While Supervisor Adam Hill’s verbal assault on Bill Thoma — one of the most respected members of our community — certainly deserved a brickbat, Adam Hill’s contrite and heartfelt apology clearly merits a bouquet.

In this increasingly partisan world, full of elected officials who have mastered the art of playing political dodgeball, it is rare indeed to find one official who has the courage to admit he was wrong and to state it so directly.

Thanks to his apology, hopefully the stage has been set for a more constructive community dialogue on the issue of homelessness and finding an appropriate site for the homeless shelter.