What has happened to the friendly, mutually supportive town we moved to in 1963? Once again I find myself very disappointed by the tone of a letter to the editor in last week’s paper.
The writer was expressing his anger that residents are piling branches from the ice storm by the roadside for pickup by the town, with support from FEMA. As in too many letters by other writers in recent years, Mr. O’Shea disparaged other residents because they weren’t doing things the way he thought they should, rather than finding out the facts or offering help.
In addition to the fact that he has no idea whether certain houses may be inhabited by people who are too old or ill to do the heavy lifting themselves, have no access to a truck or trailer to transport the branches, or may be financially “strapped” and unable to pay a landscaper or tree service, he is also missing the point of a town in which we all contribute to the good of everyone.
Fortunately only a few residents ever need to call the ambulance, the Fire Department, or the police; not everyone has children in the schools or uses the library. But if we are to live together in this wonderful town then let’s all support the common good as humans have done since we lived in caves, and stop criticizing others for using services that we don’t personally need.
Virginia T. Latham
Old Littleton Road
