Letter: Councilors are accessible

Regarding accessibility of city councilors by email or phone (“Accessible city councilors essential, paramount,” In Our View, Nov. 26), they were available on Nov. 25 for an open public discussion of issues residents have.

I attended this meeting, brought my issue forward and obtained solutions. Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle gave me good advice about steps to take next. Others were able to voice their concerns about homelessness and street narrowing.

Many attendees, including the mayor and the councilor present, heard their concerns and felt their pain.

This is what community is all about — sharing issues and trying to resolve them. Yet the manners of some who ranted, verbally attacked the mayor and councilor, or brought outside agendas were unappreciated. Due to the verbal aggressiveness of several there, a police presence was necessary to keep the peace.

I agree that emails and phone numbers should be inaccessible to these people who seem to lack politeness or respect in a public forum. Some online businesses have no email or phone numbers listed but an online form to contact them. Written correspondence is more impactful than bad-mannered verbosity. Those rude attendees can pick up a pen and write a letter.