Leave me out of it

To the Editor:

There are many circumstances under which we say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” We tell our children this as they part for a time from a boyfriend or girlfriend to go to camp, take a summer job, or go off to college. We say this as we or our spouse must go on a business trip or leave for a time to continue education.

Never did I dream that my absence from Rumford Area Meetings, from the Sun Journal Blogs or the Letters to the Editor of the Sun Journal and Times would result in an uproar that has risen to the boiling point in the past week.

At the end of July, I suffered a medical crisis that required emergency surgery and shut me down completely for six weeks. Since then a slow recovery and some other health issues along with some soul searching as to what if any gains could be expected from my continued attendance and participation at meetings resulted in the decision to continue with my absences. I do not hold any elected office and have no legal or moral obligation to either participate or attend.

In early November, I departed as a regular contributor to the Sun Journal comment sections. I had always posted under my name CandiceAnne. I made the decision at that time that I would not return to the blogs and I have stood firm and comfortable without regret on that decision. Furthermore, I have not read the Sun Journal since leaving. I also rarely read the Rumford Falls Times seeking it out only when I am advised that there is something I must see like today when I received many calls.

A few nights ago, I was contacted by a friend concerning several posts in the Sun Journal referencing me. I have been told this has been happening with increasing frequency, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” The posters were quite insulting in this case, I am told, blaming me for events at a meeting I did not attend and attacking a number of other posters who post under their names or list their identities in their public profiles. These unhappy people where claiming all of these people who disagree with them are me using different names.

I long ago lost interest and left the forum; the growing fondness most definitely not mutual. I must say I am also very disappointed in those who have chosen to make such statements in the forums knowing full well that I was neither at the meeting nor am I any of the posters since I always posted under CandiceAnne and have made it no secret I am not longer connected in any way with the Sun Journal as a subscriber or forum participant.

Today as I am again working on a major paper to complete the fall semester, I have been inundated with calls as the result of the Rumford Falls Times Letter to the Editor “Gone with the wind” by Freemont Tibbetts and Dan McKay, Dixfield. This letter ends with, “Have I got that right, Candice Anne?” as if to suggest I was involved in the drafting of and approved this letter. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Not only did I have no part in this letter, to the best of my knowledge I have never met or spoken with either one of these individuals, and I deeply resent their implying I am involved in this very badly written document that certainly does not express my views or opinions.

Apparently these two also miss me at the meetings and feel entitled to use my name in their crude letter to the editor in hopes of promoting their agenda by suggesting it is shared by me -- wrong. I have not changed my view or opinion on wind power and it is not at all anti-wind power.

I certainly appreciate the Rumford Falls Times and the Sun Journal printing my letter in its entirety. I understand that it is longer than customary for the Sun Journal and I am grateful for their recognition of the necessity of permitting the greater length under the circumstances.

I would like to say it is nice to be missed, to have so many “hearts growing fonder” however to have my name used to promote agendas which are diametrically opposed mine is offensive. I also resent my name being used to attack others who like me have made their identities known when utilizing the Sun Journal Forums.

My final thought is one of outrage at being attacked for the events at a meeting at which I was not even present. I have spent a year and a half fighting for positive change in Rumford not only attending meetings but performing volunteer service and offering even more before throwing in the towel, you folks have been here for a lot more years not getting it done and a I expect you will be here for a lot more, I wasn’t involved in yet another, get nothing done meeting, leave me out of it.

Candice Anne Casey,

Rumford