I am thoroughly disgusted at the city of Westbrook’s bungling of the request from two of their firefighters to assist with the hurricane relief efforts. Other Maine firefighters, law enforcement officers, search and rescue teams and medical personnel are already heading south to help. In the meantime, a week has gone by while Westbrook City Administrator Jerre Bryant and Human Resources Director Tina Crellin fret about liability and not having an applicable policy.

A call for help has gone out for fellow Americans who are suffering and dying. Other Maine communities have risen to the occasion and cut through the bureaucratic red tape to send help where it’s so desperately needed. In times of emergency, real leaders take action. In Westbrook, however, they’re apparently too worried about crossing all the t’s and dotting all the i’s.

It’s nothing short of shameful.

Diane M. Nugent

Wells