A dispute over displaying yellow ribbons in public places took an acrimonious turn with the release of e-mailed correspondence between Mayor Claude Morgan and a South Portland resident who complained about the tribute.

Calvin Muse, who lives off Cottage Road, posted to his MySpace Web site correspondence he received in July from Morgan, who referred to organizers of the yellow ribbon displays as “yahoos.”

Morgan also wrote that Valorie Swiger, lead organizer and mother of slain soldier Jason Swiger, is “the queen of yellow ribbons.”

Muse, an artist, said he decided to post the e-mails after concluding the city was not making decisions in a public forum. “I felt that everything needed to be out in the public domain,” Muse said.

Morgan acknowledged that he wrote the e-mails but says he did not intend to be disrespectful toward Swiger and the others who tied 2,000 yellow ribbons to telephone poles, trees and signs to show support for U.S. troops.

“In my mind, the choice of words is not derogatory,” said Morgan after the e-mail was read back to him. “I consider folks who are plugging along consistently with something as ‘yahoos.’

“I’m a Texan, and where I come from ‘yahoo’ is a rallying cry,” Morgan continued. “When you jump into a project that you’re committed to, you shout ‘yahoo!’ “

Swiger did not respond to several requests for comment.

Last week, she and her supporters agreed to stop placing yellow ribbons throughout the city, which violates a local ordinance that bans posting materials on public property.

But Louis Maietta Jr., a former city councilor and state legislator who supported the ribbon displays, called Morgan’s comments a huge insult.

“That was completely uncalled for,” Maietta said. “This city council’s priorities are out of whack, and South Portland has become the laughing stock of the state.”

Ray Lee, who helped put up the ribbons, echoed Maietta’s comments.

“South Portland is the most unpatriotic city in this country. It is not because of the people who live here but because of a few politicians at City Hall,” Lee said.

Lee said Morgan’s recent efforts to reach out to the yellow ribbon supporters seem insincere based on the mayor’s e-mailed comments to Muse.

“The mayor is the type of guy who talks out of both sides of his mouth,” Lee said, referring to promises Morgan and other city leaders made to consider installing a new war monument, so residents will have a proper place to leave mementos.

The e-mailed correspondence Muse posted is dated from July 8-23. It is a series of responses by the city and the media to Muse’s questions and complaints about the ribbons and why they were not removed from public places.

In a July 8 e-mail, Morgan wrote to Muse: “I’m giving (Acting City Manager) Jim Gailey the week to try to work out something with the yahoos who maintain… the ribbons.”

He also wrote that “Gailey is visiting with Valerie Swiger, the queen of yellow ribbons tomorrow to try to convince the group that they should be spearheading a permanent multi-confrontation war memorial in Sopo. In return, the City will help locate an agreeable sight on City property and the ribbons come down.”

Morgan concluded the e-mail by stating that the ribbons “WILL come down. One way or another. I’m just looking for a solution that will make everyone happy.”

In the same July 8 e-mail to Muse, Morgan wrote that the council was split on whether the ribbons should remain up.

He encouraged Muse to pressure Councilor Linda Boudreau, noting she faces re-election this year. “I’d ask that you email Linda B and tell her that it’s time for them to come down regardless of who’s property they’re on.”

Boudreau, in a phone interview, said she did not know about the e-mail exchange, nor did she get a personal note from Muse.

“I wasn’t aware that (another councilor) was trying to articulate my position,” Boudreau said.

Boudreau said she is satisfied with the ordinance in place banning materials on public property, especially since Central Maine Power stated that people should not tie ribbons on utility poles.

“CMP seems relatively clear they do not want these things on their poles for safety reasons,” she said.

As for Morgan’s written statements about her, she said, “What can I say? I’m offended that he put these things down for eternity for the world to read.”

The last time the council voted on the displays was in the spring, when members agreed to allow the yellow ribbons for one month after the deaths in Iraq of Army Sgt. Jason Swiger and Marine Lance Cpl. Angel Rosa, both South Portland residents.

But the ribbons stayed up and more were added, prompting complaints by residents who viewed them as a political statement supporting the war.

Muse was among the residents who voiced concerns.

“I don’t oppose the display of the yellow ribbons provided citizens have input,” Muse said in a phone interview. “I oppose the fact they were up illegally after the 30-day waiver the council passed was up.”

Muse said he believes any discussion over the yellow ribbons or a war memorial should be done in public. “It trickled out there were strange goings-on behind the scenes, that city councilors were meeting privately with organizers and making promises.”

Maietta argued that Muse is among only a handful of detractors and does not represent the view of residents. But Maietta – like Muse – also believes city leaders have tried to avoid a public discussion on the yellow ribbon dispute.

“The city manager and mayor went behind closed doors and cut a deal” for a war memorial if the ribbons came down, Maietta said.

“But they don’t have the authority. The whole council has not agreed on a plan. It has not even come up on the agenda,” he said.

Maietta opened the Thomas Room, his banquet facility on Broadway, for the Swiger and Rosa families to use, after the two soldiers from South Portland died just weeks apart.

Maietta said he is disappointed that the council does not show more support for the troops as well as the families of Swiger and Rosa. “They could issue a proclamation or have a moment of silence,” he said. “They’re skirting the issue.”

Gailey said the city is trying to respond to concerns. Gailey and Morgan have met with Swiger and her supporters to discuss the idea for a war memorial celebrating all veterans. Gailey said he offered to reimburse Swiger’s mileage to visit war memorials in other communities, so she can suggest ideas for a South Portland monument.

Boudreau said the idea for the memorial originated from Ferry Village residents who suggested placing a monument in a neighborhood park where Jason Swiger played as a child.

“The fact that Valorie Swiger and the Rosa family have been invited to participate in a committee to study a war memorial should not be framed as cutting a deal,” Boudreau said. “They’re logical choices.”

Morgan echoed Boudreau’s view.

“I want to be clear here that the city has made no deal with anybody,” Morgan said. “We’ve heard concerns that the city is making compromises behind closed doors. We are not making deals. We are aiming for compliance with our ordinance.”

As for his e-mailed comments about the yellow ribbons, Morgan said “I fired that thing off. I didn’t mean to offend anyone with it. People need to look at my actions as a councilor. We have taken a firm and fair road to bring folks together in this matter.”