I thank you tremendously for publishing the editorial “Charlestown: In desperate need of new atmosphere” (Sunday, June 8). It describes very accurately the situation and the feelings of hundreds and probably thousands of Charlestown residents, and I stress the use of your word “desperate.”
As we move forward to the general elections in November, I hope that you will continue to call for good government and civil discussion in the expression of differing views, and the end to dysfunctional behavior, diatribes, dressing downs, baiting, bickering, and being down in the dirt (all very accurate words from your editorial). A fifth councilor now would have to be a saint and a magician to be able to achieve this with the other council members in place; however, he or she would represent a “swing” vote and hopefully one of professionalism and reasonableness.
Again as we move forward to the general elections in November we are going to get very polarized as a nation between the national political parties, Obama/McCain, red and blue etc. I hope that you will support and emphasize the position that although these parties are very important in national and state elections, they are much less important in small town elections where professionalism and character should be major factors in electing town councilors.
Thanks again for your editorial and please keep up the good work.

John Topping