Dear Editor:

These are divisive times, according to the pundits. Yet, every day, as I go about my life here in Boothbay Harbor, I meet people who are gracious, kind, and generous. We are neighbors living together in a small community. Are there political disagreements? Of course -- we are also independent thinkers. But we all share a need for love, understanding, respect, shelter, food, and the ability to provide those things for our families. We agree on more than we disagree.

Letters to the editor serve an important purpose. They can encourage a new perspective, or let the community know about an important event. Often they express gratitude or appreciation. Sometimes they are written to shed light on a problem. Those letters are all worth reading. But a letter written in anger, full of hate and lies, doesn't leave room for conversation. It is an attack, not a method of communication. It is best found crumpled in a wastebasket, not printed on the pages of our local paper.

Our towns are not without challenges, But in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, we are urged to “Love your neighbor.” Let's begin to solve problems by expressing that love in thoughtful, constructive, letters written with the whole community in mind.

Barbara Burt

Boothbay Harbor