I read with great disappointment comments made on a public Web site by state legislator Michael Vaughn that I found sexist and inappropriate.

On July 12, Rep. Vaughan launched a sexist attack on the professional management team of Dirigo Health through a conservative Web site, denigrating them multiple times as the “Dirigirls.” His comments were in poor taste and unfitting for a publicly elected official.

The members of the Dirigo management team are talented, qualified and hardworking professional women and men. They have tirelessly developed a program that offers low-cost, comprehensive health care to people who would not have it otherwise, and their work is deserving of praise and admiration.

In his comments, he acknowledges another posted message, saying that there is a “society of women running the whole Dirigo operation,” and confirmed that those were the so-called “Dirigirls.”

Rep. Vaughan’s disdain for the worthy program has not been a secret to anyone; but to assault the program managers publicly in this sexist and offensive manner is inexcusable.

I believe that Rep. Vaughan owes the Dirigo program directors an apology, and I hope that he will think about his responsibilities as a publicly elected official before he makes such boorish comments in the future.

Rep. Vaughan might also want to apologize to more than 100 people in the towns he represents who count on Dirigo Choice to provide their families with health care, without which they would have no coverage at all.

State Rep. Will Walcott, District 72, Lewiston

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