News these days, even soft news – such as news on volunteer-run community events – you would not think could possibly elicit negative comments about Wiscasset, somehow does on social media. No need to list examples. If curious, check our Facebook page, often. 

We are used to someone only reading a headline and/or taking as gospel another commenter’s remarks that rightly or wrongly sum up an article’s information. And I can assure you, if we happen to post this week’s column on Facebook, we will get slammed by some of the same people who slam the town.

How about starting all things with hope, and not sarcastic hope, instead of prejudging? This editorial was inspired by comments about a potential “Great American Neighborhood” Wiscasset Economic Development Director Aaron Chrostowsky has envisioned for some of the land off Old Ferry Road, for a range of incomes and life stages.

Overall, that first batch of comments made out like the potential new neighborhood was not going to be a good thing for Wiscasset. One comment contained a series of single words with quote marks around them, perhaps akin to air quotes. If I had not read (or written) the article, I might have thought those were quotes from the article. They were not. 

One comment cited other comments’ “negativity,” and called for holding off on eschewing ideas.

What she said. 

Why do so many comments, so frequently, go right to seeing in the worst light nearly anything the town does? You have your reasons for disapproving of officials’ decisions and ideas, any day of the week; and anyone should respect those reasons. But respectful debate beats cheap shots. And hope makes many things possible.