To the editor:
In a time and age where misinformation is rampant and fiction is advanced for fact, appointed and elected officials have an affirmative responsibility to respond to false, inaccurate, or misleading information and statements.
Indeed, that is exactly why Swampscott’s town administrator, superintendent of schools, facilities director, school building chair, Finance Committee chair, and Select Board chair were invited to attend an information session at Swampscott’s Senior Center on Oct. 7.
We attended this event at the request of the Swampscott’s All Ages Committee to simply present facts on the proposed new school to the community. We also answered questions from the public that were not shared with any of the panelists in advance. This was not an event that was planned by any of the panelists or the town administrator.
Mr. DiMento claims that the town administrator or panelists pre-screened the questions — this is simply untrue.
It is also untrue that the questions or information presented was one sided. The event was also impartially moderated by a local journalist who asked questions from Swampscott citizens and several independent questions on the project’s funding, educational opportunities, and long-range capital plans and needs.
Unfortunately, there are those who continue to spread disinformation and false information to deliberately influence public opinion or obscure the truth. It is sad indeed that Mr. DiMento has again misrepresented the facts and mischaracterized a good-faith public information session to answer questions from Swampscott’s senior citizens and general public.
Democracy and good government depend on citizens getting the facts — please take some time before voting on this project and learn about Swampscott’s efforts to help balance the needs of all of Swampscott’s students and taxpayers. https://www.swampscottma.gov/school-building-committee
Sean Fitzgerald
Town Administrator
Town of Swampscott
