Speech Chilling: Residents Pay a High Price for Dissent in Greenwich

The "Letters to the Editor" section of the Greenwich Free Press is no stranger to heated exchanges. From property taxes to residency length, the debate between private citizens is a Greenwich tradition. But when a sitting Town official—entrusted with gatekeeping power over millions in infrastructure—uses their platform to publicly mock a resident for exercising their right to dissent, the issue shifts from "spirited debate" to a question of official conduct.

The recent escalating back-and-forth between Brian Raabe and Karen Fassuliotis started with the town budget and spiraled into a debate over "who belongs" in Greenwich and who is paying their fair share. While the rhetoric between the two has been sharp, the entry of a high-ranking official into the digital fray introduces a different, more troubling dynamic.

Feb 10, 2026 – Karen Fassuliotis published here "The Dangerous Deception – Unmasking the Myths in Greenwich's Property Revaluation." She argued that the projected "neutral" tax impact of the revaluation is a "smoke-and-mirrors routine" because the town's rising budget will cancel out any mill rate relief from the property revaluation.

Feb 15, 2026 - Brian Raabe published this letter here in reply. "Fassuliotis Waves False Flag on Taxes." He dismissed her math as hyperbole and famously told her that if she wanted the low taxes of an "agrarian lifestyle," she should "move to Maine and plant potatoes."

Feb 16, 2026 - Fassuliotis fired back in a letter here. "The Oversized Ladle," mocking Raabe's 25-year residency compared to her 50 years. She accused the current administration of a "spending spree" that is ballooning faster than a "hedge-fund manager's ego."

Feb 17, 2026 - Raabe turned the heat up here in "How do we all get the 30% ‘Town Benefit’ reduction you enjoy?" He publicly called out Fassuliotis for receiving a tax reduction on her own tax bill, framing her fiscal conservatism as hypocritical.

Feb 17, 2026 - Fassuliotis responded here with "I know firsthand what it means to prioritize service over income," clarifying that she utilizes a legitimate, merit-based town program designed to help seniors. She noted her decades of service and stated she makes no apologies for using community support designed to help seniors age in place.

The Shift from Debate to Derision. James Waters—Chair of the RTM Budget Overview Committee and Chair of the Old Greenwich School Building Committee—joined the exchange on Facebook with a personal jab aimed at Ms. Fassuliotis's electoral history and her right to engage in public discourse:

"Just to be clear: Ms Fass was voted out of office this fall, first by her party and then by residents. I'm unclear why she's writing daily LTEs and emails, asking residents to listen, after she spent the past 20 years ignoring residents. Very odd."

This is not the first time Waters’ social media presence has drawn scrutiny. In September 2022, his appointment to the Building Committee was nearly blocked by RTM members citing "inappropriate ad hominem" attacks. He was confirmed only after a formal apology and a promise to "re-set" his online behavior.

Between the Lines: There is a fundamental difference between private residents having a heated exchange and a town fiduciary using their platform to publicly deride a constituent. Residents have a fundamental right to question the budget without facing public mockery from the officials currently in power. When an official uses their status to chill dissent through derision, it doesn't just silence one resident—it signals to the entire community that the price of participation is public humiliation. Let's do better.

Story here