NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter. Send letters to editor@newcanaanite.com to have them published here.
***
I love our town. We are all so fortunate to live here. The natural beauty and community resources are outstanding. We are a community who cares, and we are a community who gets involved. I also want us to be a community who engages in a civil manner, particularly online.
Some of the comments made by readers of this news outlet as well as comments made elsewhere online regarding community issues are awful to read. Whether discussing Arnold Karp and affordable housing, the future of Valles pool at the Y, leaf blower regulations, or anything else that gets us worked up, we need to practice self regulation. To agree on issues is not the goal. You have a right to speak up, to disagree, to share your perspective. That makes our community better. But the snarky comments aimed at individuals and the online “arguments” are exhausting to read and totally unproductive. Before you hit send, please ask yourself: Is this comment productive? Is this comment based on fact or speculation? Is this comment respectful? Would I encourage my children to talk this way? Should I find a better way to vent my frustration?
Rather than making destructive comments online, you might be better off taking a deep breath and a walk around our beautiful town. Everyone here cares and deserves to be treated with respect.
Emily Burns