In his letter to the editor [“Words matter,” Sept. 28], Greenfield City Council President John Bottomley accuses Timothy Farrell of “accosting” him at a recent City Council meeting. Mr. Bottomley says Farrell “called me over, raised his voice at me and when asked to stop, called me a derogatory name.”

First, let’s ask ourselves why would Tim Farrell, the chair of the GCET Board, do that? I believe I have a pretty good idea.

Mayor Ginny Desorgher was at the City Council meeting and announced she was continuing to have conversations with GCET around how they spend money because she still has questions. It seemed it was her way not to reveal that she told them she was clawing back about $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money the previous mayor committed to GCET.

Now, do words matter? Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. Mr. Bottomley says, “I strive to demonstrate my values by running meetings with integrity and by showing respect to elected officials, city employees, and members of the public.” But Mr. Bottomley would not allow John Lunt, who is the GCET general manager, to take part in the discussion of the ARPA cuts.

So, in this case Mr. Bottomley’s words have no meaning. There was no integrity in his keeping John Lunt from speaking. Is there any wonder why Mr. Farrell would be upset with Mr. Bottomley?

Here’s the thing Mr. Bottomley and every elected official in Greenfield should know. On March 7, 2023 the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruled in a unanimous decision that the use of “civility restraints” at public hearings violates free speech rights first spelled out in the state constitution by John Adams. The public has the right to pretty much use any words they choose, even when the words used are “rude, personal, and disrespectful to public figures.” And so there it is. Mr. Bottomley may have felt accosted by Mr. Farrell, but so what!

Of course, just because the public has the right to be rude and disrespectful to public figures doesn’t mean they have to be. And God knows I wish the public would show respect to our city elected officials, who essentially volunteer their time and do the best they can. It was painful for me to watch my wife, who was the mayor of Greenfield at the time, go before the City Council month after month and be treated like she was a pinata!

No matter if she was reporting good news or bad news, there would be some councilor that would find some fault in her action. And quite often their remarks to her would be rude, personal, and disrespectful. Oh, and then would come the three-minute speeches by members of the public!

One thing I deeply believe: No one that said harsh, hurtful things to my wife ever gave a damn about my feelings. Or the feelings of my daughter. Or the feelings of my son or any of her friends and supporters. And then again, so what?

Well, I believe there is a so what. I have spoken with several residents of Greenfield who, in my view, would make great elected officials, be that on the City Council or School Committee. Or they could even be helpful serving in an appointed position on a board or committee. But they will not do it. They tell me they may be able to take the heat, but they will not subject their family to the abuse that can come to a public official.

We are living in tough times. Our democracy depends on good people doing good governance, perhaps especially local elected officials. I believe social media has contributed to people feeling free to say whatever they want and to be as mean as they can possibly be. The gloves are off.

I sincerely wish we could get back to civility. But how? Perhaps the Bard gave us the answer long ago: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves.

Richard Wedegartner is a former Greenfield town councilor.