Insults Scare Off Volunteers

To the Editor:

As I read with dismay the latest round of insults directed at some volunteers of “Our Town,” I felt compelled to address not only Robert Hennessey [Letter Hive, “Our Town,” November 9] but the league of other citizens who shared their very negative views with all of us. I would like you to realize what you have done. In a conversation with several citizens of Newtown, I brought up the idea of volunteering on various committees and commissions in town. What I heard aside from, “I don’t have the time” was a resounding, “Absolutely Not!” and “Why would I open myself up to being publicly vilified” or even worse, “being sued.”

When someone volunteers to serve, they are not doing it for their own good, but for the greater good of the town and all of its residents. They do it with the best of intentions and while they realize they cannot make everyone happy, they work diligently to have the end result as good a one as possible. All while not being paid, and usually not getting thanked. Therefore, what you have managed to create is a town with many of its residents willing to volunteer but afraid to do so because of the possible consequences.

To those of you who have stepped forward now and in the past, I applaud your good intentions and dedication. To those of you who have won your positions, congratulations. What goes around, comes around.

Sarah Findley

9 Lovells Lane, Newtown                              November 12, 2007