Race support appreciated

To the Editor:

    Our communities are blessed with committed public servants — firefighters, educators, emergency medical personnel, municipal and county administrative workers, law enforcement officers, snow plow drivers and more.

    Most of the time they go about their responsibilities unnoticed and with little thanks, hearing from the public only when there is a problem or a complaint. We expect a good deal from these professionals every day.
    And some days, probably lots of days, they go above and beyond our expectations. Oct. 5 was one of those days. This was the day of the 18th Race to End Domestic Abuse sponsored by the Spruce Run – Womancare Alliance at the Guilford Athletic Fields.
    Lt. Jamie Kane of the Piscataquis Sheriff’s Department worked with Alliance staff and Jim Wentworth of Monson ahead of time to plan a safe route for runners and walkers. The day of the event Lt. Kane, Investigator Guy Dow, and Sheriff John Goggin were all in attendance to ensure the safety of participants, as were staff members of Mayo Emergency Medical Services. Members of the Dexter, Guilford and Sangerville fire departments were all part of staffing the race route in order to keep runners and walkers safe.
    In addition to these public safety professionals numerous teachers, administrators and coaches from local schools accompanied their students to this event on a sunny Sunday afternoon demonstrating their commitment to community service and taking a stand against domestic violence.
    As we continue to observe National Domestic Violence Awareness month this October, I feel grateful to all of our partners who work to ensure the safety of our communities and educate our young people every day. Thank you.

Cindy Freeman Cyr
Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance