Letter: 'We Could All Take A Lesson From That'

At the last minute invitation of a friend, I attended the Emergency Meeting of the Town Council on Tuesday night. 

Admittedly, I have stayed away from Town Council meetings for quite a while. I have also not closely followed the fire district situation, because I live in the Anthony District. 

First, let me say that I do not like the idea of the Town loaning money to the fire department. In my view, it makes all the taxpayers of Coventry liable for the debt of others. Folks like myself and my neighbors already have a fire district tax, and I think it stinks that we are now liable for another districts financial failures. Selfishly, it does not seem fair or just.  It makes me angry. 

The fact that the leaders of this particular fire district, entrusted by the public they serve, made such a financial debacle out of the district is disgusting.  

Sitting at the meeting Tuesday night, feeling the palpable tension, anger and hatred in the room, I found myself being drawn in to the those emotions – and I had virtually no facts. Before I knew it, there I was, participating in it. Contributing to it. Thinking only of myself. The injustice of all of it to me, a person who already paid her fire district tax.   

As I drifted off to sleep that night, I could not help but wonder what I would have done if I was on the Town Council, or worse yet, the Town Council President, and not just an observer drawn in by the emotion of the day. If I had to make a decision from the position of what is best for everyone in the community, and not just what is best for me, what would I have done?

I’d like to think I would have done what was right, fair and just for everyone, no matter how many people yelled at me and/or disagreed with me. Even if it was not the most politically expedient choice, even if it drew criticism and personal attacks. I think I would stand up and bravely do what needed to be done. In fact, I remember being in those very shoes --- and it was extremely difficult.

These thoughts made me realize that I had allowed myself to be drawn into to the “me me me” mode that seems to have taken over our political discourse – it is visceral and selfish and accomplishes nothing. Every man, woman and child for themselves. Is this really who we have become? Is this who I am? 

Well, it is not who I want or aspire to be. I am a Republican, but I am no longer a politician, nor will I ever again be. In my heart, I know we are more than individuals – we are a community made up of people with needs, with concerns, with spirit and with strength. Our individual rights should always be protected, but our ability to compassionately care for our neighbors and friends, to think beyond ourselves, is equally important.

Mr. Cote and I are very different people. We have different hair cuts, we wear different clothes, we speak differently, our life experiences are very different and our political affiliations are polar opposite. I am sure that he would tell you we disagree on a lot of things. But, Tuesday night, Gary Cote was a better man than I am a woman, and took a lot of heat and emotion from the angry, selfish side of people for it. 

As the sun breaks this morning, I feel compelled to write and tell you that I hate the idea of loaning money to a fire district, but I love the idea of a community made up of compassionate individuals that care and help each other in a time of need. Gary did what he thought coincided with his responsibility to the public and he did it in his way, with his hair cut and in his own language – and that’s ok with me. I’d venture to guess he does not like having to make those decisions, nor all the anger and personal attacks that result, but does so anyhow. 

We could all take a lesson from that.

Laura A Flanagan

Former Republican Coventry Town Council Vice President

(401) 378-3566