Election season brings a flood of opinions. Letters come pouring in, ten times the usual, and each is a piece of democracy in action—your neighbors reaching out with the concerns that weigh on them, hoping their words make a difference. “Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose,” as George Orwell once said. And during these months, our inbox is the fullest expression of that freedom.
We’ve done our best to print the voices sent our way. We published what came in, prioritizing civility, accuracy, and relevance to the town of Greenwich. A few letters were not published and certainly some got lost in the shuffle – for that we are sorry. Our staff often speaks with writers, and, on occasion, debates the meaning of civility, accuracy, and fairness. It’s a task that is both rewarding and, at times, relentless.
These letters give a snapshot of a community in dialogue, one grappling with the issues at hand, and we are committed to preserving that dialogue, even when it presses heavily on the team.
For readers, these letters offer a moment to pause and consider the perspectives of others. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once urged, “Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.”
Election seasons can be divisive, and while each letter may not reflect our beliefs, they reveal something essential about our neighbors—their fears, hopes, frustrations, and, sometimes, optimism. To read with an open mind is not just to respect the writer but to invest in our shared experience, which holds strong even through our differences.
A newspaper is not only for airing grievances or debating policy. It can also be a place to express gratitude, cheer each other on, and recognize the many people who make Greenwich more than a town—a true community.
It is in this spirit that we invite residents to consider writing more throughout the year about the things that unite us, the kindnesses often unseen, the accomplishments that inspire. As poet Maya Angelou said, “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
A simple note of thanks, a letter celebrating a neighbor’s good deed or a student’s success—these moments bind us.
So, this season, read these letters knowing they reflect the effort of your neighbors, not just to persuade but to be heard. And as we move past this election, let’s remember to keep the ink flowing with letters that uplift as well as challenge, with words that unite as well as debate. For in the words of Winston Churchill, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
