SOUTH PORTLAND, ME – SHARE Willard Beach - Vote NO on the Dog Ban, a volunteer group of dog owners and non-dog owners who wish to keep South Portland's public spaces open to all, kicked off its campaign to defeat a November ballot initiative with a well-attended rally at Bug Light Park on Saturday, August 15.

SHARE Willard Beach – Vote NO on the Dog Ban is working to defeat a citizen initiative that would ban dogs from South Portland’s Willard Beach for the majority of the year. Campaign leaders who addressed the Saturday morning rally detailed plans to encourage a NO vote on Tuesday, November 3, by educating voters on the proposed dog ban and explaining why sharing of public open space is vital to a healthy community.

Between 50 to 75 residents -- some with and some without dogs -- attended the rally in a strong show of support for a NO vote on the dog ban. SHARE Willard Beach campaign leaders reported sizable numbers of volunteers signing up to assist the campaign and donate to the group’s fundraising efforts to keep Willard Beach open to all.

“We’re encouraged by this outpouring of support, which will be of great help in the weeks ahead as we take this campaign face-to-face to our friends and neighbors in South Portland,” said Tom Ayres, SHARE Willard Beach spokesperson. “We look forward to discussing how important it is to protect public access to a beautiful community resource. Willard Beach is a centerpiece of our city and responsible dog owners play a vital role in keeping it clean and safe. The beach should be shared and enjoyed by all.”

For more information about SHARE Willard Beach – Vote NO on the Dog Ban contact campaign spokesperson Tom Ayres at 207-329-5820, email sharewillardbeach@gmail.com, or visitwww.ShareWillardBeach.org.