Letter: Let’s be honest, forgive, and be thankful

Posted 11/25/20

In the days following an historic election, it has been interesting to see some individuals attempting to put their own spin on the intentions of Bristol’s voters and the local election …

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Letter: Let’s be honest, forgive, and be thankful

Posted

In the days following an historic election, it has been interesting to see some individuals attempting to put their own spin on the intentions of Bristol’s voters and the local election results. They imply that there was some kind of rejection of Democrats — yet Democrats won 82 percent of the local races and the top vote-getter of the town council race was an endorsed Democrat.

Regardless of these logistical gymnastics, local voters came out in force to elect a Democratic president, Democratic representatives in Congress, a continued Democratic majority-led Bristol Town Council, and another term of fully Democratic State House representation. Additionally, for the first time in 16 years, a Democrat will be sworn into the Town Clerk’s office.

It seems a sad parallel to the aftermath of the presidential election: Trump and his supporters are trying to undermine the results, and some local folks are attempting to “creatively interpret” the outcome of our local races to reflect the opposite message of that sent by voters. The election is over and the results are in.

It’s time to move forward, accept these results, and begin the process of healing as a community, offering forgiveness for the hurtful things that were written on these pages, online, and spread around town.

It is also the right time of year to set aside our political differences to celebrate and give thanks to a longtime public servant who leaves office with a proud legacy: Town Clerk Louis Cirillo.

Louis is known around town as a historian, someone you can ask about the many fascinating details of our town’s past. He is also known as someone who is always willing to listen and help folks navigate our local government. And most of all, Louis is known as a gentleman — quick with a flash of his smile and a cheerful greeting.

For the past decade, whenever I have had a question about the electoral process, Louis has readily provided the information I needed — often with additional documents to support my understanding.

In addition, Louis always brought his creative spirit to the Town Hall, whether through coordinated costumes on Halloween (who could forget ‘Monopoly’) or the now famous Potato Head Fourth of July Parade that adorns the countertops of the Clerk’s Office during the annual Fourth of July Celebration.

Thank you, Lou, for your service to our town. We know you won’t be far, and we will keep an eye out for your next great early morning photograph on Facebook.

And, to everyone in our community, I wish you and yours a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Erich Haslehurst
Bristol

Mr. Haslehurst is chairman of the Bristol Democratic Town Committee.

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