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Dear Editor:
This is regarding William Kemble's article published on April 29 — "Republicans are accused of vandalism" — based on remarks made by Town of Rochester Councilmen Francis Gray and Alex Miller at the April 25 Town Board audit meeting.
There is a rich history of hateful remarks made by Councilmen Gray and Miller during public meetings. In June 2006 Mr. Gray mentioned the "local hate group known as the Republican Club." In October 2006 Mr. Miller objected against Jon Dogar-Marinesco's appointment to a business committee because he was the "webmaster of the Republican Club." At the March 2007 Historic Preservation meeting Mr. Gray predicted that Republicans are going to "vandalize the Veterans Park..." This is not what one expects to hear from elected officials!
I attended the Town Board meeting on May 3, when Councilman Alex Miller gave a speech regarding the article's headline, which he considered to be "divisive crap." Was Councilman Miller right in asking that Mr. Kemble apologize to the Town for his "divisive" headline? I don't think so...
If Mr. Kemble could interpret Councilmen's remarks as he did, our elected officials have to pay attention to what they say. If they mix vandalism and Republicans in the same sentence, the reporter's headline is probably going to include the words Republicans and vandalism...
For those not present on May 3, here is the best part: Councilman Miller said he didn't blame a certain political party, then apologized to all Republicans, while Councilman Gray didn't say a word.
Was Mr. Miller's apology sincere and indicating that unproved accusations should never be leveled again at members of our community? I doubt that.
I believe Mr. Miller's "apology" and appeal to "work together" has more to do with the important laws the Town Board is fighting to pass in the near future, not with sincerity and a desire that what happened never happens again...
The Town Board recently blamed "division" on my "pornography" case when, in fact, division created my case. A February Times Herald-Record editorial stated clearly: "Time for the guilty parties here to apologize, confess and perhaps resign if there is no real explanation."
I still didn"t get an apology. The Rochester Town Board must apologize way before Mr. Kemble!
Manuela Mihailescu
Kerhonkson
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