Community Corner
Political Campaigns in Public Parades: Yes or No?
A citizen shares her frustration over a perception that certain political candidates were excluded from this year's Renton River Days parade, but should they be there at all?
While this year's Renton River Days parade was undoubtedly a fun-filled event that celebrated the many facets of the the community, not everyone was happy with the line-up of parade participants.
Phyllis Forister writes in a comment on Patch that some candidates appeared to have been excluded from the parade and she questioned Renton Mayor Denis Law about it.
She posted Law's response which essentially stated the Renton River Days Board of Directors, separate from the city, made the decision to exclude political campaigning because of previous complaints. However, current citizens who hold office at local and state levels were permitted in the festivities.
Patch's efforts to reach parade officials for clarification last week were unsuccessful but we noted several candidates did have information booths set up in Liberty Park during the festival.
We ask you, readers, do you feel candidates - incumbent or not - for upcoming elections should be a visible part of a public event such as Renton River Days? Why or why not?
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