Editor:

During the recent Kennebunk Town Special Referendum Election, about 10 percent of the registered voters in town took advantage of their Constitutionally protected right to cast a ballot.

Many thanks to those residents who did vote. Your ballots most certainly did count; especially in view of the narrow, 18-ballot win for Albert Searles in the Kennebunk selectmen’s election.

However, that 10 percent number still leaves many, many registered voters who didn’t cast a ballot, for whatever reason. Everyone is busy these days, particularly with rising taxes, heating and fuel costs, and family needs. Many folks have said they were simply “unaware” an election was coming up, despite numerous newspaper articles and ads.

After reading my comments in an online forum about the low voter turnout, Charlie Neville of the Arundel Sign Company has graciously donated a large, new election banner for our town clerk and her staff to use at all upcoming elections.

Draped across the front of town hall, or wherever any future elections are held, this colorful red, white and blue banner should remind every Kennebunk resident that an election is approaching, and that their vote is needed, and valued.

Many thanks to Charlie Neville for his kind generosity in donating the banner. Sincere thanks as well to Joanna Moran, our town clerk; her dedicated staff, and all the election clerks that work so hard during our town referendums and Town Meetings.

Sincerely,

Ms. Naran Row-Spaulding

Kennebunk