To the editor:

To the person who stole money at last Saturday’s Winter Carnival at Kennebunk Elementary School, how dare you?
How dare you trash the efforts of countless parents, students, teachers and administrators that went into this event?
How dare you violate one of the few places where children still feel safe?
How dare you mock what KES and RSU 21 have taught our children about mutual trust, respect and honesty?
How dare you set this example for your own kids? Not yet a parent, well how do you plan to teach your kids about honesty when you become one?
How dare you justify your actions by concocting whatever rationalization you have dreamt up? If you were in that much need for money, just ask! I would have given it to you. And I imagine many others would have as well.
How dare you make me answer my 8-year-old when she asked “why would somebody do that to our school?”
How dare you make me look in her eyes when she said, “I wish I was still little like my brother, that way I wouldn’t be scared about all the bad things”
So what are you supposed to do now? The town is in an uproar. The police are investigating. I have to believe you can’t spend that money without compounding the guilt you must already feel. If you cannot turn yourself in, here is my suggestion. Find a way to donate the money anonymously. Whether to the PTA, a church, a Haiti relief organization – just do something. Create some good out of your thoughtless and spiteful act. Money can be replaced. Trust and confidence are not so easy. How dare you?

Matt Fadiman
Kennebunk