Open letter to Marijane Knudsen

Chairperson, Rochester Republican Committee

Dear Marijane:

It's February 2007 and for about two weeks I — a Republican woman — am in the middle of an ugly turmoil in our town, unfairly accused and humiliated by our elected officials.

You are the Republican party leader — at least in theory — and I would have loved to see you at the short but important town board meeting on February 1, 2007, to talk to you, to know that you are present...

In my native Communist Romania I was forced to be a member of the only allowed party. Always the best in my class, always a valedictorian, I would have been thrown out of college if not a party member. Before coming to the United States I was publicly expelled from the party, being considered a "traitor."

Being able to actually choose a party represented a lot to me. Without hesitation, I became a Republican.

Living in New York City for over 20 years, I knew that my vote didn't count in the overwhelmingly Democratic city... Moving to Kerhonkson, I and my husband, Jon Dogar-Marinesco, hoped that finally our vote would make a difference.

If it weren't for a great Republican — our neighbor Phil Davis, who led us by hand to the 2003 Caucus — we would have had no idea that a Republican Party exists in this town! And that is not right. I remember too well the moment when I first met you: I came to the front table, told you that we moved here in 2001 and participate in such Caucus for the first time, asking you what is the procedure. Not a smile, not a welcoming sign, not a friendly reaction — you looked bothered by the questions and told me to sit down and wait...

If this is the way we, Rochester Republicans, welcome Republicans who move here, it is not right... Honestly, in over 5 years here I do not recall a meeting in which you acted as our leader, our real leader. For me, as a woman, the disappointment is bigger: I want and I need my woman-leader to be a true one!

You disappointed me when you wrote that we don't need a website... Would you elaborate on that, please?! Is this your best advice in the "YOU have the power" society? Do you really feel that today, when everything is customer-controlled, Republicans in Rochester don't need to have a voice? Why? Are you our leader or not?

It seems that everything my husband and I do is wrong and everything you do is right. You opened a General Store and Francis Gray got you a Certificate of Appreciation from the Town Board. Well deserved, for sure. Why you did not allow us to present your store on BusyRochester.com web site, it's really impossible to understand... We dedicated BusyRochester.com to all the businesses in the Town of Rochester. It offers free listings and free classified ads — but I do not recall any instance when this website was acknowledged by the town board...

Surely you are aware that Jon was the only applicant turned down from the Business Committee. Are you aware that the reason — as indicated in public by Councilman Alex Miller at the town board meeting of Oct. 5, 2006 — was that he is the webmaster of the Republican site? What do you think about that? Do you consider yourself the leader of all Republicans?! Are you our leader or not?

Recently we realized that not many people know about our business website but everybody knows the absurd, ugly rumor about a fictitious connection with some porno web site... Is it just a coincidence that the same Councilman Francis Gray is the person who produced the obscene photos during my so-called second "interview"? As our leader, what is your opinion about this? Are you our leader or not?

We obtained the largest preservation grant in the history of our town. No certificate of appreciation yet, not a word mentioned by the officials! Instead, my application to volunteer on the Historic Preservation Commission was "rewarded" with a rumor of being connected to a porno site, accused by people who cannot tell the difference between a web site and a search result if their life depends on it... Surely you can tell the difference and if you knew about the rumor you would have clarified everything, right? Thank you.

Dear Marijane, I saw many true Republicans on Thursday, February 1, 2007. I didn't see you...

Maybe I'm too idealistic but after a lifetime of hating Communist leaders, I want to feel that the my Party leader in my small town listens to me, talks to me, knows me, understands me, my problems and eventually takes my side. Especially when that leader is a woman... I want to be able to respect my leader as a leader... Do I expect too much?

I still cannot stop questioning: what do we do so wrong and you always do so right? What is the secret? How come you are a Republican loved by the Democratic leadership while we are Republicans the same leadership plots against and wants to silence...?!

As I said in one of my other statements, let me clarify: I escaped totalitarian oppression; the United States granted me political asylum to be protected, not attacked or threatened! Please spread this rumor...

Manuela Mihailescu
Kerhonkson

Case in point

Rochester Democratic Committee's "pea-brained" mouthpiece Joanne Still's comment on DailyFreeman.com strengthens the point made in Manuela's letter: Marijane Knudsen, the Chairperson of the Rochester Republican Committee, is the Democratic Committee's darling. She truly is.

Added: Wednesday February 07, 2007 at 11:27 AM EST

Beware of the hidden agenda

The articles by Josh Rinaldi include comments from the Town of Rochester attorney (very appropriately, in this case), from the so-called victim, from the head of the Rochester Conservative Committee, and two prominent and highly vocal members of the Rochester Republican Club. What I find very curious is the fact that there have been no quotes from the official legal entity that represents the Republican Party in the Town of Rochester, and that would be the Rochester Republican Committee.

Carl Chipman and Alysse Ricks are what might be called "Rogue Republicans" — their Web site name "RochesterRepublicans.com" suggests that they represent the Republican Party. Ask the Republican Committee members — do Chipman and/or Ricks speak for the Republican Party?

My point is this: the Rougues are trying to make it appear that the controversy over Manuela Mihailescu's interview by the Town Board is based on political differences. It's not. The controversy is purely personal. If Mr. Rinaldi had attended Town Board meetings for any length of time, he undoubtedly would have recognized the Rogue Regulars by their behavior at the meetings. Sitting in the public gallery with them at Town Hall is like sitting in a middle-school study hall with unruly, bratty children.

It is clear to me — and countless other citizens of this town — that the Republican Club (not the Republican Party — they are NOT the same thing) exists to taunt, divide, and mislead, because their friends lost the last town election. (For example, ask Alysse Ricks what her relationship is to Shane Ricks, who used to be a big shot on the Planning Board but isn't anymore — the "fault" of the Democrats.)

Anybody who's paying attention would have immediately recognized what this so-called controversy is all about. Mihailescu and her cohorts created a non-issue that should have faded out as soon as it happened — with the same non-impact of the childish anti-Town Board road signs that mysteriously appear on Route 209.

I urge the Freeman reporter to really investigate and clarify what's going on here. First, he should read the letters on the Club's Web site showing how the Club members have tried to wrest power from the Republican Committee Chairperson (to no avail, of course). Then he should interview the Chairperson of the Republican Party in this town. Then he should report this story as what it really is: a few pea-brained big mouths with a hidden agenda making a big noise over a big nothing.

Joanne Still — Accord, NY

Click here for the autopsy on Joanne Still's
homework assignment.

Added: Saturday February 10, 2007 at 12:50 AM EST

Shame on you, Joanne Still!

Politics are dirty. Attack dogs are mean. Nevertheless, there are lines which any half decent human being would cringe at the thought of crossing them. Joanne Still, you just crossed such a line.

The damage the Rochester Democrats inflicted upon themselves is not going to be diminished by your silly innuendoes, but if you don't feel for the "so-called victim," who do you feel for? The so-called criminals?

My outrage at your comments has nothing to do with the "so-called victim" being my wife. It's all about you not being candid about who you are: just a political activist answering all battle calls.

If you are in bed with the State Democratic Committee, just say so, don't pose as an offended Jane Doe.

Jon Dogar-Marinesco
Rochester, NY