Last Thursday I watched the School Board meeting in the hope that I would gain more knowledge of the recent repairs at the high school.

According to Chairman Robert Mitchell, members of the Town Council were invited to that meeting to “make comments and ask questions” regarding the sewer problem. He said he wanted to “make sure that all questions were answered.”

I watched the presentation by Norman Justice, listened to board members’ comments, and listened as Councilor Rancourt spoke. And then the tone of the meeting took a dramatic turn. As Council Chairman Steve Ross was asking the questions he was invited there to ask, Mr. Beneman began clarifying some legal points.

However, the discussion quickly took off in an entirely different direction. While Mr. Beneman spoke of those “who like to take a confrontational approach,” I couldn’t help thinking that that was exactly what he was doing with Councilor Ross. Not only did his comments criticize Councilor Ross’s right to vote as he chooses, he also accused him of jumping on the bandwagon of the 4-3 Council votes regarding school issues and thereby contributing to the “tough relationship” between the School Board and the Town Council. Although he said he was not there to “berate” Councilor Ross, that’s exactly what it sounded like. In a condescending tone, he seemed to “scold” Councilor Ross for his past voting record.

I don’t know how this meeting went from simple questions and answers regarding an important issue in the high school to yet another Town Council/School Board communication discussion, but I do know that the change in direction of the meeting by Mr. Beneman contributed to it once again. From the outside looking in, members of the Town Council did exactly what they were invited and asked to do. I may not know all the background, but I don’t think I need to in order to comment on what I thought was an unfair scrunity of Councilor Ross and his many years of service to this town and his right to vote on any issue as he chooses.

I watched the meeting twice – live and taped. I had the same feeling the second time I saw it as the first. I commend Councilor Ross on maintaining his dignity at the end of Mr. Beneman’s comments.

Linda Bidler

Scarborough