The conspiratorial extremes of the political spectrum have united in Greenfield. Misinformation seethes, rioters disrupt library groundbreakings, personal attacks on city employees are normal. In this paper, letters use words like cronyism and corruption, serious legal accusations.
Before becoming chief of staff, I served three City Council terms under two mayors. In that time, I saw a councilor raise their voice to a mayor once, maybe. In 20 years, I have never seen such fear to speak out, post a sign, or sign a letter supporting an incumbent.
The abuse was so bad we created a city hall code of conduct, many of us lock our doors when we are home, and some of us left our jobs. Like the health director, and me. I was good at and loved my job.
A man I never met entered my office, shut the door and screamed at me, angry because we could not legally fulfill his request. A man critical of the library waited for me at a restaurant I frequent, hoping to run into “his friend Dani.” Someone posted my address on Facebook. I was told to choke on my raise by a sitting councilor.
Throughout, my rock was RoxannWedegartner. She was supportive when I needed time off. When my father died of COVID she cried with me. She stood with city staff as we watched insurrectionists storm the Capitol, saying it would be okay. She helped make a plan when I needed to resign. She has an exemplary record of getting things done with diplomacy and steadiness — women in leadership roles are often the target of misinformation. I hope voters can see through it.
My (late) mother warned me to watch the company I keep. I worry deeply about some who think they will have Virginia DeSorgher’s ear. Vote Wedegartner on Nov. 7.
Dani Letourneau
Greenfield