There is no doubt that this has been a fractious election season in Northampton. It would appear that there is much distress and division in the city.
Abraham Lincoln in 1858 said, quoting from the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament, “A house divided cannot stand.” To paraphrase Lincoln now, we are fearful that, “A city divided cannot thrive.”
It seems to us that going forward, despite deep disagreements on policies, plans and funding, we must find ways to reach out to our elected officials and to one another, with mutual respect and civility, in order to collaboratively find solutions to the pressing issues.
The way we treat each other will be the measure of our community. No doubt our children and our grandchildren will be watching.
Jenny Fleming-Ives and Rev. Dr. Peter Ives
Northampton