The Mayor Addresses the Crowd

Posted on Fri Apr 21st, 2023 @ 11:08pm by Hale Stratton
Edited on on Mon Apr 24th, 2023 @ 11:46pm

654 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Bangor or Bust
Location: Trail's End Festival, Center Stage, Millinocket, Maine
Timeline: 25 AUG 2010 - 1:00 p.m.

The last strains of an Irish folk tune wafted across the crowd; he stood to one side, in the performers' area, ready to take the stage once they finished. Living in the public eye, he had never been someone to crumble under pressure nor was he given to displaying anything but confidence and calm when he was in public.

He saved the fear for his study or in private conversations with his family. As a fan of history, he had read about these things and understood, intellectually, how they hadn't been prepared. He had congratulated himself on living in the modern age, felt confident in his ability to navigate any emergency.

And at this moment, standing in the wings, waiting to deliver the first of what would probably be several difficult speeches, he felt stupid because apparently, these things adapted and found ways to overwhelm anyways. He offered up a silent prayer and readied himself.

As the band left the stage, the announcer walked up to the mike. "That was 'Darby', everyone. Let's give them a big hand." There was another round of applause and then the crowd settled. "Next up we have Sara Ames but first, a word from our mayor."

The announcer gestured and Franklin walked onto the stage, his mind on doing whatever he could to help the people assembled here.

"Thank you," he said quietly. He stood at the microphone on the central stage, unimpressive of stature with a harried look about his eyes, dressed in what his wife called 'expensive casual'. And though she had tried over the years, the truth was that even in jeans and a polo shirt, he still look dressed up. "My name is Franklin Lewes and I'm the Mayor here in Millinocket."

"Ordinarily, I'd be telling you to have a good time and thanking everyone for the many long hours they put in getting this festival together." He sighed quietly, his breath blowing into the microphone, and shook his head. "That's not why I'm here."

"You all know that the CDC declared a global pandemic and issued their recommendation for a shelter-in-place order," he said as he pulled an index card out of his back pocket and referenced his notes. "I'm afraid its a bit worse than that. Because of congestion that's preventing the movement of emergency personnel, the governor has closed the interstate to civilian traffic."

"Now, I know that's going to be a problem, some of you are just here for a few hours. The visitors' center is going to be open round the clock and the staff will help you in whatever way you need. They know the roads, can offer suggestions, and will help you find somewhere to stay if you want to wait it out here."

"Word is getting out and already, I've had offers of spare bedrooms in private homes that can be made available. The Visitors Center has all that information and we'll keep funneling those offers their way." Franklin glanced down at his card again. "Also, First Congregational is offering free meals and help entertaining the kids if you need some time to organize yourselves and figure out what you want to do. They've got a good supply of games and toys and lots of volunteers to help. So keep that in mind as well."

"Now, this is a pandemic. If you're feeling sick, then you need to seek medical attention immediately. This virus, it's extremely contagious and not something you want to handle with orange juice and aspirins. Again, the Visitors Center will have information about local medical facilities and can arrange transportation for you if you don't feel up to driving yourself."

"My own office and all of our municipal facilities are also ready to help. You don't know us, but we're a small town and we look out for each other, So, while you're here, consider us family. Thank you for your time."

 

RSS Feed