Link to 'Glass Houses' editorial: http://www.thecommunityjournal.com/news/2006/0818/Opinion/011.html

'I allowed my anger to get the best of me'

To the Editor:

Although I feel the premise of The Community Journal editorial "Glass Houses," Aug. 18, 2006, is not worthy of a response, I feel my statement, although misquoted, should be addressed.

The Editor of The Community Journal delivered information from the Registry of Deeds about me, less than two minutes before a televised selectmen's meeting began on Aug. 7, an awkward time to begin remembering an uncomfortable situation from 15 years past. I don't regret having had an uncomfortable reaction to it. The editor stated to me "this is gaining momentum."

The information from my past is public to anyone who has the time to dig through the records at the Registry of Deeds or go online. I used my own money to settle all debts and did not declare bankruptcy. On the Public Safety Building Committee, I have neither spending power nor voting power on the $5.3 million project.

On or about May 15 of this year, I was informed that a full-time fire department employee had been inquiring about any property I might own.

On Aug. 9, I had an opportunity to ask the Editor of The Community Journal to explain his statement about a public document "gaining momentum," he told me the information was being shared and "people want to know."

Thinking about a public employee investigating me and assuming he was on the clock, I allowed my anger to get the best of me. I should not have made a blanket statement about an entire department as my anger was fostered by an individual. I also should not assume anything nor make hasty statements.

Before my election, I expressed what I felt were shortcomings in the fire department. Since my election, I have made no remarks regarding the department outside of this event.

I truly appreciate the call firefighters and the services of our fire department. I apologize to those men and women who truly make our fire department work successfully.

Christopher Gagnon,

Ashburnham

Editor's Note: Regarding the above letter, Mr. Gagnon was asked why he apologized for what he said, if he feels he was misquoted?

His answer: "I was misquoted but only in accuracy, not in meaning and it is too many words to add to my editorial. I basically said that they must be overpaid and under worked because they have nothing better to do than dig up stuff on me, thus the apology. If you're going to print my slanderous remarks, you should get them correct."