As sent as a Letter to the Editor of the Carlisle Mosquito
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent disruptions at our town's Select Board meeting by non-residents who delivered intentionally inflammatory statements. While I fully support the principles of free speech, I believe it is imperative to address the distinction between welcoming diverse viewpoints and tolerating behavior that aims to disrupt and sow discord within our community.
Because the Select Board recognizes that their meetings could serve as a vital forum for residents to engage in constructive dialogue, express concerns, and work collaboratively towards solutions that benefit our town, it has added opportunities for more community input. However, the recent actions of non-residents who sought to derail these proceedings with their disruptions not only hindered productive discourse but also demonstrated a blatant disregard for the democratic process and the rights of our community members.
While it is essential to uphold the principles of free speech, we must also recognize that with this right comes a responsibility to engage in civil discourse and respect the viewpoints of others. In my opinion, intentionally inflammatory statements aimed at inciting conflict and division have no place in our public forums and only serve to undermine the values of mutual respect and cooperation that are integral to a thriving community.
As residents, we must remain vigilant in safeguarding the integrity of our public discourse and stand firm against efforts to undermine the inclusive and welcoming environment we strive to maintain. Moving forward, as the Chair of the Select Board, I will continue to implement measures to ensure that future meetings remain productive and respectful platforms for constructive dialogue, while also affirming our commitment to upholding the principles of free speech.
Sincerely,
Kate Reid, Chair
Carlisle Select Board