As a member of the Seymour Board of Selectmen, active mother and community member, and wife of a volunteer fireman, I am always attending events held in town. It is wonderful to see our community members come out and support our various sports teams, community organizations, downtown merchants, and town-wide events.
On Sunday, October 14th I took part in ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ hosted by First Selectman Miller and the employees of the Town of Seymour. It took some effort on my part, but I was able to convince my husband Chris to partake in the walk, wearing a pink nightgown and allowing me to dye his hair pink for the day. We both believe in the mission of Seymour Pink to unite a community in the fight against breast cancer.
Just as Mrs. Deming said that day, ‘Seymour is number one in the fight’ even though Connecticut may have the second highest incidence rates in the country. The many events within the past few weeks for Seymour Pink have made me proud to be a Seymour resident and contribute to an excellent cause.
But now, in the heart of Election season, I am seeing candidates utilize town or community events for their own political gains, especially at Seymour Pink events. While Theresa Conroy boasts she is a sitting board member of Seymour Pink, I question her motives of being on that board, especially with her actions lately.
On Sunday, Kurt emphasized the importance of walking together as a group because no one should be alone when they have cancer. During the walk, Ms. Conroy rudely ran ahead of the group to her campaign headquarters so that she and her team could wave Theresa Conroy signs as the crowd moved by. I feel this was a complete slap in the face to every single walker struggling in heels, there obviously for the cause.
Ms. Conroy was utterly disrespectful to the survivors joining their loved ones on the walk route. If anyone deserved their name to be waved around on a sign, it should have been those survivors or those we have lost. Overall, Ms. Conroy and team’s actions were just absolutely disgusting.
Seymour Pink, Inc. is supposed to be a non-profit, community board that is non-political, but I am beginning to question the last part. I will not be able to support an organization that allows their own board members to play political games and use breast cancer events for their own benefit, and I know many people who feel the same way.
All members, volunteers, and event attendees of Seymour Pink need to put politics aside and remember the mission of Seymour Pink is to unite a community in the fight against breast cancer, not divide or offend members of the community with political antics. We all must work together for the betterment of our community.
Sincerely,
Annmarie Drugonis
Seymour. CT
