We have had our share of differences with Auburn City Manager Pat Finnigan and, on occasion, found ourselves agreeing with some of her sharpest critics.

But Monday, Finnigan showed character and courage. Coming under fire from three city councilors critical of her performance, Finnigan opted to keep the meeting public and avoid an executive session. Because the City Council was discussing a personnel issue, they likely would have been justified in going behind closed doors.

Finnigan, as the subject of the discussion, however, was given the option to keep things in the open. She took a grilling, as Councilors Bob Mennealy, Donna Lyons Rowell and Belinda Gerry criticized her handling of several issues, including negotiations with city unions, handling of Police Department discipline after the arrest of the mayor and the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments’ failure to pay its property taxes. On all three issues, we have sided with Finnigan’s critics and remain convinced mistakes were made.

But that does not diminish what she did during the meeting.

Finnigan is a public figure with an important job leading Auburn’s day-to-day operations. She is often a target for people unhappy about the governance of the city. On Monday night, when she could have retreated behind closed doors, Finnigan instead faced her critics publicly. Finnigan was not without defenders on the council, but the heat was hers to take.

Holding the fight in public shows Finnigan’s political savvy. The move seemed to catch her accusers off guard and may have lessened the fire directed at her.

The session was clearly uncomfortable and difficult for everyone involved. Three councilors leveled serious charges against Finnigan, which is their right, and she answered them for all to hear.

We don’t believe the encounter cleared the air or changed any minds. Finnigan’s critics will remain so, and it’s possible the atmosphere on the council and between the players will be poisoned. But we respect the city manager for forcing the City Council to govern in public and on the record. Most people would have opted for secrecy. She didn’t.