Cherokee Tribune – Facebook group rally booted for political stance

The Smart Citizens Rally Against Marlow, or SCRAM!, rally planners found a new location after being notified by the BridgeMill Club manager that they could not hold their event at the neighborhood pavilion because of the political nature of the rally.

SCRAM! creator Christine Rea said she was contacted by phone Friday by Club Manager Loui Padgett, who explained that hosting a political event at the pavilion was against the rules for the facility.

The SCRAM! group formed after concerns arose about a complaint District 1 School Board member Kelly Marlow filed with the accrediting agency, SACS, in June, and a petition was created to urge Marlow to rescind her letter.

“Even though we’re disappointed, we are still planning to go ahead with the rally,” Rea said. “A SCRAM! member who lives in the Reserve of BridgeMill, which is across the street from the pavilion location, has offered the use of their yard and giant wedding type tent! We plan to have some SCRAM! members at the pavilion to direct folks to the new location. Because of the proximity, people can park at the park and walk to the pavilion.”

In denying the group access to the facility Friday, Padgett forwarded Rea an email she had received at about 4 p.m. from James Haslam, the director of operations for HMS Golf who helps oversee the BridgeMill club and pavilion, which cited the club rules.

“I do not believe that we can allow this to take place at the Pavilion as it is specifically prohibited in our Club Rules as stated below,” Haslam said in the email before citing the club rules. “‘Solicitations: No demonstration nor solicitation on behalf of any political, sectarian, or other group shall be made in the clubhouse nor on the club property, nor shall printed matter on behalf of any person, party, or legislation be distributed in the clubhouse or on club grounds.’”

Though the club rules state political demonstrations are not permitted, BridgeMill has allowed multiple political events on the property in recent years.

via Cherokee Tribune – Facebook group rally booted for political stance.