The following letter appeared in local media under headlines written by the respective publications: Why forget Ron Santosky? (Blue Stone Press, July 21, page 16), 'View' on Rochester ignored a super board member (Times Herald-Record, July 24, page 19), Rochester Councilman unfairly left out (Daily Freeman, July 26, page A5).

July 16, 2006

Margaret Bonner,
didn't you forget Ron Santosky?

In a letter published in the local newspapers ("Don't believe all those rumors about Rochester") praising good done "without regard to politics" one Town Councilman was purposely left out by the author, Margaret Bonner.

Ron Santosky is the only Republican Councilman, the person with the most experience on the current Town Board. Margaret Bonner is a Democratic Committee member, in charge of Town of Rochester's website.

By stating "Councilmen Gray, Miller and Spano have joined with Supervisor Duke to move Rochester out of the 19th century" Margaret Bonner implies that Councilman Santosky lives in the 19th century, which is insulting. Ron Santosky understood from the beginning the problems related to the Historic Preservation Law draft. He was "grilled" ironically during the April Town Board meeting, but at the Public Hearing, other Councilmen expressed the same concerns Councilman Santosky had a month earlier...

Marge Bonner eulogizes: "These officials have been doing a fabulous job without regard to politics." Isn't this disingenuous, to emphasize "without regard to politics" when you are a Democratic official who omits the only Republican Councilman?

In the same paragraph: "Their decisions have been based on strengthening the whole community, not just a handful of supporters." Really? At the February Moratorium Public Hearing, 75% of the people spoke against it, but the Moratorium passed with 4 votes; Ron Santosky was the only Councilman really listening to the "whole community." His "no" vote got a standing ovation.

At the end of her letter, Margaret Bonner writes: "If you have questions, contact Town Councilmen Gray, Miller, or Spano or Supervisor Duke and get the real truth." What is this supposed to mean? That Councilman Santosky would not tell the truth?! Why is he excluded when the buzz words in town are "unity" and "positive communication?"

Ron's Auto Repair shop is our next door neighbor. Ron was the very first person we met in the Town. In winter, whenever our car wouldn't start, he would come and help, always with that famous smile on his face, never asking us what political color we are. We discovered that Ron is a Town Councilman only at the Republican Caucus in 2003, two years after meeting him! He represents the ultimate in decency. He never mentioned he was a Councilman or a candidate running for re-election. We feel blessed to have him as our neighbor and greatly respect him as our Councilman.

Manuela Mihailescu — Kerhonkson
manuela@oldbrickhouse.com