I am appreciative of your recent article and its attempt to fairly portray Greg Nisbet (“Embattled Portland landlord seen as trusting, flexible with tenants,” Feb. 19).

He represented me as a real estate broker when I bought my house 13 years ago and again to sell it early this fall. The listing was taken down, according to a previous plan, just as the news broke of the Noyes Street fire.

As a real estate broker, Greg is sharply observant about houses and people, informal but hardworking, and has a good sense of humor. In particular, his compassionate and accommodating approach helped to ease a tense tenant situation.

I didn’t agree with all of his advice, and in these subsequent months, his apparent shortcomings as a landlord have become clear. I don’t understand how he apparently let things go so far, but I also don’t understand why a lot of people whom I consider good do what they do. Sometimes that wonderment includes myself.

What I do get is the rush of anger in a situation like this and the swift, one-dimensional judgment, which leads me to ask: What is collective justice?

While the legal process is still unfolding, it is certain that Greg Nisbet has and will be paying dearly for his actions. I am also certain he will be struggling the rest of his life with the deaths of these six young people.

Carolyn Eyler

Westbrook