It is too bad for Westbrook that the voters opted for the status quo rather than support James Tranchemontagne for mayor of the City.

To make matters worse, the mayor’s remarks in the American Journal Nov. 7 concerning questionable phone calls against her prompts me to speak of a possible smear campaign against James Tranchemontagne to ruin his reputation, affect the vote, and to make him appear to be dishonorable.

All Election Day the mayor and [Councilor Mike] Foley were posting on Facebook that phone calls were being received that put Mrs. Hilton in a bad light.

Election night, Deborah Shangraw, a friend and strong supporter of James, told me of a phone call she received at 5 p.m. from Councilor Foley: “Who made those phone calls? Did James make them? Did you do it, Deb? I’m asking you because you will tell me the truth. Was Rose Marie making them?”

Ms. Shangraw said she was incredulous that Councilor Foley would believe we were capable of doing something so dishonest. She told me that she assured Mr. Foley that she would ask James and me, bluntly, if we made the calls.

When we were asked, we both allowed that the accusation was preposterous. Our good names and reputations, mine, James’ and Deb’s, have been smeared by the Hilton campaign.

It’s possible, in my opinion, that this “whisper campaign” on Facebook affected the outcome of the election.

Fairness demands that Mayor Hilton and Councilor Foley produce facts – names and phone numbers – to back up their claims.

Rose Marie Russell

Westbrook