Colleen Hilton Mayor chilton@westbrook.me.us 2 York Street Westbrook, Maine 04092 Phone: (207)591-8110 Fax: (866)405-0776 Jerre R. Bryant City Administrator jbryant@westbrook.me.us William D. Baker Asst. City Administrator Business & Community Relations wbaker@westbrook.me.us To: The residents and business people of Westbrook The individuals mentioned in my email The Mayor Colleen Hilton The Westbrook City Council From: William D. Baker Date: May 12, 2015 Re: Apology During my 40 years in public life I have often said that if you don’t think stupid you won’t say stupid. In the context of that email, and perhaps in other moments of private reflection, I have done both. This is a selfinflicted wound made possible by my reckless written words for which I am deeply sorry and embarrassed. I am human however and public service can be challenging and frustrating environment. In this instance it caused me to author this “private”, highly inappropriate, but satirical parody to my boss. The improper purpose was to lighten the mood or vent some frustration in the wake of constant taunting from a small group of mean spirited people with a harmful political agenda led by James Tranchemontagne. I live and breathe my commitment to showcase this city in a positive light and I handed the people who publicly denigrate the City, the Administration and hardworking public employees the opportunity to do more damage. I would like to point out that, but for their perverse joy in reading that email to the City Council and sharing it publicly, my harmful words would never have impacted anyone. Those words are not a reflection of how I think, how I speak, or how I treat people publicly or privately. In fact I have advocated in one way or another for every person mentioned in that email and their causes and shown many of them personal kindness and respect. I will continue to do so through my commitment and loyalty to the goal of making our community and this complicated world a better place. I hope the hard working people in Westbrook can find it in their hearts to forgive me for this act of indiscretion which I alone am responsible for.