SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

Opinion

Discussion

The Salem News has a real-name policy for commenting. Users may sign in using the Facebook Connect tool above the comments field. Once your first comment is posted by a moderator, all future comments will post automatically. If you prefer not to use Facebook, send an e-mail with your comments user name (which must be the same as your real name), city or town, street address and daytime phone number to comments@salemnews.com. A staff member will contact you directly to confirm your identity. It may take a day or two before you can post comments. Only your user name will be public. All users are required to follow our rules for commenting, which can be found here.

comments powered by Disqus
January 15, 2013

Letter: Disgusted by backlash against councilor

The Salem News

To the editor:

When we moved to Salem 20 years ago, the place was, frankly, kind of sad. It seemed as if Salem had long before seen its “Golden Age” and was mired in a hokey recast of history. However, the past eight years or so have been a renaissance of new growth, new ideas, new residents, new businesses, restaurants, arts and a renewed sense of vibrancy that have made us and our family enthused and proud to call Salem home.

However, we are discouraged and dismayed by the behavior of some of our fellow citizens. Despite the recent difficulties in electing the newest member of the City Council, we never questioned the integrity of the councilors who cast votes. However, the mean-spirited comments displayed publicly and posted online against our Ward 1 councilor because of his votes has disgusted us and others who recognize the contributions of our elected officials and the personal sacrifices that each makes.

We should instead be thanking our councilor for his willingness to serve, to grapple with difficult decisions and to cast courageous votes that may put him at odds with some of his constituents. We regret the actions of those who have insulted the integrity of our councilor and any other who may have been the recipient of these petty insults. It is the elected leadership in Salem that has made our city the energized and attractive destination to live and visit that it has become.

Julie Whitlow

Olga Merchan

Salem

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Opinion

AP Video
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Comments Tracker
Roll Call
Helium debate
Helium