Re: “Our View: Twomey’s toss an outrageous way to show disapproval” (April 5):

Your call for an apology from the Hon. Joanne Twomey makes a major point, but in itself might deserve an apology regarding your description of her as an “alleged adult.”

I respect the Portland Press Herald and the editorial staff, and agree that her action was highly inappropriate, demanding some sort of retraction or correction, but an apology, I think, must be sincere, and I’m not sure she can do that, sincerely.

She could, I think, say that she regrets expressing her opinion in that way. In reading your editorial, I do very much respect her stance on so many other issues.

I don’t know the mechanisms involved, so I’m not sure that she did “shut down the meeting.” It seems to me that an appropriate response, after her ejection, would have been to comment on what had just happened and then proceed with the agenda. (In my opinion, a leader would have done that.)

It seems that our governor is quite emotional, and Ms. Twomey certainly is, so it’s not surprising perhaps that sparks fly when the two meet. A true leader, however, expects such challenges and responds with thoughtful deliberation, not emotion. I would be interested in knowing if terminating the meeting was necessary.

Finally, whereas in my opinion, our governor has done and is doing a lot that would qualify as being “outrageous,” I’m not sure Ms. Twomey’s act descends to that level.

Richard K. Jennings

Brunswick

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