Dear Editor:
An incident occurred on Wednesday, October 29, 1969, here at Maine West. The vice‑president, parliamentarian, and a few other members of Student Council posted two signs in the Student Council office. The signs stated, "Hi Ray Page. The retarded students of Maine West salute you." A close examination of Ray Page would reveal that this man was involved in a scandal during the past summer dealing with funds for retarded persons. He was never convicted for any charges brought against him. But still, these few, selected students took it upon themselves to convict this man. Many scandals break out. Some are true and some are false. I respect a person's opinion, but when they openly strike a person, as they did with their signs, I wonder if freedom of speech and action is really worth it all.

Mike Fairhead


Dear Editor:
Most people probably have heard that on October 30, while school superintendents from all over the state were here, a sign was posted in the Student Council Office. It read "Hi Ray Page. The retarded students of Maine West salute you."

I would like to take the time here to commend those students who were responsible. To post that sign was an act of bravery above and beyond the call of duty. It is true that in doing this these were misrepresenting Student Council, and the Council is taking appropriate measures. I am not against these measures, because it was wrong to use the Council office.

But as far as the sign itself goes, it was one of the greatest literary gems to come out of this school in years. Ray Page, as you may know, was the person who got involved in a scandal over using the retarded children's fund to pay for personal items and for campaign posters of himself. Many people say it was wrong to post the sign because Page was never convicted. Of course he was never convicted. He is a politician.

But those of us who followed his story can recall the unique pleasure of watching a politician squirm.

People who complain that the sign gave our school a bad image should take notice that about nine out of ten people in this school had no idea who Ray Page was or what he had been accused of. This is by far a worse reflection on our image than a sign will ever be.

Instead of condemning people who are thinking and up on what's happening, why don't we take a look at the vast majority of Maine West students who know nothing about the world that this school is supposed to be preparing us for.

Scott Hayward


Dear Editor:
An all‑school assembly, once a dream, has now become reality. We are now able to seat all of our students in the spectator gym at one time. This is quite a feat, and I'd like to congratulate the administration and the school board on a job well done.

However, I'm worried that the purpose of this gym will be lost. I encourage the administration to have as few of these assemblies as possible. When we have these assemblies, we are swarmed in by the size and because of this, we lose the content of the program.

Take, for example, the Homecoming Assembly. I lost the atmosphere of the event because I was crammed in on all sides. Back in the auditorium, I could relax and enjoy the program; but now the atmosphere is not as effective. I could hardly see the girls because they were blended in with the clothes of students.

The spectator gym is fine. I'm glad we have it; but for programs like Homecoming, let's go back to the auditorium. Let's not worry about how many people can see it at one time, but what they learn from that program.

David Congalton