In announcing that he would not seek re-election to his seat on the Lawrence City Commission, Mike Rundle made a valid point about the need to promote constructive public discourse in the community.

It’s unfortunate, however, that he also chose to point a finger at members of the business community, specifically asking them to disavow those who engage in “unrelenting nastiness” that has been directed at him and others. Anyone who monitors online forums is aware that there is plenty of uncivil discourse on all sides of most issues. In fact, Rundle himself has been known to send some pretty pointed e-mails to people with whom he takes exception.

Any elected official has to expect he or she will be a target of some unfair criticism from the public. That doesn’t, however, excuse people who hide behind Internet screen names as they attack positions or people who are willing to put themselves in positions of public responsibility. Rundle has been in the public eye for eight years now, and it’s understandable he would want to step aside.

While his parting comments carried a sharp edge of their own, the basic message about the need to raise the level of civic discourse is one that Lawrence residents of all philosophical persuasions should take to heart.