Larry Koss’s tirade (“Ex-mayor should think of community’s needs,” June 5) about our former mayor personifies the truly ugly side of this community.

To have fought to remove the mayor and then beat up on her afterward is beyond common decency and does nothing to assist the “healing” process he portends. His letter is the moral equivalency of “waterboarding” and is almost as reprehensible.

His attitude is similar to those causing disunity and lack of trust in the first place.

For example, people who covet the mayor’s job, starting with former council members Nezam Tooloee and Bob Scales, along with the current member Debbie Vancil, have been disruptive by trying to undermine the administration at every opportunity.

Their egotistical ranting has not served this community well.

It’s true, the well-organized campaign to change our form of city government won by an overwhelming margin, but I wonder, after watching the results so far, if many of those voting for the change have second thoughts?

Did they really know what they were voting for? Didn’t they know the mayor would become a council member for the remainder of her term?

I agree with Koss on one thing: we need to heal our wounds and somehow find consensus. But he doesn’t help the process by rubbing salt in the wounds.

Darlene Kordonowy has given the last 20 years of her life leading this community in a plethora of important positions – mostly without pay.

I have worked with her and know her dedication to public service (and also know how stubborn she can be on occasion).

I can even understand her wanting to give more of herself and believe that should be her choice, despite the organized criticism. We owe her that much at the very least.

Darlene has earned a solid reputation throughout the Pacific Northwest on the many boards she serves and has gained the respect of that larger community.

She has represented Bainbridge admirably and can do so in the future. She is tenacious and like the rest of us has made a few mistakes. But to blame her for the angst we all feel from an imploding economy is like kicking puppies, and just as tragic.

To blame her for following the dictates of the council-approved comprehensive plan in guiding 55 percent of growth to Winslow is equally fallacious.

If we don’t like the plan then change it. But don’t shoot the person we hired to implement it.

Darlene, there are many of us thanking you for your dedication, your abilities and years of public service, and hope you will continue to serve this community in the future as you have in the past.

Bob L. Burkholder

Madison Avenue