Crowd Reacts to O'Malley's Parade Appearance
A lukewarm response greeted Gov. Martin O'Malley at the Bel Air Independence Day Parade.
Most community members were less than enthusiastic about Gov. Martin O'Malley's appearance at the Bel Air Independence Day Parade Monday evening.
"One of the highlights of my parade is when Mr. O'Malley comes by and I get to turn my back on him," Terry Tipton of Bel Air said beforehand. "He is not the governor in my mind."
Some others agreed.
Elaine Rumke, also of Bel Air, said she didn't have an interest in seeing O'Malley.
"I think he spends too much and has broken a lot of promises," Rumke said.
Michael Powers of Kingsville put it bluntly: "I'll boo at him when he comes by."
Rhonda Watkins was more positive, but still skeptical. She said O'Malley's parade appearance serves the public good.
"It shows his patriotism, but it also shows some sort of political game," Watkins said.
Jennifer Moses of Belcamp said she didn't know O'Malley would make an appearance at the parade but summed up many visitors' reactions.
"I'm kind of surprised that he would come here, given it's largely a Republican area," she said.
Ellen Dumer
9:09 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Non-local politicians that show up in parades are doing one thing...campaigning. Mr. O'Malley knows how Bel Air/Harford County feels about him as governor. Unfortunately, someone on his staff probably thought that just riding down the street would get him some votes. Remember, this man has his eyes on the Presidency of the United States.
EMD
Ed Jr.
9:07 pm on Thursday, July 7, 2011
Hey Ellen,
I agree. OMalley probably has a deal in place for something. My guess is that he will replace Mikulski. Funny thing, I suspect OMalley had plants along the parade route, expecially the ones wearing the OMalley Shirts. What a tool!
nick macri
9:33 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
He's the reason I didn't go this year. We should break off harford county from the state call it a district and elect erlich.
Mark Ward
11:05 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Bring back the old fashion 4th. of July Parades ..
Lizanne Ferrell
11:11 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I was at the parade when Gov. O'Malley drove by. A man behind us started booing so loudly. It mad me angry and put a damper on my daughters smiling face. I yelled at him to show some respect. We were there for a celebration, political opinions aside!! Why do I have to explain to my 7 year old why people were booing this man. Why do I have to explain that grown ups were acting like children.
peggy thomas
11:12 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The disrespectful and unpatriotic display towards the governor of our state was a disgrace. The holiday is meant to celebrate our democracy, and our elected officials should be welcome as they represent the political freedom we enjoy.
I am ashamed for our community at this childish, rude and ignorant attitude.
carole
7:03 pm on Thursday, July 7, 2011
You should read the Declaration of Independence before you make statements as such. The holiday is to celebrate our Republic - there is no mention of democracy in our Declaration of Independence. Democracy represents the majority (mob rule) which robs the individual liberties of the minority 49% who do not agree with the other 51%. Where is the fairness in that? Also, democracies only last on the average 200 years - which always end in bondage. We are well on our way there - bondage that is!!
Dave McNally
8:49 pm on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
He's the governor. Get over it! We are not all republicans in Harford County. We are Americans! Embrace the diversity.
bill bissenas
8:08 am on Thursday, July 7, 2011
Enabling O'Taxey by not providing any negative feedback only gets you higher taxes and more benefits for illegals.
Scott Walker
8:20 am on Thursday, July 7, 2011
I'm with Lizanne. I teach my children - ages 4 and 7 - that booing is disrepectful and that they should never do it. Then what do you see at our Independence Day Parade - celebrating our country's birth and our patriotism? Booing of YOUR governor. Whether you voted for Gov. O'Malley or not (I didn't), he is YOUR governor. Show some respect for the office and for yourself as an adult. Booing at any elected official - or anyone for that matter - is absurd and childish. I was very glad to hear much less booing that the last time Gov. O'Malley was in Bel Air's parade. Stay classy Bel Air!
Linda
8:48 am on Thursday, July 7, 2011
I absolutley agree. What a shame his children...and all the children in attendance.... had to witness Bel Air at its worst.
betty coakley
7:13 pm on Thursday, July 7, 2011
If politicians were to fulfill their fiduciary responsibility, then the need among the general public would not be to boo them. I find the way the people in Harford and Cecil counties are being taxed without consideration, and are being stepped on so that the taxation of Montgomery and Prince Georges is less so that the richees have to spend less to be something that needs to be challenged. While I would not have been booing, I will not condemn those who did. With the government making so many ways of challenging their misdeeds against the law, booing is something we can expect. I consider the actions of the state to be such that they show that they do not care whether we can afford what they do or not. I ask the people who condemn the booing to find a way that can equally show the fiscal transgressors that the voters have simply had enough. Sadly, this is not a political party issue. I believe it is just politicians wanting to get rich - no matter who they are.