partisanship where partisanship should play no role. That's our way forward. Agreed, Ellen. (No, I did not see the hit pieces on Mary Kerwin.) If everyone focused on issues and policy instead of personal attacks, we would all be better off. Also it helps when people know each other. I agree with John Kulesz that the internet makes people rude. It's a lot harder to be rude to someone you know, and especially face-to-face over coffee or a meal. So I applaud you meeting with Steve Tegge and some others. We really need to learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. As for the library letter, the overarching principle is that all budgets are one big pot. Money can be reallocated if there is the political will. I was surprised to learn Monday that Troy has a "closed forum" banning all billboards from I-75. Seems like that's an additional revenue source that could be used to fund another day opening at our library or programs at the Nature Center. I understand some people don't like the "eye pollution" of billboards, but I'd be happy to trade that for more programs at OEC. The Troy Historical Society could also seek corporate sponsorships if it wanted to. We need everyone's ideas to make the best stew. I agree, we can certainly do without the negativity from both sides. Constructive criticism, yes. Destructive character assassination, no. Problem is, we have trouble agreeing on which is which, depending on where we sit!