That is a good example. Anxieties has more of a connotation to "fearful with or without reason" than "concerns".  I don't think "concerns" is related to anxieties. Anxieties is more related to fears. Which is odd, as KVAL reported: "But Councilor Mike Clark said homeowners in the area have valid fears." And I believe Wolling used the term "fears" also.  Do people have fears and are fears related to anxieties?

As far as "are ad hominem attacks really any worse than opinion pieces that are dripping with condescension?", that is a separate argument. And if they are the same, using them does not add any legitimacy to their use somewhere else. 
But I think actually specifying the specific word used and the reason is more cogent than offering general personal attacks. Thanks.