As temperatures plunge, Westporters’ tempers rise.
Well, that’s not exactly true. They’ve been at a boiling point for months.
Enough is enough.
A pair of controversies — the Parker Harding Plaza renovation, and construction of a new Long Lots School — have evoked passionate responses by residents, on all sides of the many-pronged issues.
Plus plenty of anger, nastiness and personal attacks.
For nearly 15 years, the “06880” Comments section has been a place to share opinions, insights and ideas.
From time to time, it becomes a place of incivility, even venom.
This is one of those times.
Again: Enough is enough.
An elementary school reconstruction plan sparks fierce debate.
It’s fine — crucial, in fact — for Westporters to offer their 2 cents. We need to hear what our neighbors, friends and fellow taxpayers think.
It’s not fine to attack them, impugn their motives, and call them names. It’s certainly not fine to swear at, or about, them.
These are, after all, our neighbors, friends and fellow taxpayers.
Some are just like us: sitting on the sidelines, watching the world of Westport go by.
Some have taken the bold step of volunteering for public service, devoting hundreds of hours to do what they can to help our town.
It’s mind-numbing to watch some of their meetings. It’s mind-boggling to think that’s only part of what they do, for no pay.
And not only no thanks, but volumes of vitriol.
Long Lots School Building Committee members are volunteers.
Even those public servants who get paid — the 1st selectwoman and heads of departments, for example — are human beings. They have feelings and families, just like all the keyboard warriors.
I’ve said it before, in this post and in the past. Now I have to say it again: Enough is enough.
We tell our kids to stop bullying. We lament the polarized state of our nation.
So let’s start modeling the behavior we want. Actions speak louder than angry words.
It’s time to reiterate rules that I’ve made in the past (and unfortunately, as the sometimes overwhelmed Comments moderator, not always followed): No personal, ad hominem attacks.
No accusations of nefarious activity.
No swearing.
Before commenting — or at least, hitting “submit” — ask yourself: Is this really the way I want people to think of me?
Is this something I would be comfortable saying in front of my kids — or hearing them say?
If I heard someone else say it in a public meeting, at the supermarket, or in church or synagogue, what would I think?
Moving forward, commenters will be limited to 3 per thread. Be judicious. Don’t repeat yourself. Address the topic, not the person. Play nice.
Violators will be given a “time out” — banned for a while — just like elementary schoolers. You know, the same kids some adults are writing about.
Westport can be a contentious community. Everyone has an opinion, and there are multiple controversies to have opinions about.
But it is still a community. It’s a small town, filled with neighbors and friends.
Everyone here wants it to be the best it can be. We may disagree on what that means. That’s normal, and appropriate.
That does not mean anyone who disagrees with us is malicious or evil. No one here is out to destroy the town.
Let’s not destroy each other in the process.
Thoughts? Click “Comments” below.