Dear Editor: I found it painful and sad to read the letter to the editor that maligned not only Councilman David Roberts, but, by implication, a number of his named colleagues. These are people I am friendly with, but I hope I would not rejoice seeing this kind of character assassination applied to anyone, on any side of the political fence. When it happened to me during the City Council campaign, I remember how hurtful it was. Defending yourself is a useless exercise since nothing can really be proved or disproved. Political opponents have plenty of legitimate grist for their mills; economic, social and political issues, job performance and background qualifications; accomplishments and failures, visions for the present and future, to name a few. Is it necessary and appropriate for a community newspaper to create interpersonal havoc, scandal and bitterness by publishing sensational, unsubstantiated letters of vicious intent? For sure, none of us are saints. If somebody gets on our nerves, we strike out or gossip, and then, hopefully, let it go. Are we not all entitled to some level of respect for private boundaries? Even politicians? I would be interested in hearing what other readers think about this issue. Jean Forest