Uncle Sam Threatens Newtown?

To the Editor:

Most petty stuff that happens in Newtown goes by my state of consciousness without even a nod. I’m busy, have a life and stuff usually works out alright in the long run.

Yesterday, I drove past a statue of Uncle Sam hiding behind a fence on Route 6 because it is felt that his presence made for One Sign Too Many at a local business and therefore was not in compliance. Did I get that right?

I read the article in [last week’s] The Bee quickly…could our town be serious? A businessman feeling patriotic resurrects a beautiful statue to honor a soldier(s) and our country with a national symbol and is forced to remove it.

Why not force other business people in Newtown to remove the American flag from outside their office buildings…no more or less a symbol or “sign” than good old Uncle Sam. Actually, if I’m correct isn’t there a symbol on top of the roof of The Bee and an American flag out front upon occasion? If a person wanted to be technical, our beloved newspaper is also out of compliance.

Just this morning I took a walk past Cherry Grove Farm…huge black letters on the side of a beautiful white barn; a 4-foot-by-4-foot sign right on the side of the road informing the neighbors and the public, again, of the name of the farm and who the owners are. Come Christmas I know there will be another sign to announce the availability of trees.

I drove past our old Edmond Town Hall and observed signs near the sidewalk and huge banners announcing upcoming events hanging off this historic building.

Now I have this excuse-for-a-house, that is really a dump, around the corner from my place that the town could be more attentive to. It’s a threat to property values and a general eyesore to the good people in the neighborhood who take care of their own homes with pride. I get angry every time I ride or walk past it; zoned residential and looks like a scrap yard. The neighbors have been trying to get the town to do something about it for as long as I can remember. Apparently no one cares but, put Uncle Sam where the town doesn’t want him and there is a big problem?

I suggest the statue of Uncle Sam be put back out front where he belongs and an American Flag be placed on either side of him just because a show of patriotism is the right thing. It’s beautiful.

Respectfully submitted,

Pat Bailey

108 Brushy Hill Road, Newtown                              October 20, 2010