Letter: Hope, Integrity, and the Challenge of Speaking Up in Dalton
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To the Editor:
Over the last three months, I've had the privilege of working closely with Robert Collins as he made a sincere and determined effort to address several of Dalton's long standing needs. One of the greatest gifts he offered our town was hope — hope nurtured by his refreshing, genuine willingness to listen, help and serve with integrity. His weekly office hours — a simple, transparent act of public service not seen in years — became a quiet but powerful symbol of accessibility and good governance.
Robert believes in taking the high road. He consistently avoided misinformation, personal attacks, or political theatrics, and encouraged others to do the same. It was this approach — grounded in civility and ethics — that gave many residents the confidence to come forward and speak about injustices about which they had long remained silent. Contrary to false claims made during the election, Robert did not orchestrate any smear campaign.
Unfortunately, not everyone embraced that tone. While Robert ran a fact-based campaign, others relied on false accusations and fear to gain support. I have personally witnessed instances of coercion and have heard of the coercion used to pressure residents, including efforts to compel people to remove lawn signs supporting Robert and fellow candidate Bill Drosehn. Some supporters were intimidated into compliance, while others discovered their signs stolen under cover of night.
Also concerning were reports that individuals who do not reside in Dalton — but own property or businesses here —appeared on election day to vote for the first time. These sudden appearances raise serious questions about what inspired such actions. I can assure readers: it was not Robert or Bill who prompted them. (iBerkshires looked into this allegation and found that a few nonresidents did go to the polls but were not allowed to vote.)
As chair of Dalton's Stormwater Commission, I've directly witnessed the value of Robert's experience and insight. He has brought pragmatic solutions and saved the Commission significant time. More importantly, his continued support stands to reduce the long-term costs of upgrading our aging infrastructure — a benefit that will directly affect our tax rate.
Politics in small towns are often personal, and this election was no exception. But when we allow misinformation and intimidation to overshadow reasoned debate and respectful engagement, we all lose — regardless of who wins the vote count.
Let us hope that Robert continues to lend his talent to Dalton, especially through the Stormwater Commission and, if welcomed, the Planning Board. His presence brings reason, responsibility, and a moral compass that our community deeply needs.
Thomas B. Irwin
Dalton, Mass.
