After witnessing immature behavior online by state and local leaders, I went to the North Smithfield Town Council to express my dissatisfaction with how our current council models both the receiving of feedback and showing respect for others.

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Good evening, everyone. I want to first congratulate the council on passing the bond vote. However, I hope the council recognizes that regardless of how residents voted, there was a common refrain. Poor communication, poor clarity, and poor addressing of legitimate concerns. I think communication problems are endemic to this council, and that's what I'm here to speak to.

When my nephew says mean things to his sibling, the conversation typically goes as follows: “Noah. What do you say?” “Sorry”. “Sorry for what?” “I'm sorry I said those things.” Noah is eight. Why are our elected leaders worse at communicating than my eight-year-old nephew?

I had written a letter to the editor after continuing to observe that individuals elected to represent our town would go to social media and belittle our neighbors, argue about things that were not under discussion, and were dismissive of legitimate concerns presented by the good people of North Smithfield. All I was asking for was the communication norms of an eight- year-old. Be kind. Apologize when you're wrong, be better next time.

Six hours after my letter was published, Councilman Beauregard had responded. Did he apologize? No. Instead, he doubled down, calling my concerns a debate, a culture war, and a personal attack.

Let me be clear.When you go to a Facebook page titled North Smithfield and you speak about a bond vote, you are representing yourself as a member of this council. When you make comments, you represent the town. Those are our votes that are represented when you write comments. Those are our votes being embarrassed.

Four hours later, Councilman Beauregard went back to commenting, asking if this is how I communicate with my students. We are no strangers to this approach. When two years ago, Councilmen Beauregard called the commanding officer of a resident in the Air National Guard because a resident was disagreeing with him on a public forum.

This is intimidation by a public official. It is an attempt at stifling communication. It is silencing dissent. It is not listening.

Councilman, you asked how I speak to my students. I'm glad you asked. When a student comes to me with a concern in my class, the first thing I do is I listen to them. I do not argue with them. I do no claim their concerns are a personal attack against me. I listen, and when I'm done listening, once the student has expressed their concerns, I say this, okay, and what can I do to help? Maybe they are confused. I want to clarify. Maybe they don't understand. I want give more information. Maybe they disagree I want to find a path to a shared respect of our perspectives and a commitment to continue dialogue.

If you are unwilling to listen, unwilling to reflect, unwilling to receive criticism, then you should be unwilling to serve this town.