A letter to the Editor from Sels. Thompson, Gerrish

The Lebanon Board of Selectmen would like to take a moment to publicly respond to the many complaints that we have received over the course of the past several days. Many residents have voiced disgruntled concern in regard to an email of personal opinion, mass distributed by Selectman Jason Cole, and question how Selectman Cole obtained so many residents' personal and work email addresses. Chairwoman Gerrish and Selectman Thompson would like residents to know that Selectman Cole acquired addresses and sent this email to "Lebanon Friends and Neighbors" with the subject line "Letter to residents of Lebanon," solely on his own.

We regret that residents have become upset with a sense of violation of access to their personal email addresses, and although many find the email unprofessional, and of conduct unbecoming of a an elected official, at this present time there are no policies or consequences which can control what a Selectman does. In addition, recent steps have been taken to secure email addresses submitted to the town office website in the future. We encourage residents to attend meetings, and we will always readily listen to your concerns.

Chairwoman Karen Gerrish

Selectman Ben Thompson