I think Julian Payne is mischaracterizing the objection to Mayor Nick Isgro’s tweets as a “free speech” issue (“Recall causes chaos in Waterville,” column, April 18). No one would deny the mayor’s freedom to say what he wants. But there are consequences when we say things that are disrespectful of others.

Does anyone really believe that the mayor was right to tell a 17-year-old trauma survivor to “eat it”? Would you want the mayor to speak that way to your child? Would you want your child to read the mayor posting that our 1st District congressman’s vote on sexual harassment legislation was “cucked (excrement)”?

The mayor speaks for our city — that’s one of his jobs. When he says things that are clearly vulgar and disrespectful, I for one think he should no longer have that job. I do not hate him. In fact, if he would simply apologize to David Hogg and the city of Waterville and promise to do better in the future, I would gladly forgive him and advocate for everyone to move on.

Finally, as far as stirring up intolerance goes, it seems to me to be the people who won’t take responsibility for their behavior and try to seek reconciliation who are stirring things up.

Dave Doreau

Waterville

Copy the Story Link