Letter to the editor from Louise T. Bavis, Jackie Budkins, Jill Capalbo, Julia Chiappetta, Christine Colasurdo, Patti DeFelice, Irene Dietrich, Debra Hess, Christine Marullo, Linda Moshier, Joan Pellegrino, Jodi Pellegrino, Lauren Rabin, Sophia Scarpelle, Lisa Seglem and Caren Vizzo St. Phillip
We come together because we are deeply troubled by the disparaging comment made at the Democratic gathering on election eve. Referring to someone as a d… is offensive. (Sorry – it was too vulgar to put in writing.) Yet that is exactly what Laura Kostin said when referring to State Representative Mike Bocchino to her cohorts and the media. The video is available for public viewing on social media.
Whether you are a man or woman, Republican or Democrat – we should agree that Laura Kostin’s conduct is reprehensible and should not be tolerated. As well as those individuals in the video that laughed and clapped, who are equally complicit.
As for our newly elected State Representative, Steve Meskers, in his new leadership role, opted not to apologize for this crude comment, but rather chose instead to excuse Kostin’s behavior, which we also find disappointing and inexcusable.
Repeatedly, Laura Kostin has taken it upon herself to judge and criticize others. We cite one such example of her recent harsh criticism of a nominee to the Board of Human Services regarding a post he made on social media.
We feel that there is clearly a double standard here, for she is free to say and act as she pleases without taking accountability. Her actions are divisive and unbecoming – especially for an elected official with apparent political aspirations.
As women in our community, we are concerned, offended and in agreement that being a woman does not give you a free pass to say and do what you please.
We ask our newly elected State Representative, why he would condone a behavior that promotes divisiveness within the district he is about to represent. He has some large shoes to fill and should instead be grateful for Mike’s humility and eagerness to help him transition into this new position.
We are a community, with deep roots in civility and we agree that this new breed of “Greenwich politics” is going down the wrong path.
Is Civility Dead? Is this the new normal? We therefore suggest that Laura Kostin step down from her position on the RTM and take some time to reflect on her behavior. We need people to work together and collaborate for the common good. It appears that Laura Kostin may have forgotten this concept.
Louise T. Bavis
Jackie Budkins
Jill Capalbo
Julia Chiappetta
Christine Colasurdo
Patti DeFelice
Irene Dietrich
Debra Hess
Christine Marullo
Linda Moshier
Joan Pellegrino
Jodi Pellegrino
Lauren Rabin
Sophia Scarpelle
Lisa Seglem
Caren Vizzo St. Phillip