By Jim Keithley

Staff Writer

    Despite tearful pleas from two mothers with sons
serving in the U.S. military, South Portland City Councilors shot down
a resolution supporting military troops in Iraq.

    It was an emotional evening inside council chambers
last Monday night as Valorie Swiger talked about her 20 year old,
Jason, who is serving in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.

    She was uncontrollably sobbing as she took the podium and pleaded with councilors to pass this resolution.

    “I want him recognized now for what’s he’s doing,” she said. “We owe them, if anything, a thank you.”

    Another mother broke down in tears as she talked about her son.

    Jan Grieco’s son, Scott Hayes, 26, is serving in the U.S. Army.

    She told the council this was a very difficult and emotional time for military families.

    “Give a thank you to our troops while they are
alive, not when they are being laid to rest,” she said. “Often the only
time they hear thanks is when their names are being chiseled into
granite.”

    Councilor Chris Bowring drafted the resolution two
weeks ago and has since divided the council and the community.

    After making some revisions, including eliminating
the reference to Sept. 11, the council still found problems with it.

    Councilor David Jacobs took the most heat in opposing the resolution.

    He wanted to make it clear that a vote against the
resolution should not be seen as not supporting the troops.

    “It’s very difficult for me,” Jacobs said.

    “My heart’s pounding, my hands are sweating, because
if I don’t go along with this then I am seen as opposing our troops. I
don’t think there’s one councilor here tonight that doesn’t support the
troops,” Jacobs said. “I don’t believe this resolution is something we
are empowered to deal with on the local level.”

    Valorie Swiger was so upset, she stormed out of council chambers with her bag of yellow ribbons.

    “I have to leave,” she said. “I can’t stay here anymore.”

    “I think it’s very clear we support our troops,”
said councilor Chris Bowring. “It (the resolution) says nothing about
supporting war or supporting President Bush, it supports our military.
Like it or not, we are there,” he said.

    But Bowring didn’t have the numbers on his side.

    “We should not be supporting resolves,” said Mayor Ralph Baxter. “It’s not our place to do this.”

    With that, the council voted 4 to 3 not to support the resolve.

    Councilors Jim Hughes, Linda Boudreau, Ralph Baxter
and David Jacobs voted it down. While councilors Chris Bowring, Tom
Maietta and Robert Fickett supported the measure.