Something stinks

New management at the Westbrook Community Center recently gave the pink slip to Louise Marcellino, one of the most dedicated, passionate, popular, hard-working, well-connected – and revenue-generating – employees the city of Westbrook could ask for. Apparently, the city is so economically burdened that they’ve lost their moral compass and financial priorities. This shocking decision comes after Marcellino’s tenure with the city since 1981 and (more shocking) just shy of a well-deserved retirement.

Since 2008, we hear more and more stories of good people falling victim to oppressive government regulations that stifle the economies of states, cities, and individual households. The city of Westbrook is right to address its fiduciary balances, as all property owners do. But unlike Westbrook’s property owners, we would never throw a family member out on the street to cut expenses.

It’s ironic that the city of Westbrook would prefer to use our hard-earned money to help illegal immigrants and fight those who are upholding the law rather than help save resources in its own fold. Who makes these hypocritical, immoral decisions? City councilors should be ashamed.

Don’t mess with seniors! The hundreds of seniors who benefitted tremendously from Louise’s cardio workshops three mornings a week are but a sliver of the community that will be negatively impacted by her termination. Some may not be inclined to support any WCC programs to take a stand against enabling an impersonal management style that devastates the lives of faithful employees in favor of the bottom line. Boycotting WCC programs may be righteous indignation.

The decision to terminate Louise Marcellino (and a number of other good people in recent years) gives a black eye to the city’s otherwise positive, community-friendly reputation. Plain and simple: This stinks – and who wants to deal with that reputation again?

Louis Philippe

Westbrook