I feel compelled to address what I witnessed during the Sept. 24 Hadley Select Board meeting. I cannot in good conscience remain silent after observing such conduct. What I witnessed was not only disappointing, but it also appeared to violate basic meeting standards. It was clear that the meeting was structured in a way that felt more like an ambush than a fair and respectful discussion.
The repeated remarks about “doing homework,” to the point of distraction, came across as dismissive and self-congratulatory rather than constructive. There was no excuse for the way some members of the Finance Committee, especially my mom, Amy Fyden, were treated. Finger-pointing, yelling, and belittling those who voted differently is childish, disrespectful, and far beneath the standard expected of a public official.
On a personal note, my mother serves this town with integrity and thoughtfulness. I’ve watched her carefully weigh her decisions and put in the time and effort required to make an informed vote. To see her, and others, disrespected in such a way was disheartening. Public officials should be able to disagree without descending into hostility. What they deserve, and what every resident deserves, is respectful dialogue, not ambush tactics and public ridicule.
As a Christian, I believe in treating others with love and respect, even when we disagree. Public service should be rooted in fairness, humility, and a genuine concern for one’s neighbors. What I witnessed instead was hostility and self-promotion, behavior that does not reflect the values this community deserves or the standard of decency we should expect from its leaders.
As a 21-year-old college student, I am looking to those in office to model professionalism and maturity. Instead, I saw behavior that was petty, self-serving, and deeply damaging to the trust of this community. If this is the example set for our town, it should concern everyone.
I urge you to reflect on the way you conduct yourself in public service. Our town deserves leaders who rise above hostility and personal attacks. What I witnessed was the opposite.
Tia Fyden
Hadley