There are many great City Council and School Committee candidates this year, many of whom I’m enthusiastically supporting. Politics works best when we are all engaged and when people step up to run for office. However, it has been/is incredibly disheartening to see the rancor and divisiveness of our local politics.

Attacking candidates, spreading rumors and lies, and fear-mongering is not helpful to anyone, and it just pulls us further and further apart. When have we ever accomplished something by being mean? Instead of attacking, let’s listen to one another, focus on the issues, and engage in civil dialogue. People can disagree and that’s ok. It’s how well we learn and engage with one another that’s important.

If you haven’t done so, I encourage everyone to do their research and vote on or before Nov. 4. Early voting started Saturday.

Let’s continue to be well-informed and respectful citizens of the city we love.

Nathan Persampieri
Newtonville