Respect first amendment rights | Letter

Published 12:04 pm Thursday, April 17, 2014

First I would like begin by saying that I support the Orcas Fire Department. I have been a volunteer firefighter & EMT myself, and have been the recipient of much needed care by our EMS services at other junctures in my life. Hands down, we Orcas Islanders have a first rate program with great people there for us when we need them most. That being said, it was surprising to see someone paint the tank with the sentiment that we should not support the current ballot levy for our fire dept.  That is their voice, and while it caught me slightly off guard, it didn’t bother me.  What did bother me is when someone put graffiti over the message to silence the words.  That action is a violation of the first amendment, and not the democracy that I believe in.  Each citizen has a right to voice their opinion and be heard, even if it doesn’t resound with the masses.  Something to ponder.

Corey Wiscomb

Orcas Island