DEAR EDITOR:

Is there ever a time that a community leader should “flip off a float” during a community parade?

And yes, you read that question right.

During the 2022 Celebrate Poland Parade, Poland Village Councilman Samuel Moffie flipped off a float during the annual parade. Then, to top it off, he admitted to doing it on his public Facebook page saying, “It was his First Amendment right,” and “it wasn’t directed towards the kids on the float.” The gesture, he said, was actually directed toward Isaac Schuster, a local loan officer and half of a local Facebook Live Podcast Show, “The MLO BROS, The Worst Podcast on The Internet.”

Councilman Moffie’s response on his personal but public Facebook page, was that because it was directed at an adult, it was totally acceptable behavior and he was using his First Amendment rights.

Now granted, we, The MLO BROS, (I am the other brother of The MLO BROS Podcast), can be very critical of local government, and we have questioned Mr. Moffie and his fellow councilmen in Poland. We also have questioned and called out the Poland school board, Canfield schools, the city of Canfield, Lowellville council and a whole list of other local governmental entities on decisions being made. But the question remains: Is there ever a time when a community leader should “flip off a float” during a community parade?

Isaac and I can handle being flipped off, and heck, sometimes we might even deserve it. But here is the thing, it was my 11-year-old who was riding on the float to be the first to witness Councilman Moffie give the “one-finger salute.”

When my 11-year-old told my brother the “middle finger had been extended.” Isaac looked over, and Mr. Moffie did it again! Twice in one parade from a Poland Village councilman, directed at a float with kids on it. But since it wasn’t meant for my kid, it was meant for my brother, so all is well in Councilman’s Moffie’s eyes, even though it missed its target and was witnessed by an 11-year-old.

So, please help me understand. Because our podcast questions local government, does that give Poland Councilman Sam Moffie the right to flip off a float with kids on it during a community event?

Please say no.

LUKE SCHUSTER

Poland