It’s a sad day for Saugus when negativity, frustration, and anger have turned what should be a proud moment into more bickering, squabbling, and name-calling. I’m referring to comments left on the other Saugus newspapers’ websites regarding the April 24 fire on Central Street. To assume the actions of men who, while off-duty, literally ran into a burning building to rescue citizens only reinforces the belief that the town departments can run at bare-minimum staffing is not only preposterous, it’s ungrateful. During a situation in which most people would run away, these men took action and if not for their quick-thinking, whether on-duty or off, the outcome of that fire could be, WOULD BE, much worse.

In reality, I think the Saugus jakes are the latest scapegoats for a community that is outraged, not at the firemen themselves, but at the town’s financial situation overall. What happened to the beautiful community that my grandparents chose to raise their children in and the community that my parents chose to raise me in?

Instead of leaving misdirected, mean-spirited, anonymous comments on a newspaper website, there are things to do. Take action! Get involved in the process to bring Saugus back to the town we love. Attend town meetings. Pay attention to what the Charter Commission is trying to do. Vote. Fund raise. Even something as simple and enjoyable as attending an event such as the Taste for Education can help. There are people that are trying to change things, such as members of the Youth and Recreation Commission, but they can’t do it alone.