Letters to the Editor: Week of Sept. 27

A plea for civility and promoting the common good in Pound Ridge

To the Editor: 

I am writing to make a plea for civility and for the kind of civic engagement that promotes the common good.

Since the last local election in Pound Ridge, the tone of many letters to the editor, social media posts, and other kinds of public discourse has grown increasingly vitriolic, accusatory, and disconnected from reality. 

It has been disheartening to hear fellow residents repeat unfounded allegations and conspiracy theories with no basis in fact. It has been even more distressing to watch a few misguided individuals devote considerable effort to activities that waste public resources. 

For example, in recent months, one resident has bombarded the town clerk’s office with over 25 FOIL requests that are nothing but fishing expeditions for evidence of imagined malfeasance. 

Another has filed a lawsuit against the town that is based on a fallacy and filled with false accusations. Time spent responding to harassing FOIL requests is time that can’t be devoted to projects that would enhance resident services and make public information more accessible.

Taxpayer dollars wasted defending frivolous lawsuits can’t be directed to meeting actual needs, like an adequate facility for our police department or a new senior bus. 

Attacks and negativity accomplish nothing. There are so many other things we can do that are more constructive, like asking questions, seeking to understand, and proposing alternative solutions. 

Diversity of opinion is a good thing; reckless comments based on rumor and hearsay are not. 

We Pound Ridgers are all neighbors. We’re in this together. We need to do better. 

Erin Trostle 

Pound Ridge 

Erin Trostle is the Pound Ridge town clerk

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The Recorder welcomes Letters to The Editor of 300 words or less, preferably on local matters. Letters will be considered for publication on our website and in our print edition. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday at noon for consideration in the weekly print edition. Please email thane@therecorder.org, or visit our reader submissions page here.

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