It saddens me that because people choose to serve their community as a public figure that they should have to “buck up,” “develop a thick skin,” or “suck it up” when being yelled at or written to in a disrespectful and vituperative manner. Why is it so difficult to debate differences of opinion in a factual and reasonable way? We all get upset and angry when we feel wronged, when we feel powerless. However, it doesn’t seem fair to take it out on the people who are working for the local government. Yes, borough employees have been trained in de-escalation techniques. It doesn’t mean it’s something they enjoy doing. A wise librarian once said that when dealing with difficult patrons, breathe in to calm yourself and exhale to smile. Maybe we all should take a breath before expressing our point of view.
Linda Moyer