MIDDLETON, Wis. — The Middleton Good Neighbor Pageant kicked off Friday night time with the intention of celebrating comradery in the neighborhood, however controversy was rapidly sparked by an enormous announcement.
For the primary time within the pageant’s historical past, elected officers wouldn’t be capable to stroll within the parade. The announcement got here after conservatives made complaints, wanting GOP candidates to take part given that each one Middleton-area elected officers are Democrat.
For many years, the three-day pageant has allowed elected officers who serve in Middleton to participate within the annual parade so long as they don’t marketing campaign. Apart from yard indicators and Middleton Mayor Gurdip Brar, this yr, the parade hosted none of these officers.
“I don’t give away sweet, I give flags as a result of that is one thing that they hold for themselves, and I additionally ask them if they may hold it till they a minimum of graduate highschool or faculty,” stated Brar.
Whereas Brar had nothing to do with this yr’s resolution to take away elected officers from the parade, he stated he thinks future parades might be extra inclusive.
(Cody Taylor/Spectrum Information 1)
“I believe that we’ve got to incorporate everybody, whoever needs to go within the parade, in respect of whoever they’re,” stated Brar.
Neighborhood members on the parade appeared to have blended emotions concerning the subject. Jane Borowski has been coming to the Good Neighbor Pageant for 10 years and he or she stated she might care much less in the event that they take part or not.
“I’ve no opinion both approach, simply so long as it’s constant. Both it’s all of the a method or all the opposite. After I come to parades, I don’t use that sometimes as an influential pressure of who I’m going to vote for,” stated Borowski.
John Gillis, however, stated he looks like it will be significant for elected officers to participate within the parade as a result of it provides them an opportunity to introduce themselves to new folks in the neighborhood.
“I don’t like that they left it out. I believe they need to have left it open for everyone as a result of they’re beginning to be biased, and choosing winners and losers, and never letting the free open market do its work,” stated Gillis.
It’s unknown what the way forward for the Good Neighbor Pageant will seem like by way of political presence, however all politics apart, Middleton households nonetheless made their approach out to the parade and appeared to benefit from the occasion.
