There should always be room for free expression of view without physical threat

To the Editor:
Citizens of Albany County are unusually privileged to have a weekly newspaper editor with the courage and clairvoyance of Melissa Hale-Spencer. Melissa and her staff regularly endeavor to bring readers an honest, clear picture of what takes place at public meetings in the towns and hamlets of the county. 

Recently this has included school board meetings where attempts were made by a small but vocal minority to intimidate — via threat of violence — local officials who were simply performing their designated duties.

In the long-held tradition of New England-style town hall sessions, there should always be room for free expression of view without threat and intimidation — as immortalized in Norman Rockwell’s iconic “Four Freedoms” painting.

Good that we have people like Melissa and her staff who have the courage to spotlight the antics of would-be intimidators — and thereby defend First Amendment rights for all of us.    

Ed Rosen

Delmar

More Letters to the Editor

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.