Time to apologize

As I read the letter from Matthew Valenti (June 26 “Poisoned keyboard”) detailing Steve Meskers’ abhorrent writings directed toward him I felt sicker and sicker. Here was a Greenwich public official treating someone so horribly. Meskers’ behavior reflects poorly on each and every one of his constituents.

One of the things I have found in the many years I have engaged in local, state and national politics is that both Democrat and Republican officeholders and candidates have always been civil to the general public. Sure we may give as good as we get to each other but the general public, never. This is why I’m so shocked by Mr. Meskers’ attacks.

Mr. Valenti was expressing concern about his fiscal wellbeing in retirement and, seemed, like many of us, to be genuinely fearful of the collapsing fiscal health of Connecticut. Mr. Meskers could have ignored him. Mr. Meskers could have responded with a reasoned and intellectual argument. Mr. Meskers, instead, chose to ridicule Mr. Valenti. He was condescending and derisive. He told this senior citizen to go to Hell while implying he was headed to Heaven. And he made sure many people read his remarks.

Mr. Meskers chose to become a public servant. But if you can’t treat the public civilly perhaps you should reconsider whether you should serve.

Mr. Meskers not only owes Mr. Valenti a public apology, he owes all the residents of Greenwich an apology for the embarrassment he caused.

Edward D Dadakis, Greenwich