When a “concerned” citizen wanted to complain about the budget cuts at Bakersfield College through an anonymous e-mail address, the writer picked the wrong name to do it under.

The anonymous author used the name of beloved BC professor, Norm Hoffman, who was killed by a motorist in March 2002. The author’s actions are nauseating, and the e-mail’s complaints deserve no attention.

Hoffman, a former health professor and bicycling enthusiast, was not only loved by BC staff and students, but by his family and many other members of the community.

A memorial was established in his name, as well as an endowment to provide annual scholarships to BC students.

Herb Benham, columnist for The Bakersfield Californian, devoted column space to Hoffman after his death.

“‘Norm,’ for those of you who don’t know, refers to Norm Hoffman, the Bakersfield College health professor,”quoted the column. “Hoffman had graduated to one-name-only status. There was only one Norm in town; no one else need apply.”

But the e-mail written to BC staff members brought no honor to Hoffman’s name. Instead, it brought shame to the author, who is a coward.

“I am writing under an assumed name because I fear retaliation,” the e-mail read. “However, I hope you will not follow your initial inclination to disregard my thoughts. I hope you will ask several additional questions of KCCD and the faculty.”

Whether or not the author makes a good argument about the district, the writer has only trampled his or her own credibility.

If the information brought forth in this e-mail was truly important, then it should be brought forth in an open, honest manner. The author should not have stooped so low, especially in a debate about money.

The author also brings forth an issue of ethics, arguing that the money issues of KCCD should be questioned. But using Hoffman’s name is so despicable and unethical that the e-mail becomes hypocritical.

Instead of using the name of a highly respected man who is no longer with us, why not use something more fitting? Why not [email protected]? [email protected]? [email protected]? Or how about using the name of [email protected]?

Certainly any of those addresses would have been more appropriate.

Although it is impossible to track the e-mail address to the author, we all hope that this person will refrain from writing again in the future.

The e-mail was in extremely poor taste and the author should write an apology.