Myself, like many others, are completely disgusted with the current actions of Marysville councilman Aaron J. Carpenter. At a recent march, that was intended to support the local high school football team and first responders, Aaron took it upon himself to become the "man of the hour" and did the one thing we all have been trying not to do, make it political. 

To say the current issue now is political is an understatement. The most offensive thing this man did was invite, with open arms, The Proud Boys. A recent search of the accounts this man follows, on social media platforms, are Proud Boy related. As an Army veteran and an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, I was proud of the message that the Marysville High School Seniors were sending out and openly supported the photo and didn't see it as political. Carpenter changed all of that with his actions. Allowing the Proud Boys flag to fly in the same vicinity as Old Glory is disgusting! Plain and simple. This was a slap in the face to every single one of those football players and every single current and past member of the military and first responders. Perhaps telling the controversial group to not hold the flag up would have been the right thing to do. He did the opposite, he took selfies of himself through out the entire rally and invited news coverage to cover him. This is not the time and place for this. He has completely highjacked the meaning and motives from the senior football players. They are all owed an apology for now the photo is affiliated with Proud Boys.

This is not a Democrat vs Republican issue anymore. In a trying time in this nation, we must put country over party, Carpenter did the exact opposite. He actually put himself over his country and party. As he represented both in a way that should not be affiliated. He has proven that he does not have the city of Marysville's best interest in mind and this type of behavior will only continue to cause more controversy, which he obviously loves. Marysville is in trouble right now and is a political hot zone where conversations from both sides need to happen, this will not come close to happening as he will continue to throw gasoline on an already out of control fire.

We need to do what's right for the safety and pride of our beloved Marysville and remove Aaron J. Carpenter immediately.