The yard signs have sprouted in front of Sleepy Hollow. We have never been a politically quiet family, and we do have the benefit of generally agreeing on most issues during family dinners. The final photo of my parents wedding album, circa 1970, is my parents driving off in their Saab, chauffeured by my dad’s older brother, featured a “Ban DDT” sticker on the bumper.

I grew up surrounded by political discussions, and was aware of the issues of the day before I fully understood them. This was complimented by my mom’s younger brother, my beloved Uncle Bill, who held politics opposite to those of my parents, and made it a bit of a mission to “convert” his three young nephews.

Uncle Bill had moved to D.C. as a young man, and was deeply involved in politics. A warm man with serious oratory skills, he never succeeded in convincing my brothers and I of the righteousness of his political beliefs, but he did create three young men with the ability to debate the “other side” without resorting to petty insults, and who try to see where someone else’s political beliefs come from. And to still love the person with whom you disagree.

I miss him, and I wish I could have witnessed the epic battles he and my father used to have in the early days of my parents’ relationship. In these “politically spicy” times, I often wish I could talk to both Uncle Bill and my father about the current state of affairs. Though, should I have one more hour with either of them, I don’t think politics would come up.

I don’t want to get caught up in the whole “politics don’t matter” or “both sides” arguments, because I don’t believe this, but there is more to life and the people we care about than their politics. I do think it is problematic when your political views become your defining characteristic. That said, there are values I hold extremely dear, and I won’t compromise them for the sake of not making someone uncomfortable .

Usually, in our country, the race for major public office comes down to two people. If we are politically active, we generally vote for the person who we feel best represents our most important values. And sometimes the person we vote for also represents values we don’t agree with, but that is part of the messiness of democracy. The higher the office, it seems, the more we have to justify the parts of the politician we dislike with the values we support. I don’t necessarily see this as a problem. I believe that this is part of being an informed voter, and making the choice for the candidate you see as best aligning with your beliefs, not aligning completely.

Ultimately, the person who supports [insert name of candidate you detest], isn’t [insert name of candidate you detest], and you can still love that person regardless of their ridiculous political choices.

I agree with the sentiment that we have gotten pretty uncivil in our civil discourse. The internet and the anonymity of arguing from behind a screen is a big piece of it, and it does spill over into real world conversations, and certainly into the mouths of our politicians. I think a more learned student of political history than I could argue that this has always been part of our nation’s messy “democratic experiment”, however.

Which brings me back to Lincolnville.

Every two years, we vote for, amongst other offices, our legislative representative in Augusta. Lincolnville is part of District 40, just seven small towns — Appleton, Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morril, and Searsmont. The actual makeup of the district has changed over the years- back when it was District 44, my younger brother was elected to two legislative terms, so I have a bit of an understanding about the role of a state legislator. Representing such a small group of people means that the individual legislator remains tightly tied to the community they represent. My brother was involved in issues varied from marriage equality to lifted trucks, cannabis legalization to hunting dogs on private property.

This year, both candidates running are Lincolnville residents. Joe McLaughlin and Mike Ray. I know both these men fairly well, and each have strong roots in our community. Both of them believe in the strength of small towns, and want to see Midcoast Maine thrive. Joe is part of the McLaughlin family, former owners of the Lobster Pound, who continue to serve locals and tourists alike at McLaughlin’s restaurant. Mike is a town Select Board member, who has long been involved in the community. I will not be getting into their specific political goals here, but you can reach out to them, and I am sure either or both would be happy to talk to you, they are both friendly and accessible – ideal candidates for the small towns they seek to represent.

Of course, both men know where I stand politically; again, not a politically quiet family, but in a small town we learn, or should learn, how to respect our neighbors. This doesn’t mean we have to agree or in anyway compromise our own deeply held values, but we don’t need to be a jerk about it.

Kayla and Brady

On the community bulletin board hanging on the kiosk at Lincolnville Beach, amongst the notices for upcoming events and business cards for local services, hangs three letters and a photo. Apparently a bottle had washed ashore, and someone had taken the time to post the included letters with their own note explaining how the letters had been found.

Along with a personal letter written by a grieving sister to her brother was this note.

“Brady Thomas Martin, 06/14/1997-09/09/19. 

“Brady was my older brother. He died in 2019 in a logging accident doing what he loved. He was the sweetest, kindest, most hard working man ever. He would do anything for anyone.

“If you happen to get this, ignore my message to him but do a good deed for him. Buy someone gas/coffee/donate

“He would love that.”

I don’t know about you, but that makes my eyes leak. 

And that is all I have for today. Love and peace to Kayla and all of Brady’s family. Go out there and be kind. Even to the people you don’t agree with. School is back in session Tuesday, watch for kids and always yield to the bus driver. Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

CALENDAR

Monday, September 2

Lincolnville Historical Society Museum open, 1-4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

Town Office closed for Labor Day Holiday

Tuesday, September 3

Library open 3-6 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Wednesday, September 4

Lincolnville Historical Society Museum open, 1-4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

Library open 2-5 p.m. 

Thursday, September 5

Heart and Soul Team, Public Services, 6 p.m., LCS

Friday, September 6

Lincolnville Historical Society Museum open, 1-4 p.m., 33 Beach Road

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Saturday, September 7

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, September 8

United Christian Church, 9:30 a.m. Worship, 18 Searsmont Road

Bayshore Baptist Church, 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 11:00 worship, 2648 Atlantic Highway