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Benefit of the Doubt

I was very saddened to read a letter published in the Nov. 7 edition of the Courier concerning State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-98) [“An Unflattering Portrait” by Michael Sipala]. The writer called him out for disrespecting his constituents by talking on the phone at a gas station and leaving others to wait. He said Sean showed himself to be someone the reader wouldn’t vote for again because of that.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Sean is a wonderful man. He attends every event in town and always has a smile and a nice word for everyone. He puts his whole heart into making our town a better place to live.

We don’t know what that phone call was about. It could have been an emergency, either personal or business. Sean has a brand new baby. The phone call could have been important. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and give him credit for all the good he has done and continues to do. Let’s try to keep our public shaming for times when it’s deserved.

Lisa Latham

Guilford