalism is important with your role as a City Councilor, you might consider checking spelling and grammar of your postings.

Second, some observations. Firstly, most users can be identified by clicking their screen name. And, I have asked you direct questions to which you have not responded; still awaiting response.

Yes, Dr. Reeder was at one time the Balloonmeister (which is the correct spelling of the title) of the Festival. He also was one of founders of this critical Twin City event. His instrumental direct involvement was many years ago. When I was on the Board he was not directly involved in the Festival nor did he pilot a balloon.

In my opinion, if you wish to comment on Dr. Reeder's direct involvement it should be to commend him for his hard work associated with creating the Festival and to respect his comments as a founder.

Nancy Barry
Former GFBF President

nbarry's picture
verified

Well said Dr. Reeder.

By Nancy Barry, verified user — Fri, 07/17/2009 - 19:54

Well said Dr. Reeder.

Robert61's picture

Hey Tron, wake up and smell

By Robert61, unverified — Fri, 07/17/2009 - 19:03

Hey Tron, wake up and smell the coffee...I did not dismiss the comments I just felt that his comments should have included that piece of information. Can you say BIased? Give me a break and next time you need me to respond, use your real name and stop being such a gutless coward.

tron's picture

Okay, let's get some reality

By tron, unverified — Fri, 07/17/2009 - 17:22

Okay, let's get some reality to this discussion. Rinoblast, in absolutely on way is the firefighter boot collection a "tradition" of the balloon festival. What began as a trial program, where a non profit would get to ask for collections in exchange to some supervision of the entrances has now been made a permanent feature by the Council, at least for this year. The reason the balloon festival ceased the program is because the firefighters shirked their responsibilities in controlling the bicycles and animals at the entrances. All they wanted to do is collect money and nothing else. And your assertion that the other non-profits "raise money for their own gain" is ludicrous. These organizations raise funds for field trips, awards, scholarships, whereas the money raised by the firefighters does NOT remain in the area. Maybe, just MAYBE, some kids may get some benefit from MDA, but all the firefighters money gets them is a few seconds on the Labor Day Telethon. The money goes into a huge national pot.

Councilor Reed you should be ashamed to dismiss Mr. Reeder opinion simply because he's a past Balloon Meister. He was instrumental in the organization of the festival and perhaps instead of dismissing him, you should have sought out his guidance on the history and intent of the festival.

BOSCO's picture

Tron, again with the trial

By BOSCO, unverified — Sat, 07/18/2009 - 10:20

Tron, again with the trial period, it came down to 16% or else we arrest you, sounds like the festival is the bully. 100% of the boot donation stays in maine, 40 families in L-A get services of MDA of Maine, according to past articles,and they can prove it. assuming you will provide evidence otherwise, certainly doubt it, the truth does not apparently mean anything to you. The firefighters offered the assistance at the gate last year and this year, it was refused, how could they of shirked a duty that was never wanted by the festival. AS for bullying what is the threat of arrest or pulling the festival away, sound like bullying, Dr. Reeder should learn what the meaning of bullying really is, seems like he is not familiar with the real situation or is out of touch with reality. The council should of had enough of these lies, I trust they know the real story and voted accordingly. May be what the Doctor and his friends like tron should do is move the festival to another town, see if they get half is much from any other city, the festival is a spoiled child that is out of touch. The La Kermese festival pays the city for services and welcomes MDA. I likenend the behavior of the Balloon Festival like this, they want to have a party at your house, tell you who is invited, then have your children leave the house, then have them come back to clean it up, then give you a bill and expect you to be happy, well Festival NO SOUP FOR YOU.

Robert61's picture

Mr. Reeder is a balloonist

By Robert61, unverified — Fri, 07/17/2009 - 16:13

Mr. Reeder is a balloonist who has served as Balloon Meister and worked with the festival, so this editorial letter comes as no surprise. The only surprise is that his relationship to the festival was not disclosed by he or the newspaper.

Rinoblast's picture

A little late on this

By Rinoblast, unverified — Fri, 07/17/2009 - 15:46

A little late on this issue... Nonetheless, the firefighters are in a unique situation where their boot collection is a part of the tradition of the festival and the money they collect goes directly to others, where most groups (the sports boosters, cheerleaders, ect) raise money for their own gain. I think the balloon festival committee just got stuck with their hand in the cookie jar.

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