LtE: Code of Conduct for Select Board
Dear Editor,
One wonders why the Chair of the Select Board starts each meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance which is a promise to be loyal to core values of our Democracy which includes unity yet allows personal attacks on a Reading resident from a fellow Board member. The Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "with liberty and justice for all" which implies a commitment to fundamental rights, including freedom of speech yet at the September 16th Select Board meeting a Reading resident was verbally attacked by a member of the Select Board for doing just that, exercising their First Amendment right to express a personal thought and opinion during public comment. A different point of view does not jusify a personal attack.
No Reading resident should ever feel unsafe, intimidated or attacked for expressing their opinion in front of the Select Board . Period.
We live in difficult times where the breakdown of respectful public behavior and dialogue is normalized. It is not normal. We must hold our elected officials to a higher standard than what was on display at the last Select Board meeting.
Going forward there must be a public apology to the resident and to the Reading Community as a step towards regaining trust in the Select Board; the Select Board must create and abide by a Code of Conduct and self police so members of the public never have to; the Select Board has important pending business and can not be distracted by petty personal grievances.
Nancy Docktor
Pearl St
Precinct One Town Meeting member