Town Council Rep Should Re-think Facebook Comments

To The Editor:

 I am writing in response to some public comments made via Facebook by Cindy Penkoff, an elected member of our Town Council.  Apparently, a large number of parents concerned about the BOE budget which was decreased by the First Selectman and then again by the Board of Finance, chose to email their concerns to members of the Town Council and attached pictures of their children as a reminder to everyone what is really at stake when such cuts are made.  The Town Council has the power to add back the $ 697,500 which was cut by the Board of Finance or make further reductions if they so choose.  Concerned parents packed the March 10 meeting of the Finance committee of the Town Council, as we listened to Dr. Cialfi and staff plead their case to return the funds to the budget.

 Those who could not attend that meeting, and maybe some who had, took the time to email these messages to their representatives. The following is a direct quote from Mrs. Penkoff via Facebook, “Can I tell you, please? Every member of the town council has children and some, grandchildren. Sending us pictures of your children with you views on the budget is insulting to all of us. It says we don't care about kids and have no idea what effect our decisions have and on who. Please stop.”  Further down in the thread, she then states the following, “The BOE was mortified when I told them about the emails with these photos attached. It was their opinion this was disrespectful to the TC as well as the children themselves. It was also the opinion of the Superintendent.”

 Well, I don’t know when Mrs. Penkoff became the spokesperson for the BOE or Dr. Cialfi, but I will say this…..if ANY member of the Board of Education is MORTIFIED by concerned parents sending pictures of their children as a reminder of what is truly important, then they are in the wrong job for sure!  Further, I invite Mrs. Herbst, the Chairperson of the BOE to issue a public statement that they agree with Mrs. Penkoff and share her view of these emails.    I very much doubt that Dr. Cialfi would share such a view, that he would be MORTIFIED and find it “disrespectful” for parents to express their concerns in this way.  Just because Board members and TC members have children and grandchildren, doesn’t mean they can’t use a reminder of what is important every now and then.

 Mrs. Penkoff, you are an elected representative to the Town Council.  It is your RESPONSIBILITY to read those emails….like them or not….pictures attached or not….someone took the time to sit down and write you their thoughts and they deserve your respect, not to be criticized on Facebook because you didn’t like the fact that they sent you a picture of their child.

 I am sure there will be a response meant to put me in my place, but know this Mrs. Penkoff…the damage is done.  Anyone who heard you speak at that meeting March 10, using time meant to ask questions to gather information, instead to further your own agenda and show outright disrespect to our Superintendent and then saw your Facebook comments, has now seen your true colors and unfortunately, you can’t un-ring that bell..

 This is my opinion but based on conversations I have had, it is, I believe, an opinion shared by many.

 Tracey Lepore