The Reading Post accepts Letters to the Editor. The Reading Post reserves the right to edit or refuse letters. Letters containing hearsay, rumors, personal attacks, name-calling, or anything that could be considered defamation, slander, or libel will not be published. The Reading Post reserves the right to end debate on a topic after both sides have had ample chance to express their views. All letters are posted as received, unless otherwise noted. All letters are subject to editing for style, mechanics, and grammar. editor@thereadingpost.com
To the Editor,
Three of the four Select Board candidates – Karen Herrick, Tony D’Arezzo, and Sal Bramante – have run positive campaigns, and as a resident who is tired of the Select Board discord and bickering, I appreciate that.
Carlo Bacci has run primarily a negative campaign, attacking Herrick whenever possible. He claims, in one campaign video, that Herrick “doesn’t plain like Burbank,” a falsehood, as Herrick was a competitive skater in her youth, and has been a regular user of the Burbank Ice Arena for 30 years. Bacci even reappointed Herrick as SB liaison to the Burbank Ice Arena when he was Chair. By attacking Herrick now, I imagine Bacci hopes to gain the “Burbank vote.”
Herrick has received criticism for not attending the SB retreat. I attended, and I was dismayed by what I witnessed and what has come of the discussions. (I also have documents received through a PRR.) For well over an hour, Melissa Murphy, Haley, and Bacci piled on Herrick, and one wrote that Herrick is “a toxic member who refuses to be a productive, working member of the board.” I know Herrick to be one of the hardest working Select Board members I have ever seen. We don’t always agree, but I have never questioned her motive of working for the good of Reading. She has applied 25+ years of experience as a Town Meeting member, Fincom member, and RHC member effectively, and she consistently works with State leadership to better Reading and bring tax dollars back to Reading.
Municipal leader Jeff Nutting served as retreat moderator. Nutting told Bacci directly to stay off social media, yet Bacci continues to write inflammatory posts on the Rant. Just days ago, Bacci attacked Herrick on his campaign page in a post. Bacci later wrote, “Hello everyone, I deleted my previous post. I plan to focus my campaign on what is needed…” Unfortunately, he has not done that, and he has continued his negative campaigning. Bacci claims to want to move beyond the divisiveness, yet he appears incapable of doing so. He lacks vision, so he attacks and distorts to win votes.
At the retreat, when asked how the Board can be more effective, members responded, “by being respectful… by keeping personal feelings out of the room…” That hasn’t happened. At a recent SB meeting, Haley falsely accused Herrick of revealing Executive Session information. Herrick denied the allegation, but Haley persisted with the false accusation. Haley later admitted his mistake and apologized at the following meeting, but one wonders why Haley did not pause before making a public, damaging, false accusation. This needs to end.
Herrick has demonstrated leadership, shown creativity, and has a vision. D’Arezzo will bring years of experience as a CPDC member and Town Meeting member to the Board. They will lead the town forward positively. They have my votes.
Angela Binda, Town Meeting member
Orchard Park Drive
