Dear Editor:

With all the serious problems and controversy surrounding our town of Boothbay, the last thing residents need to read in our local paper is biased reporting of infighting amongst our select board.

I appreciated select-person Kristina Ford’s letter-to-the-editor, notifying her constituents of open seats. Her methodology may upset other selectmen, yet in choosing to make her personal comments and conduct a town issue, the selectmen lose the validity and value in Ford’s perspectives.

After her scolding - first at a televised public meeting (wasting town’s people time and tax dollars), and then regurgitated in Bill Pearson’s ugly piece - it would be highly ironic to learn if the selectmen failed to inform her of their intention to make her a well-planned item on the meeting’s agenda. (Why not just have a conference call to let her know how you feel? Get over it. Move on.)

Constituents need to be represented and served by adults willing to listen, respect and be open to criticism. If selectmen resent being called a “boys club,” perhaps they could be seen in public encouraging women to run for office, or follow her lead by orchestrating more public information events. (Hers was the first I’ve ever attended, or heard about, in all my 40 years of living here.)

There all kinds of people in our midst. As a longtime resident, witnessing rapid development, I want my town officials to listen, respect and serve divergent viewpoints. Please cease the petty bickering and together focus on important issues.

Paula Arsenault

Boothbay