To the editor:
The extremism and anger that is being expressed in the County will not help us move through our conflicts toward resolutions. We all know compassionate and caring Republicans and Democrats. As a fiscally conservative Democrat myself I have often worked with very philanthropic Republicans.
We all know that respectful civil discourse is the only path toward achieving common understanding. The t-shirt inciting violence against the “Liberals” and the dunking booth showing great disrespect for our public leaders are anomalies in my mind. I simply cannot imagine the County’s Republican Party endorsing either of these. I believe that these were actions of extremists meant to create division and not dialogue.
My purpose in writing today is to offer my personal support in facilitating a large community dialogue, which might take place in the Polk County High School Auditorium or some place of similar size. My hope is that this nonpolitical dialogue could help us mend and heal some of our divisions.
If you believe this is a good idea and would like to help please email me at Virgil@CooperRiis.org.
– Virgil Stucker
Tryon