Shane Assadzandi, Morgantown
Each year I look forward to Morgantown Magazine’s annual “Best of Morgantown” issue.
This past month, unfortunately, has shown us the “Worst Of Morgantown.”
Like many of you, I opposed the purchase of Haymaker Forest because of the cost. I urged our City Council members to vote against this proposal.
Deputy Mayor Mark Brazaitis and I spoke face-to-face. In that conversation, he advocated for a cause that he believed in. Likewise, I firmly stated my opposition. Our conversation was civil and, despite our disagreement, concluded with mutual respect.
I am disgusted by the vulgarity, nastiness and conspiracy theorizing of recent weeks. On Tuesday (June 19), I watched the live broadcast of the City Council meeting via Facebook. I was struck by the contrast between the respectful way that speakers conducted themselves during the public hearing and the crude, inflammatory and hostile comments left by the locals who were watching online.
It’s easy to sling mud at an elected official, and baselessly attack their character, when you don’t have to look them in the eye. Keyboards are like alcohol — they have a funny way of giving people courage that they don’t normally have.
Furthermore, yet another frivolous lawsuit now blemishes the reputation of our otherwise wonderful city. After the litigation of years past, I thought we had reached the point where citizens could resolve policy disagreements like adults.
As a city, we should be able to feel pride in the strength of our collective character. The Haymaker proposal could have resulted in healthy debate. Instead, it became a grade-school food fight that exposed our ugly underbelly. We are all neighbors. It’s time to start acting like it.
