I had to respond to Cynthia Wharton’s red herring” letter to the editor. First, I am Canadian (born and raised in Montreal, Quebec) and as such I think I can speak with some authority as to what I find insulting.

I don’t find Lina Bellenir’s criticism of the water company being owned by a Canadian firm offensive. It’s a fact and there is nothing wrong with being factual.

What I find amusing is Cynthia’s criticism of Lina was printed simultaneously as The Times led with a story explaining water rates were increasing by 18 percent (effective July 1, 2014). Talk about bad timing, Cynthia!

Lina has been at the forefront of the water issue locally, statewide and nationally. Of all the Town Council candidates, Lina is the most informed on the subject. Now that’s refreshing, someone running for Town Council that’s knowledgeable, passionate and understands a water increase impacts people like myself who work hard to make ends meet.

The crickets around the Fountains have had more to say about the water issue than our existing council members. Not to mention the other candidates. I ask: Does anyone in this town know what these people think? I don’t, and that’s because they’re not out interacting with us: “the residents.” In contrast, Lina shops locally and speaks to the populace: warning about water rate increases that impact our take home pay.

Lina – I hope you win. It’s time the council is injected with some new blood and not filled with disconnected intellectuals whose supporters attempt to educate us about “red herrings” and the meaning of figurative expressions.