I am a lifelong resident of Maine. I moved to Skowhegan in 1984, and to Waterville in 1988. I love Waterville and consider it to be my “hometown.”

One reason I love Waterville is that I have always felt people respected and valued our differences, enriching all of our lives and the community as a whole. I am scared that that respect for differences is being eroded.

I have attended some City Council meetings over the years, most recently since the recall petition has been at issue. I have been dumbfounded to hear myself (by opinion and association) described as the “wealthy elite” supported by “dark money.” I was equally confused when people said I wanted to deny others their First and Second Amendment rights just because I disagree about Mayor Nick Isgro’s suitability to remain in office.

In the end, I do not care the political affiliation of the mayor, the governor, or even the president of the United States. What I care about is how people treat other people, no matter their station in life or their political ideology.

in my view Mayor Isgro, Gov. Paul LePage and President Donald Trump all, over many years, have shown absolute disregard for people who think differently from themselves.

I will vote for the recall of the mayor to be approved. You, in the privacy of the ballot box, can vote whatever way you choose.

That, to me, is freedom of speech, rather than the ability to see how many names or catchy phrases one can come up with as they spew hatred towards those you don’t agree with.

Nancy Sanford

Waterville

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