What exactly did Karen Gleason do at the School Audit meeting?

Since I posted my story on last week's Portsmouth Town Hall open session with Berkshire Associates, I've had a couple of questions and comments about the role Town Councilor Karen Gleason played at this session. Questions were raised about the characterization of her "chairing" the session.

I've reviewed and recorded the session as it aired on Channel 18, and have posted two relevant clips to YouTube. In her time at the microphone, she says, "Please come up to the podium, I really do want you to provide your input." Asking citizens for input is a role which I would characterize as a chair-like function. And in the clip from the end of the meeting, she personally thanks people, describes ways of talking to the school committee, and again solicits input. Watch for yourself.

But in addition to the clips, here are some observations. Since I arrived a couple of minutes late, I did not see, nor did the video record, the beginning of the meeting, but Gleason is clearly standing near the podium with Berkshire Associates consultant Mike Walker. She then sat in the front row, immediately next to the podium. During the times that Jack Callahan and Joe Lorenz speak, she can be heard offering amplifications and clarifying points. She adjusts Mike Walker's microphone.

At one point, a citizen asks if they can remain seated for their contribution and Walker says, "I would let you sit there, but Karen is the taskmaster."

When Marianne Raymo is at the podium, Gleason can be heard asking her "Do you have a question?" Raymo quite logically takes exception to the interruption, replying that "Other people were up here talking."

Near the end of the meeting, she takes up a position near the microphone, sitting briefly at the Town Clerk's station.

And at the end of the meeting, when she "wraps up" (second video clip) she specifically says, "Certainly we don't want to stop at the audit," which implies both a role in the meeting, and in my opinion sounds like a town official.

Comments

Honestly, is it me or is Tailgunner Gleason seriously out-of-touch?

She starts by acknowledging that the auditors are working with limited time and resources and need to "prioritize the priorities" (that's focus on the most important issues, in human-speak) and she acknowledges that the consensus in the room is that academics are the top priority. Then, despite everything she has just said, she asks the auditors to "set aside academics" in order to "double-check" that a successful system for security is still working. Is paying someone else to "double check" whether the doors are locked really the best use of our taxpayer dollars? Or is this all just a way for her to describe her contribution to the safety of our children (she invented locked doors, you know) on camera?

I mean, she's on the town council. Couldn't she just ask someone about the security system? Oh I forgot, she apparently doesn't trust anyone connected with the schools to look out for their own security and self-interest. Here's an idea -- couldn't she just go to the high school on her lunch break and try to get in? Is it really that tough to see whether doors are locked that we have to pay auditors to find out?

I think the thing that really annoys me is the implication that she's the only one who cares about the security of TEH CHILDREN (and, of course, the staff, mumble, mumble). That, and her tendency to point accusatory fingers without bothering to (1) learn the facts or (2) address the problems with those directly involved.

On to topic #2 -- the interlopers! She KNOWS there are students from out of district using our schools without permission. I have to agree with you on this issue, Ms. Gleason. I don't like kids from out of town using our schools. Other parents don't like it. Teachers don't like it. Administrators don't like it. So if you KNOW of such cases, Ms. Gleason, for goodness sake, TELL SOMEBODY. NOT auditors. Tell people in the schools -- they can actually FIX the problem. Again, the implication is that she (complete with self-directed thumb jerk) is the only one who cares about this issue. When the reality is that she is the only one too self-absorbed to realize that EVERYONE even remotely connected with the schools cares about this problem. Difference is, they do something about it.

I cannot WAIT until she's up for re-election.

Dear Karen: I could not possibly agree with you more. It is any wonder that the Town Democratic Committee did not endorse her last election. I hope people are paying attention.

And she is brilliant! As a person who served 4 years on the school committee,and elected to town council,Karen has showed just how much it means to have experience,knowledge,and the FACTS.
Just one perfect example...At the town council meeting she asked Driscol for an itemized list of what the school department was going to do with the money,over $300,40 grand of which the town council gives them EVERY year,while stating that she would not vote for it without having such a list in front of her. As far as I know no one has ever asked this request before, and the council has just been shelling out the money to the school department NO questions asked every year. Yes there should be, and ordinarily would be "trust" between the two, However...the school department has been crying poverty, they don't have ANY money for text books and this and that...etc...etc..??? Where is all this money going to then? I want to Thank Karen Gleason on behalf of Portsmouth citizens for raising the tough questions,that no one has dared to before. As tax payers we ALL deserve to know where the money is being used, hence the itemized list.
A gentleman stood up during this meeting and said something that really made sense, just one sentence that really hit the nail on the head..."If we DON'T have a revenue problem, Than we DO have a spending problem"...BINGO! its just that simple, in any area you care to choose from.
I would never vote for something where I did not have the facts before me,and only a fool would, or maybe those who just don't care how much the school department spends, or where,and how they spend this LARGE sum of money coming out of our pockets, EVERY year.
Thank YOU Karen for your concern,and dedication, to the taxpayers of this town who are tired of being treated like mushrooms(being kept in the dark, and fed nothing but bull sh..), who are tired of the lawyers who skirt around these issues,and think that the people of this town are gullible enough to believe them.They justify these actions by saying that some of us don't care about education(as much as others), that is pure nonsense, to associate one with the other is crazy,and its the only thing they have to come back with,rather than to deal with the facts, and the reality of the situation at hand. That cop out statement is getting very old.
You may not like it,or Her, for speaking up. But what you fail to understand is that there are MANY of us in this town who agree with Karen Gleason and back her 100%. How do you think she was elected to school committee,then elected to the town council? She will be re-elected, and someday in the not so distant future she will be President of the Portsmouth town council. I have nothing against Dennis Canario...but this is the way it will be.
I will come back here again just to say I told you so!
Just another example of how intelligent we are out here, it isn't going un-noticed how Mr. Seveney, while President Canario is away, always trys to pull a fast one, trying to slip in things to vote on without the President in attendance, not small issues, BIG issues! While Katzman scrambles to help him out. It didn't work the first time, and it didn't work this last(meeting) the second time either. Hang it up Seveney...it ain't gonna happen, until WE the people of this town,and the majority say so!

Hi, Stormie...
Boy, sounds like somebody's feeling defensive. Let's stick to the topic. What was Ms. Gleason doing at this meeting, other than interrupting regular citizens and patting herself on the back?

About the issue of non-residents in the Portsmouth School Department. Gleason said, "I do know that there are kids from other districts that are here." That's what she said. She "knows." Her words. And she is a Town Councilor, sworn to uphold the Town Charter. Why has she not taken action? Did she "know" this when she was on the school committee? When she was elected to the Council? This raises serious questions. What did she know, and when did she know it?

If Ms. Gleason knowingly remained silent about violations, then, it can be argued, she breached her fiduciary duty to the Town. I believe that the Town Council should, pursuant to Section 206 of the Charter, subpoena Ms. Gleason and compel her to disclose the names of persons whom she alleges are attending Portsmouth's schools from outside our district.

Cheers.
-j

There you go again using the"defensive" word, lol, some things never change. Karen Gleason doesn't need defending. "Lets stick to the topic"...I thought I would throw in this "topic" because I knew you never would. You will never quote her on anything postive,or productive, or credit her with any GREAT idea's that she comes up with, why? because you do not want anything negative said, or even a negative thought,or word spoken, when it has to do with the school department. You do have plenty of negative things to say about Karen Gleason tho'(on this "topic" or any "topic")...It is very obvious as to why,and on which topic you get extremely "defensive" about. So...as far as I can tell/read when visiting this blog, Karen Gleason is the topic...period.
But...getting back to your "topic" , I don't feel that anyone who stands at a podium and welcomes others to join in with their input, is acting in anyway a "chair person", asking others to give thier opinions,and to stand up and join in to discuss what is on their minds, is no violation of anything. You, or I, could ask the same(freedom of speech?otherwise you wouldn't have this blog), I would certainly want to encourage EVERYONE in this town to speak up, and to take part. I found her to be very,polite, compasionate,and caring.
You seem to want to go to any extreme to bash Karen Gleason, once again picking, and choosing(selectively) reasons for it that only You have somehow rationalized in your own mind, not giving any consideration of the fact that many,many, of us in this town DO like her(a lot),and very much appreciate all of her service to the community,her work, time,and effort, that she puts into everything as an ELECTED official,and as a life long citizen of Portsmouth. All of your video's,and your bashing, of her will never change that FACT.

"she is a Town Councilor, sworn to uphold the Town Charter. Why has she not taken action?"

How do you know for sure that she hasn't tried to? It takes more than 1 person to vote,(to get things moving,and done) on these "topics" as you know, and I have seen her shot down more than once when she trys to get something done, I'm convinced that as long as we have the likes of councilman Seveney,West,and Katzman...everything to do with the school department("topic") will get squashed(somehow), and it is of no surprise to anyone that they want an, unlimited,and unacounted for, supply of money running threw the school department, just as you do.
As I have stated before...thats the old days, and ways, back in the time when hardly anyone showd up for public meetings in this town, it is now a thing of the past, We as citizens have finally come to our senses and want to know why,when,where,and how, we have gotten into the mess we are in, after all it is our hard earned money that is paying for everything,and we pay dearly,being taxed to death!. So YAY! for the Portsmouth tax payers for showing up in droves,and for asking the questions that we all deserve answers to. It doesn't matter if Karen is asking as a council person,or as a citizen, just as long as she,and the rest of us, keep on asking!
My question to you Mr. Blogger is why do you get so "defensive" about that?Hmm? And finally...What will you have to say when Karen Gleason gets re-elected again? Hopefully...that will finally put your irrationally bashing to rest.
Thank you for the Welcome back, however it will be short lived once again, because I can see that you are still fixated on bashing the same person over and over. Also I see that although you have more(just curious, i'm sure) readers, yet still only have those maybe 4-5(faithful groupy), same members who actually agree,and respond, to what you blog, that speaks volumes to me on how little weight your opinions hold.
So...take all your little cell phone pics,and video's, of Karen Gleason,and knock yourself out bashing her every word, It isn't, and it won't, change a thing.

Have fun.

Hi, Stormie...
Are you seriously alleging a conspiracy among the Town Council to allow children from outside the district to attend our schools?

Get yourself some help.

I repeat. If Ms. Gleason knows names of those illegally attending our schools, she is obligated by her oath of office to communicate that. Or else, yes, I will continue to call her Tailgunner Gleason, in memory of Tailgunner Joe McCarthy and his never-revealed list of Communists in the State Department.

And let's remember, shall we, how well that served Senator McCarthy.

Cheers.
-j

Wow! Paranoia really does rule you, doesn't it.
Are you "alleging" that Karen Gleason is hiding,and protecting,communists? LOL Now that is a LEAP, even for you. Who is the one getting "defensive" here?
I'm "alleging" that YOU will bash Karen Gleason at every turn,and the three others I have mentioned will continue to try and shut her up on any school department related issues, regardless of the fact that she spent 4 years on the school committee,and has the knowlege that you, and they lack, from the inside,and the outside. Hey...Why don't you suggest an investigation on Karen Gleason by the CIA? LOL...
You can call her any names you wish to, it is your right, as it is mine to call you The Bloated Blogger. Alls fair.We could go back and forth with this all day, but I refuse to go 'round, and 'round, on your little merry go 'round of childish, third grade behavior of sticks and stones.....I also refuse to keep your 4-5 members amused by jumping in to debate this,in order for you to get at least that much response. Its sad, it really is.
When Karen Gleason gets re-elected...I will be back, that is a promise.

Hi, Stormie...
Here's what you said, explaining Gleason's apparent failure to deal with the out-of-district students:

How do you know for sure that she hasn't tried to? It takes more than 1 person to vote...I'm convinced that as long as we have the likes of councilman Seveney,West,and Katzman...everything to do with the school department("topic") will get squashed

The only possible reading is that Ms. Gleason has tried to identify these students, but has been blocked by other Councilors. That is a conspiracy.

There is a simple way to resolve this. Ms. Gleason can name names.

And if you do not understand the use of metaphor to compare Ms. Gleason with Senator McCarthy, let me explain. He had a list, you see, of Communists. Ms. Gleason has a list of out-of-district students. It's a METAPHOR.

Cheers.
-j

ps: Does this mean that if Gleason DOESN'T get re-elected, that you will leave for good?

"conspiracy" was, and is, your word for it, not mine to begin with. That is Your "only possible reading" and your conclusion. Just as you stated that she "NEVER brought it up",without I might add NO proof of this statement, I have stated that "maybe she has"...also without any proof on my part..both are mere speculation, what makes your(non proof) statement any different from mine? regardless of what it implies.
This blog is a free for all,not just for you, if you are going to put out statements without any proof to back them up, then you better be prepared for a response of any(or negative)kind. What I said about being "blocked" or as I worded it"shut her up" was meant to be taken on the school department issues as a whole. So nothing would surprise me at all at this point. They are trying to shut her up.

Obviously you haven't any knowledge of Karen Gleason,her achievements, or credentials, or you do and simply choose to ignore them(bad choice). But just incase you haven't got a clue let me educate you on a few FACTS. Karen Gleason and her family have lived in this town their whole entire lives, One of her sisters is a Portsmouth school nurse, her brother was elected to council( not remembering what year,forgive me Everett), her Parents VERY well respected citizens of this community, Her Father(whom everyone loved,and adored) doing many,many, charitable,honest,hard working things for this community. These are people who would go out of their way to do anything for anybody,without as much as asking for a Thank you in return.
So you see...If I do appear to get "defensive" on the behalf of Karen Gleason, then so be it, It is because I DO know these facts about her,and her whole family,as well as all of the other life long residents of this town do know.
Do you seriously believe that anyone of us will believe you over someone such as Karen Gleason? Do you seriously believe that people will enjoy your bashing, ridicule,and name calling of Karen? If you do then you are the one who seriously needs to "get help"!
She comes from an entire family history of people wanting what is best for the town,and community. You may call this "defending" But I call it the FACTS.
I suppose you wouldn't know anything about that stuff though, because you weren't a Portsmouth resident to see it all happening.
Yes, Yes...I know your grandparents were here living in the house where you live now...please save me that speech again. And I'm sure they were very good people, However you have lived in this town,or state, for that matter for what period of time? You are still a learner! and because of that you had better do a lot more homework on people who have lived here their whole lives,before you decide to rag on them.

p.s. There is NO chance of Karen Gleason not getting re-elected(unless she doesn't want to run)...It is the life time(Portsmouth)people such as myself who will make sure that she does!
News flash...There will be however a few (no names mentioned) that will not be re-elected. Sorry to burst your fantasy bubble.
With all of this said, I will continue to pop in and read from time to time, but do not expect any reply to this last...I have said what I felt was NEEDED to say on behalf (not in "defense") of Karen Gleason(and her whole, well respected,much loved,Family), who have been so involved, and an asset to this community for MANY,many, years.

~Peace(of mind)

I have no argument with the idea that Karen Gleason is a kind, thoughtful person, and that she comes from a fine family, or even that she has, in fact, lived in Portsmouth for her whole life. Her sisters work at Jack's school and have always been caring and professional in their interactions with him. My interactions with Karen Gleason on a personal level (there have only been a few) have always been polite, civilized, respectful.

But being a good person from a respected family does not make you a productive, or even competent member of the town council. If having a talented and respected family were all it took, we'd hear you singing the praises of Patrick Kennedy, and I don't think any of us are ready to blindly jump on that bandwagon.

I can understand that you, and many others in our town, feel affection for Karen Gleason, loyalty to her family, and so on. I just don't believe that's a sound reason for electing someone to government.

I did not grow up in this town. I have only considered it home for a mere 15 years. Three more years and I will have lived here longer than any place I've ever lived. I love Portsmouth and I am committed to helping this community thrive. If you believe my having been born somewhere else somehow makes me a second-class citizen, that is your prejudice and your loss. I hope your mind is not that small.

Whoohoo! I'm happy that we agree on something. However I'm not just going by her kindness ,and her family, I'm also refering to her record,as it shows...She has 4 years on the school comittee,and was elected by the good people of this town to serve again on the town council, I don't think any other woman has accomplished that, and alone it should speak for itself. I also believe that ones charactor, family up bringing,and knowledge that only living in this town ones whole life could possibly teach, is extremely valuble when making my descision on voting for a person. Oooooh Please don't use Kennedy as an example, his family is not that respected in Rhode Island(in my opinion,and anyone I have spoken to locally) there is always the exceptions to the rule however(unpopular), I believe you are mistaken us for Boston!Kennedy's have always been favorites in MASS. ...go figure!
I'm happy that you love Portsmouth as much as I do. And no my mind is not that small so... A very belated,but deserved ...Welcome Aboard! and uumm...well...John too, LOL. I'm always happy anytime I can interject a little bit of humor...its better to laugh than to cry!

~Peace

Hi, Stormie...
Frankly, I have nothing against Ms. Gleason as a person, and I'm sure her family deserves the thanks of this community. I'm only judging her -- as is my right as a taxpayer and a voter -- in her role, and by her actions on the Council.

If she knows the names of people who are stealing services from this town, she needs to say who they are, or she is failing in her oath to uphold the Charter.

It does not take roots in a community to figure that out.

Kind Regards.
-j

ps. Nice try knocking me off message, though.

"ps: Does this mean that if Gleason DOESN'T get re-elected, that you will leave for good?"

In the words of Fleetwood Mac :
"So I try to say
Goodbye my friend
I'd like to leave you with something warm
But never have I been a blue calm sea
I have always been a storm"~

I can answer the question about doors being locked at the High School. The anwer is not all of them. I have entered the rear of the building by the custodian's office on numerous occasions during school hours to pick up fundraiser deliveries without encountering a locked door. Now that I think about it, no one has ever stopped me, questioned my being there, or asked for identification of any kind if I did run into someone and explained why I was there. Kind of makes you go "Hmmm....".

Wow, TDIRott, that's unfortunate. I work in a school where a murder took place some years ago. Believe me, we take locked doors seriously. I'm hoping that your experience, in addition to making us go "Hmmm..." would also make us go "Hey! Somebody needs to lock this door!" Maybe it takes a villiage to keep a door locked.

Welcome back, Stormie. Always interesting to hear your thoughts.

I'm curious about your example of Gleason's "brilliance." You said...
"At the town council meeting she asked Driscol for an itemized list of what the school department was going to do with the money,over $300,40 grand of which the town council gives them EVERY year,while stating that she would not vote for it without having such a list in front of her. As far as I know no one has ever asked this request before, and the council has just been shelling out the money to the school department NO questions asked every year."

I'm wondering which town council meeting you're referring to, and which money (the $300,40 grand). In the town council meetings I'm familiar with, the town council is painfully aware of how the School department spends funds because there is, you know, an itemized budget, and most of them have read it. If no one asked for a "list" before, perhaps it's because they had already done their homework.

The Portsmouth school budget has been picked through by more experts than I can count, and your assertion that anyone is "shelling out the money... NO questions asked" is just... mistaken.

On the other hand, Ms. Gleason is the one who called for a $200,000 cut to budgets (citing a preliminary plan created and subsequently rejected by Dr. Luci and the school committee) and then conveniently forgot that the cut she was calling for would mean eliminating a nurse and a guidance councelor from the schools. Perhaps this is less an accountability issue than a memory issue.

What you may see as "asking tough questions" I see as hurling unsupported accusations. Asking a question is easy. Working together to create a solution is not. I'd like to see a little less accusation and more constructive contribution from Gleason.

I'm also curious about what, specifically, you were referring to when you said "Mr. Seveney... always trys to pull a fast one." That's a pretty serious accusation. Please tell us what you're referring to. The discussion at the last meeting focused on sticker fees at the transfer station and warrants issued last year. Both of these issues have been discussed at length (and in the presence of Mr. Canario). The motions at the meeting were to put into effect actions the council agreed to months ago. So where's the "fast one"?

how you write into your hubby's blog, I guess he needs all the help he can get .
and the fact that you were a Tiverton school teacher isn't supposed to matter, correct?...yeah right. I suppose you got out in the knick of time so as not to strike, and break the law as they did. Funny no debate,no conversation from John on that issue? then again he just couldn't do that could he.
I have just written another response (above) and truthfully I'm tired of going around in circles with your hubby, he is extremely school department bias, as I'm quite sure you are as well. lol...

The first time Seveney tried a fast one was back when it was all about charter change, Canario was out of town for that meeting, and he tried, until Mrs. Melvin stood up and stopped him, she questioned his "rush" to vote, without President Canario present...it worked! Thank you Mrs Melvin. giving you the short version, I'm tired now as I've said...go back and review the tapes.

This last meeting without Canario present he tried to pull another one, desperately trying to rush the vote on an issue that went to a 3-3 split ...review the tape...the man thinks that he is(superman) invinsible,whenever the President is away. In any case I just wanted to let it be known that it is not going un-noticed, uumm I guess at least by most of us? Again..review the tapes,its on record.

" So where's the "fast one"?" ...There wasn't any, Fortunately the people saw through him immediately,and squashed his effort to do so.

Have a nice day.
p.s. "I'm wondering which town council meeting you're referring to, and which money (the $300,40 grand)." ...this was said at the last town meeting that I saw...your hubby is always there I'm sure he could fill you in on it, hmmm..second thought, I would imagine he would leave that part out...interesting isn't it...I know how busy teachers are, and I do appreciate,and LOVE school teachers!Where would we without them? However, maybe you could find sme time to review the last taping,or perhaps watch channel 18. I tape and watch them ALL, 3-4 times,when I have the extra time to do so.

Instead of insulting me, my husband, my profession, my colleagues in Tiverton, Mr. Seveney, most of the town council, and women in general when you don't have an answer to a question, you could just say, "I don't know." Because apparently, you don't know which issue Mr. Seveney called for a vote on and you don't know which money Ms. Gleason was questioning. Do you know that Mr. Seveney is the Vice-President of the council? And that, as such, it's his responsibility to call for votes? Just checking.

If you really watched that tape 3-4 times and can't remember the issue being discussed, perhaps it wasn't the best use of your time. If you're talking about the warrant items, then Gleason's "brilliant" move was to demand itemization of something she and the rest of the council approved (with full documentation) some five or six months ago. It's hard to trace what you were referring to though, since I'm not familiar with the number "$300,40 grand."

Sometimes when people feel that they are going in circles, it's only because they have their heads up their own behinds.

don't get your blood pressure up too high little munchkin woman. You are very rude, and you call yourself a teacher? Gee I thought I was being nice ...I take it all back...you and your bloated Blogger hubby are laughable, no one is listening to your nonsense. Everyone who see's him stuffing his face at Reidy's,and talking like a fool, is just too kind to tell him so to his face, behind his back he is the talk of the town, known as the "blow hard transplant".
Maybe you should take up some(healthy) cooking classes,and leave the politics up to the people in this town who know what they are doing.

"Sometimes when people feel that they are going in circles, it's only because they have their heads up their own behinds." ...At least my head isn't attached to my behind Munchkin.

Really, all you need to say is, "I Don't Know." Because you still have not answered my questions. And I thought you ADMIRED people who "ask the tough questions."

I have not once insulted you. I have not once called you a name. I have not taken pot shots at your profession, your family, your appearance, or even your ability to contribute to rational discourse.

You have gone beyond insulting and rude and are starting to sound a little nutty. I don't know who you're watching at Reidy's because we haven't been there in 15 years. You must be stalking someone else. Maybe you ought to get back to that.

Hi, Stormie...
You were the one who started the name calling. And kicked up all this ruckus because someone questioned why Gleason was inserting herself into a meeting that should have been run by Berkshire.

Oh, and why she won't name names, if she has knowledge of people who are stealing from the Town.

Let's stay on topic.

Cheers.
-j

ps: I think it's actually been more than 15 years since I've been in Reidy's, so readers should use that to calibrate the truthfulness of your other assertions.

pps: "Hey, hey, hey. Don't be mean. We don't have to be mean because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are." — Buckaroo Banzai

Don't drag me into this mess, and besides, to describe this conversation, "Don't tug on that, you never know what it might be attached to" seems a far more appropriate of my famous quotes.
B Banzai

Dear Stormie:

I'm a reader of this blog, but rarely post. I'm posting because you have accused me of wrongdoing and that is not true.

You wrote, "Just another example of how intelligent we are out here, it isn't going un-noticed how Mr. Seveney, while President Canario is away, always tries to pull a fast one, trying to slip in things to vote on without the President in attendance. ... While Katzman scrambles to help him out. "

What are you talking about?

No one "slips" in anything to vote on. Ever. That's the law and every council member knows it. Any council member could always say, "Point of Order" and note we were about to vote on something not posted.

The entire agenda is posted before the meeting. You can find the agenda for the meeting you mention at http://www.portsmouthri.com/towndocs/ag-01-14-2008.htm . You can see the names of all the individuals who put the agenda items on. Absolutely positively nothing was put on that agenda by Mr. Seveney. Further, absolutely positively nothing CAN BE VOTED ON UNLESS it's on the agenda.

That's not politics, that's not spin, that's not a conspiracy, that's not anything else other than the law and the truth. President Canario was quite well informed of all the matters on the agenda. If there was an item he wanted deferred until his return from vacation, he would have only needed to ask and the clerk would have taken it off the agenda and rescheduled it. There was no "fast one" being pulled and if you don't believe me just ask Dennis Canario.

About your example of "The first time Seveney tried a fast one" being "about charter change". I don't need to review the tapes because I was there. The charter change was fully discussed, on the agenda and proper for a vote. It was only the fact that there were people present, (a minority I'll add) who stonewalled the effort so that it was necessary to delay the people's business yet again until President Canario returned. The result, Stormie? The charter amendment was voted on and passed 6-1 with Gleason as the lone no vote.

SIX TO ONE!!!! How is it you think Seveney was trying to pull "something" when in fact the whole council (except for Gleason) was ready, willing and able to vote YES! The proposed amendment then was passed by vote of the people with a double-digit majority percentage of victory. So -- again, where's the "fast one" being pulled. All that happened that evening is that a minority interest in town created yet more delay.

But, back to the meeting of January 14th, you never stated exactly what you think was trying to be done as a "fast one". Go click on the agenda and tell me - was it agenda item New Business 4 or Old Business 2 or what?

Stormie, I don't take it kindly when people make up rumors and lies about me, and you've accused me of helping Mr. Seveney in some attempt to, as you put it, "pull a fast one". So, be specific and let us all know what you are talking about. Tell us EXACTLY what you thought Mr. Seveney was attempting when you say he tried "to pull a fast one, trying to slip in things to vote on." Please make a reference to the numbered agenda item so all the readers here can be on the same page.

Once you tell us all what you are talking about, I'm sure we can discuss in a civil manner the facts of what happened. Until then, however, you stand accused by me of fabricating rumors and innuendo.

What I'm refering to is the issue that was tabled(once again) because of the fact that President Canario was not in attendance. Before Karen, or any one from the town that was there had time to discuss the matter,Mr. Seveney was all too ready(and thought able) to vote it through,he rushes to get things voted on, in a quick and speedy way, I realize it had to be on the agenda for the night, what does that have to do with anything? Regardless of what the topic is, it is VERY evident which way HE wants it to go,without much, or any further discussion, by anyone. He even cut Karen off at one point,saying something like..."its either a yes, or a no vote"the discussion is over...Well some times it is not that cut and dry, sometimes it needs further discussion,and more opinions, from people who don't want things rushed! You Mr. Katzman DO take sides, anyone who watches can see where you are going...always agreeing with just 2 other councilman,but always questioning Karens opinions,and idea's. Another example of when it came down to picking who was going to be on the liason commitee(school audit), Karen asked to be,stating that she had the(recent) 4 year experience,when suddenly Seveney pipes up that he also had a few years on the school committee as well(with an attitude), You of course suggested yourself, and Peter M. and gave your reason why. My question to you is why didn't you want Karen Gleason to be on the committee? do you not trust that someone who has 4(recent) years of school committee service,and experience would be competent for that task? Or is it just that it was Karen Gleason? More recently,and another perfect example, is when the job in finance became open and available, Karen had someone(Webber?) in mind for it, YOU on the other hand had someone else in mind, Never even heard of this mans name before, and as Karen stated ,even tho' you mentioned he was a resident, she said he hadn't been for that long,and that Mr. Webber deserved the oportunaty. And low and behold(but NO surprise to anyone) Mr Seveney stepped in and read your mans credentials,and of course made mention to his degree's. This is my point about you,and Seveney,and West...the 3 Musketeers! And I'm sticking to my words.These are only a couple of examples, I have seen it happen many more times, Who do you think you are kidding here? I don't care Mr. Katzman if you take it kindly or not, take it anyway you wish, I didn't vote for you,nor will I ever. You 3 are together like glue, for the same reason that you are envolved in reading and "rarely" writing in to this blog, John and all his bias ,to the school department issues!...Let me tell you Mr. Katzman that being affiliated with John,and his bias blog is NOT helping you in anyway(big mistake),rather doing damage,that you cannot even imagine yet, until re-election time rolls around, this will come back to bite you in the butt...John loves quotes...so here is one for you Mr. Katzman...you hang with dogs you are bound to get fleas!
You don't have to like me( I don't care),and you don't have to agree with my opinions...but I do have the right to say them,and how I feel,Just as John does here in his daily bias blog.

God Bless America!

Dear Stormie:

First, thank you for your reply. I asked you to be specific and you were specific enough, so now I can go into some detail about the issues you raised.

Also, I want you to know I genuinely appreciate you responding in a basically civil manner without name calling and the like. Believe me it is very hard to serve in public office because people will call you all kinds of unjustified and nasty things, and it is very decent of you to approach me with dignity even though you don't like me and will never vote for me.

Of course, as you said, you have the right to express your ideas. I celebrate that too as the birthright of all Americans. We may not agree, but I'll defend your right to speak until my last breath. You may never vote for me, and that's OK. But, I was elected to the council, twice so far, and I must emphasize that the people who voted for me are taxpayers too and they have a right to have their concerns represented just as much as you have a right to have your concerns represented.

As I said, I want to go into some detail in response to the issues you have listed. But I have two responses, Stormie.

The first response I'll post here. Right now it is Friday evening and I'm about to enjoy some time with my family so I'll wait until tomorrow to draft it.

The second response I want to send to you privately. I want to address your comment relating to Mr. Webber and Mr. Endrusick (the other candidate for the position on the tax assessment board of review) and it is not fair or proper for me to talk about that in public. Mr. Webber and Mr. Endrusick are not public figures nor are they elected or appointed officials and it is not fair for me to write anything about them here. No citizen deserves to have the public discuss them in a blog unless they intentionally inject themselves into the public sphere. I respect anyone who cares enough about Portsmouth to volunteer for public service on a committee so I won't talk about those two individuals citizens here.

I don't know how to reach you because your profile page on this blog doesn't contain a link to send you an email. If I remember how this blog works, that's because you set your privacy setting that way. I respect your privacy and your anonymity, so if you are willing to get correspondence from me, click on my name at the top of this comment and then click on "contact" and you can send me an email to which I can respond. If you want to maintain your email address anonymity, click on one of the "jmcdaid" links and "contact" John and ask him to pass on to me an email address I can use to reach you. You can even create a new anonymous email address just for this purpose. It's easy to do that at gmail.com or at yahoo (I prefer gmail because it is easier but feel free to do whatever you like).

Of course, as a Portsmouth citizen, you should also fee free if you are so inclined, to contact me directly any time. Give me a call. I'm in the phone book. Or, send me an email at LKatzman at PortsmouthRI dot com.

Mr. Katzman for your speedy reply. Pushing all my feelings aside...I have the utmost respect for anyone who takes the time to REALLY listen. I will take you up on your suggestion and email you directly with any further concerns,and questions that I have. I do not want to continue to go down this path of name calling, unproven speculations,and petty arguments over who is right, and who is wrong,who said this, and who said that.
Karen Gleason has unfairly been picked apart on this blog, there is no doubt about that,complete with video's,and selected comments to make her look bad, this I realize is all part of a blog where anyone can say anything against anybody they choose. I choose to deal in facts about the individual,and as I know them as a person,by their service,hard work,dedication,and efforts to make this community a better place for all of us to live. Therefore I'm wasting my time here.

Thanks again Mr. Katzman for (if nothing else) opening my eyes.

Hi, Stormie...
I'm delighted to have hosted this discussion, and whatever the outcome, whatever your position, I celebrate your commitment to our town and the democratic process.

But I take exception to the implication that I have in some way selected comments to make Ms. Gleason look bad. Compare the clips I posted to your repeated watching of the meeting on Channel 18. That's just what she said. I stand by my reporting.

Cheers.
-j

Dear Stormie:

Below are my thoughts and responses to your various statements. For ease and clarity, I’m adopting a format where your comments are first set forth in italics, and then my thoughts in response follow in regular text.

Originally, I intended to focus my remarks to just the narrow point about your accusation that “Seveney, ... trys to pull a fast one, ... While Katzman scrambles to help him out.” But, as long as I’m here and dedicating time on a snowy Sunday afternoon, I’ll speak to a number of the matters you raise, but I’m not going to address everything, like the ignorant insulting cheap shot at lawyers, for example. That means that this has turned out to be really long. I hope you get something out of it all.

As I mentioned before, I have a response to you on the Webber / Endrusick / Tax Assessment Board of Review issue which I’m happy to address privately through email. I can be reached at LKatzman [at] PortsmouthRI [dot] com or you can call me on the telephone if you wish. I will also address that issue to some degree here.

Now – on with the show!

Stormie said: “Just one perfect example...At the town council meeting she asked Driscol for an itemized list of what the school department was going to do with the money, over $300,40 grand of which the town council gives them EVERY year, while stating that she would not vote for it without having such a list in front of her. As far as I know no one has ever asked this request before, and the council has just been shelling out the money to the school department NO questions asked every year.”

Not true. I assume you’re referring to the warrant items that were the subject of the agenda item at the recent council meeting. Total school warrants are $700,000 of which 350K are for building repairs and maintenance and 350K are for technology acquisition and upkeep. Also on the agenda were $344,836. in bonds for financing road repair and resurfacing and the purchase of town equipment.

All of these were fully discussed and disclosed during our budget debates last spring. We received a complete itemization from the school department as to what this money was to be used for. It was a contentious debate and initially the council refused to fund the school warrant items. What followed were various financial analyses and negotiations between the superintendent, the town administrator, the town finance director and the school department finance director, as well as guidance from the school committee finance subcommittee chair and council president Canario. With certain modifications to the budget agreed upon by those parties, President Canario advocated for approval of the school warrant items at the next council meeting with the understanding that (1) the closing of the Prudence Island school would be deferred for at least one year and (2) future years of warrant items might be handled differently.

But, all that detail aside, YES the council has asked for and been provided with a detailed list of expenditures relating to the school warrants and, NO, emphatically NO NO NO the council has NOT just been “shelling out the money to the school department no questions asked every year.” That statement is demonstrably, provably, just-watch-the-tapes-it’s-wrong false. We ask hard questions every year -- at least every year since I was elected. I can’t speak to whatever happened before that.

Stormie said: “school department has been crying poverty, they don't have ANY money for text books and this and that...etc...etc..??? Where is all this money going to then? I want to Thank Karen Gleason on behalf of Portsmouth citizens for raising the tough questions, that no one has dared to before.”

Where is the money going? It’s all set forth in a detailed budget several hundred pages long. It’s not pleasant to have to spend the time to read a budget that lengthy, but that’s the reality of a multi-million dollar school budget. The answers are out there, on websites and at the school department offices. As for Karen being the only person to ask tough questions no one has “dared” ask, that’s also refutable by the record. It’s also just plain insulting to me and I imagine also to President Canario, to Councilman McIntyre / formerly President McIntyre, to councilman Seveney, to former President Edwards, to councilman West, to councilman Little and to scores of other dedicated hard-working council members now and in years past. We all ask hard questions. That’s our job. Anyone who charges we do otherwise doesn’t know what they are talking about and certainly has never stepped into our shoes. The job is tough and thankless and you can never please everyone, but we take the job seriously and do the hard work. All of us.

And now for the meaty part:

Stormie (in separate posts) said: “ Just another example of how intelligent we are out here, it isn't going un-noticed how Mr. Seveney, while President Canario is away, always trys to pull a fast one, trying to slip in things to vote on without the President in attendance, not small issues, BIG issues! While Katzman scrambles to help him out. It didn't work the first time, and it didn't work this last(meeting) the second time either. Hang it up Seveney...it ain't gonna happen, until WE the people of this town, and the majority say so!”

[...]

“The first time Seveney tried a fast one was back when it was all about charter change, Canario was out of town for that meeting, and he tried, until Mrs. Melvin stood up and stopped him, she questioned his "rush" to vote, without President Canario present...it worked! Thank you Mrs Melvin. giving you the short version, I'm tired now as I've said...go back and review the tapes.”

“This last meeting without Canario present he tried to pull another one, desperately trying to rush the vote on an issue that went to a 3-3 split ...review the tape...the man thinks that he is(superman) invinsible,whenever the President is away. In any case I just wanted to let it be known that it is not going un-noticed, uumm I guess at least by most of us? Again.. review the tapes,its on record.”

I already explained how no fast one can be pulled, to use your terms, because the agenda item was posted. You then asked, “I realize it had to be on the agenda for the night, what does that have to do with anything?” Well, it has to do with you. You characterize a councilmember’s actions as trying to do something sinister, when in fact everything is out in the open.

On the charter change issue, you characterize Seveney’s actions as trying to rush things through to a vote. Let me give you a different perspective, my perspective, which was shared by well over 500 Portsmouth citizens who wrote in a petition to the council expressing their view. That perspective of the 500+people who sent in that petition was this: get the Carceller charter amendment on the ballot now! Don’t delay, don’t change it, don’t refer it to a committee, just vote NOW to put it before the people of Portsmouth for a vote!

Mrs. Melvin was not, in my opinion, trying to further the debate and better discuss and analyze the issues or any other such well-intentioned thing. Mrs. Melvin was trying to delay the vote and had no intention of getting a better understanding of the issue. Rather, in my opinion, her sole intent was to delay delay delay, by any means she and her PCC friends could, in the hopes that the charter change effort would somehow die. You speak of Mrs. Melvin as though she is just an ordinary citizen with an open mind trying to understand the issue, but she is not. She is a leader in the PCC, a lobbying organization that was openly opposed to the charter amendment. You close out your accusation with, “Hang it up Seveney...it ain't gonna happen, until WE the people of this town, and the majority say so!” Well, Stormie, if we followed your path, the people of the town of Portsmouth would never have had the opportunity to vote and NEED I REMIND YOU that the majority did say so on the charter change, the majority said, Yes! If we followed the path advocated by Melvin, we still would not have voted on it and, if the PCC had their way, we never would.

You see a “fast one” and I see stonewalling. We won’t agree on this one. Melvin to you is your hero. Melvin to me represents a minority view in town -- the view like those who cut the town-side of the budget at the tent meeting and then whines about a user fee for the transfer station.

Regarding the second “example” you note when Canario was away, I was there and there was no rush. Rather, we had a ministerial matter before us WHICH WAS DECIDED BY A SIX TO ONE VOTE LAST JUNE AND IS NOW MERELY A MATTER OF POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING BY KAREN AND HER ALL TOO EAGER COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE. What is it about “decided last June” that you and Karen don't understand. Yes, we pushed it off until Canario was back to end the shenanigans going on and on and on by those who want to play political games, when that had nothing to do with the agenda item before us.

The warrants were approved as part of the budget. The agenda item before us was to authorize the drawing down of them. It would be IRRESPONSIBLE of the town council to refuse the school department that money six month into the fiscal year when the school department has been operating on the basis of the approved budget that contained those Warrant items since last July.

Stormie said: “But...getting back to your "topic" , I don't feel that anyone who stands at a podium and welcomes others to join in with their input, is acting in anyway a "chair person", asking others to give thier opinions,and to stand up and join in to discuss what is on their minds, is no violation of anything.”

This is the topic of whether it was proper for Karen Gleason to act as “chair” of the Berkshire public comment meeting. The short answer is, no. Karen had no business acting in any official manner at that meeting. You may think she just stood at a podium and asked others to join in, but it was not a council meeting, it was not her meeting, and she had no business acting in an official capacity. Imagine if she took the podium at a Bristol Town Council meeting and started behaving in an official way asking people to speak, welcoming speakers and guests and thanking people afterwards. The folks in Bristol would think she was nuts! They would think, who is this person, why is she “chairing” (or moderating or inviting folks to speak or however you want to characterize it). Well, the same is true of the Berkshire meeting. It wasn’t her meeting to chair.

You can still like Karen Gleason, and yet admit she made an error on that judgment.

I don’t suspect much harm was done. You’re right about that. But I don’t get up to welcome speakers at a Planning Board meeting, and Karen shouldn’t have done so at this meeting. I want to emphasize that I believe there was no real harm done. I say this after raising the question to Mike Walker of Berkshire when this issue came to my attention. So -- no harm, no foul. But, it was still wrong for her to act as an official. That’s my opinion and you are free to disagree with it.

BUT – Before you disagree with me on this, let’s play a little hypothetical game. What if it was me, Len Katzman, “chairing” the meeting and inviting folks up and interrupting a speaker here and there and acting all official-like. Would you think it was proper for me to do that?

Stormie said: “she is a Town Councilor, sworn to uphold the Town Charter. Why has she not taken action?" How do you know for sure that she hasn't tried to?

This is about the issue of Karen’s oft repeated charge that there are kids in the Portsmouth schools who don’t belong there.

Such situations happen from time to time. I know, because I’ve dealt with it myself. Here’s what happened: A neighbor told me about such a kid, naming the family’s name. I followed up by informing Sue Lusi, in writing. I kept following upo by talking to Dr. Lusi over the course of the next month or so (these things take time because there is a process that must be followed). Shortly after that, the kid was forced to leave and go to Tiverton where they belonged.

I didn’t grandstand in front of a crowd and crow about it. Instead I got it done. That’s how things work. If Karen KNOWS NAMES then she merely needs to bring it to the attention to Dr. Lusi and it will get taken care of. You ask, “How do you know for sure that she hasn't tried to?” I know because I’ve asked Dr. Lusi who has told me Karen has never given her names or pointed to any specific instances. she just makes claims for no apparent reason.

Stormie said: “I know your grandparents were here living in the house where you live now...please save me that speech again. And I'm sure they were very good people, However you have lived in this town, or state, for that matter for what period of time? You are still a learner! and because of that you had better do a lot more homework on people who have lived here their whole lives, before you decide to rag on them.

OK. This one really pisses me off. And it’s not just you, Stormie, I hear this from a lot of people.

When I knock on someone’s door during campaign season, I don’t ask how long they’ve been here before I ask them their opinions. When a citizen speaks at the podium during a council meeting, no one asks how long they’ve been here.

It’s a stupid and selfish argument and I wish everyone who claims they should be respected MORE because they’ve lived here longer would just give that up already.

If we followed the reasoning of this argument to its logical conclusion, then only the Narragansetts, as Native Americans, would have any real say about town government and everyone else from the Mayflower on should just defer to their superior length of stay.

But, more than just being an empty argument, it is also against the philosophy of finest government document ever crafted, the U.S. Constitution. The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. (emphasis added).

You all read that right, “equal protection of the laws.” I swore an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. That means I have to treat someone who moved here in 1638 the same as someone who moved here in 2008. That’s America, my beloved free country, that renounced unequal treatment of citizens a long time ago. With the recent marking of Martin Luther King Day, I recognize that we may in fact have a long way yet to go on that front, but don’t stand up and say “I’m better because I’m here longer.”

That’s unfair, illogical and un-American.

Let’s everybody just give this one a rest, OK?

Stormie said: “More recently, and another perfect example, is when the job in finance became open and available, Karen had someone(Webber?) in mind for it, YOU on the other hand had someone else in mind, Never even heard of this mans name before, and as Karen stated ,even tho' you mentioned he was a resident, she said he hadn't been for that long,and that Mr. Webber deserved the oportunaty. And low and behold (but NO surprise to anyone) Mr Seveney stepped in and read your mans credentials,and of course made mention to his degree's.”

I do my homework and take my responsibilities seriously. I have personally spoken to 4 of the 5 members of the Tax Assessment Board of Review to get their thoughts and input. I would have spoken to all 5 of the members, but I was unable to reach the 5th member. I have also spoken with the applicant, Mr. Endrusick. I also know Mr. Webber from his various activities in town throughout the years and have spoken with him in the past.

I carefully reviewed the individual’s credentials and weighed the input and perspective from others on the Board. I concluded that Mr. Endrusick is the most qualified. He understands the degree of the commitment required because his wife, Jennifer Borden, is the person who recently resigned from the Board. He is a professional in the area of property valuation. I support him because I think he will be best for Portsmouth.

Karen’s stated support for Mr. Webber extends no further than Webber has been in Portsmouth for a long time and, as you put it, “deserves” the opportunity.

I’m sorry, Stormie, but it is not my job to give committee appointments to people just because they’ve been around for a while and feel they deserve it. It is my job to appoint the most highly qualified people. Period.

Folks like you can ascribe all kinds of false motives to me – I’m “sticking together like glue” with others, or I’m a “lawyer” so somehow that’s bad or I’m doing any other sort of sinister thing. Frankly, I don’t care what the heck you think, I’m going to do what’s best for Portsmouth in my analysis and if uninformed people like you think badly of me I don’t care. I’d rather do the right thing than be well-liked. I’ll still support Mr. Endrusick (who has lived here many years by the way). Either I have 4 votes or I don’t, then we move on. I’m still happy to go into more detail in private if you email or call me.

Stormie said: “You don't have to like me( I don't care),and you don't have to agree with my opinions...but I do have the right to say them, and how I feel, Just as John does here in his daily bias blog.

Political discourse in this country is a rough game. Contrary to popular belief, that’s nothing new. The Founding Fathers had torrid battles and John Adams and Thomas Jefferson famously didn’t speak to each other for years.

But we can still take the high road. You’re right Stormie, I don’t have to agree with your opinions, but you’re wrong to think I don’t like you. Truth is, I hardly know you. Truth is also this, that when people voice their opinions, those who do not share those opinions often get emotional. I certainly do, and it takes real effort to control that.

The truth also is that, I believe, most people are basically honest. You have your opinions and they are earnest. There are those, however, who are not honest and spin public opinion based on lies. Sometimes honest people, like you, are victims of the lies of others. In Portsmouth, that happens much too often.

Stormie said: “God Bless America!"

Now on that we completely agree.

Whew! spoken like a true lawyer, long winded, I bet you wouldn't even have to come up for air once on this one, but before you turn blue from lack of oxygen let me correct you on something..."Stormie said: “she is a Town Councilor, sworn to uphold the Town Charter. Why has she not taken action?" How do you know for sure that she hasn't tried to?

"This is about the issue of Karen’s oft repeated charge that there are kids in the Portsmouth schools who don’t belong there."
WRONG!...This is not the issue I was referring to at all.You are just assuming,and putting words into my mouth.
Katzman says:"You speak of Mrs. Melvin as though she is just an ordinary citizen with an open mind trying to understand the issue, but she is not. She is a leader in the PCC, a lobbying organization that was openly opposed to the charter amendment." The "PCC" simple stands for Portsmouth Concerned citizens" and nothing more,You call them "a lobbying organization"... I call them concerned citizens of this town,who are rightfully watching exactly everything that is going on,and asking the tough questions.Why do you feel so threatened by that?

You explain to me why this town claims to not have a revenue problem, with more, and more monster houses being built for the wealthy, sky high property taxes, we are being taxed to death! YET...the town cannot afford to pay the bills. Why according to the accountants we should be doing OK, yet we are very much in debt. Your answer is to borrow more money! It won't work, its been proven.
As that man said at the meeting.."if you don't have a revenue problem, you have a spending problem", and you know we do.
The PCC are tax paying,law abiding citizens of this town,and the PCC is growing in numbers, because more and more of us are seeing what is happening to our town and all its spending.
Do you really think that saying this about the PCC,and Mrs, Melvin will make you popular? You Mr. Katzman(and Mr. Seveney) will never be re-elected, I'm not a gambler, but I would bet the wad on this one. Dennis Canario,and Karen Gleason will be. Oh have you forgotten Peter McIntyers(spelling ,sorry) role waaay back, I believe he started the PCC? or at the very least had a huge role in the beginning. Ask someone who will educate you on that! You have NO problem with picking him to join you on the liaison committee tho' right?!Why is that Mr. Katzman? My theory is that you felt that because he is getting up there in age,and because you are the almighty lawyer, that you could sway him into your own way of thinking, or perhaps lets just say...confuse. Peter has been around a LONG time, and he can smell a rat before you can even see one coming.
I had agreed to email you on these issues since your other response seemed genuine,and honest, I have now changed my mind altogether,and realize that I was right about you from the get go. We need a, long winded, drama king,(school department biased) lawyer on the town counsel...like a hole in the head.
You may have the education,and be a master at spinning the big words,maybe you even have a little theater/acting background? If not ...Then you missed your true calling. And John is a science fiction writer...A PERFECT TEAM! and by the way the meeting where John stood up to speak, and on his way to sit down you called him back up to say "what he does for a living"I already know, but so they will know"...It was sickening to the point of nausea!....I could almost hear those votes to re-elect Katzman being flushed down the toilet at that point.

I look forward to re-election time again...The proof will be in the pudding. I will not be back to this blog until then, so please don't waste your type.

I said this a while back, but Its worth repeating just incase you missed it..."Only a lawyer could afford to throw Flo's fried clams to the seagulls!" ~Stormie

Hi, Stormie...
Muddy up the waters all you want. The question remains: Why has Gleason not done anything about people stealing services from our Town?

Cheers.
-john

Why don't You ask her that question? Since YOU are the only person in the whole town who is fixated,and totally obsessed, with Karen Gleason, every word she says,or doesn't say, and everything she does,or doesn't do. Funny how its only her, surely you could find someone else to gossip about? Its really getting old, and very boring.
Does it make you feel like a big powerful,and strong man, to use a blog to verbally be able to beat up on a woman? Be a man(buck up),and ask her yourself, I'm sure she will have an answer for you.

Hi, Stormie...
When you equate questioning the conduct of a public official with "beating up a woman" it's clear that you've run out of rational arguments, and are scraping around the bottom of the bag of dirty tricks. And don't call me "surely."

Last time I asked Ms. Gleason about one of her secret facts, it got me nowhere. Recall the Big Important Question she wanted to ask the school auditors pre-Caruolo. She never would say what it was...

I did try to find out. After the meeting I asked her, "Oh, c'mon. Can you tell me what the question is?" "I shouldn't tell you," she said, shuffling papers. Then she looked up. "You're not going to put me in a difficult spot, are you?"
Portsmouth Town Council votes for a "fruitless," 200K trial on Caruolo

If you find holding public servants accountable "boring," I'm sure there are plenty of sites just a mouseclick away that would be more congenial.

Cheers.
-j

John said:"If you find holding public servants accountable "boring," I'm sure there are plenty of sites just a mouseclick away that would be more congenial."

I find holding the same(one) public servant accountable for everything,and anything, very boring,prejudice,and very much impossible to do, since many ,or ALL of them should be held "accountable", in some way, or another, no one person is perfect all of the time. That is of course unless they agree with you,right.

John:" I'm sure there are plenty of sites just a mouseclick away that would be more congenial."

Yes I certainly would agree with you on that. I will leave you to preach this BS to your 4-5 faithful groupie members who actually take you seriously. There are after all, power in numbers,and you just don't have that. So now I will leave you and your members to get back to your same old , repetitive,boring, rhetoric.
I have said all I needed to say,and have exhausted this subject,Time to move on,for sure.

Hi, Stormie...
You refuse to accept my right to criticize our public officials while asserting that right for yourself. My criticism is beating up a woman, while yours is okay.

What is ironic is that we have so much common ground. We both care passionately about Portsmouth, we both follow politics with vigor. We both believe that citizen watchdogs play an important role.

Where we differ, clearly, is that you believe that your watchdogs are above suspicion.

But we're really not so different, you and me, and our inability to really communicate genuinely makes me sad.

I truly believe that if you saw the PCC as they truly are, you would realize they have gone beyond the role of benevolent watchdog. No doubt you feel the same about me, but in reverse.

Sadly, only one of us has the facts on their side. And facts mean more to me than an attempt to find superficial agreement. For that, too, I am sorry, because I do believe that you have the best intentions.

Kind regards,
-j

As Stormie continues to thrash aimlessly, I did find her certainties about the next election sort of interesting.

When people feel so strongly on opposite sides of a given issue (in this case, a whole mess of issues) it's sometimes difficult to judge where the sentiment of the town as a whole really lies. We all tend to hang around with people who think like we do. I remember wondering about this before the last election. I know how I feel, but am I in a majority or a minority? Part of the joy of the last election was knowing that yes, I was in agreement with a majority of the town and that the PCCers were, in fact, in the minority.

But especially in a town known for dramatic flip-flops in local government, this test is renewed with each election. And it all comes down to voter turn-out. I believe strongly in democracy -- I always think high turnout is better, and for my "side," it usually is. There will be some powerful presidential coattails in the next election (on both sides), but it's not too early to think about ways to get out the vote. There are 300 or so unique users who have been dropping in to watch the circus that's been taking place around here over the past few days. If each of us talks to half a dozen friends and neighbors, that's a pretty good cross-section of the town right there.

I have no specific plan of action in mind, I just think that getting out the vote in November needs to be something we all consider and try to work toward. Heaven knows, the PCC will be working on it.

Or will she have to get the last word again... Let's all hold hands and sing, "Oh Stormy, Stormy, Bring back my sunny day!"

Islander

Do me a favor and move to Florida. In the meantime,take a walk outside your door right now and soak your head.
This will be my"last word" to you.

Here's one of those other websites just a click away... It's called Dictionary. And here's an entry to clarify your intent. If you don't mean last, as below, in all of your threats regarding every post above being your last, then don't use it. Spare us the drama. It makes you sound childish. And that makes the other three of us who read this blogsite lose respect for you. In the meantime I will take your other advise into consideration, thanks for the suggestions.

last –adjective

1. occurring or coming after all others, as in time, order, or place: the last line on a page.
2. most recent; next before the present; latest: last week; last Friday.
3. being the only one remaining: my last dollar; the last outpost; a last chance.
4. final: in his last hours.
5. ultimate or conclusive; definitive: the last word in the argument.
6. lowest in prestige or importance: last prize.
7. coming after all others in suitability or likelihood; least desirable: He is the last person we'd want to represent us.
8. individual; single: The lecture won't start until every last person is seated.
9. utmost; extreme: the last degree of delight.
10. Ecclesiastical. (of the sacraments of penance, viaticum, or extreme unction) extreme or final; administered to a person dying or in danger of dying.
–adverb 11. after all others; latest: He arrived last at the party.
12. on the most recent occasion: When last seen, the suspect was wearing a checked suit.
13. in the end; finally; in conclusion.
–noun 14. a person or thing that is last.
15. a final appearance or mention: We've seen the last of her. That's the last we'll hear of it.
16. the end or conclusion: We are going on vacation the last of September.
Islander

I can assure you Karen that I'm neither "thrashing" or "aimless", I know exactly where I'm going at all times.
"I know how I feel, but am I in a majority or a minority? Part of the joy of the last election was knowing that yes, I was in agreement with a majority of the town and that the PCCers were, in fact, in the minority."

You may feel that the PCC are a minority strictly going by their member number count, what you fail to realize is that MANY more people who are not PCC (card carrying)members believe in what they are saying,and trying to do for the betterment of this town. I myself(and many of my closest friends),for example, are not Members of the PCC, but we all agree with what they stand for.

You tell me what is so wrong with a group made up of "Portsmouth Concerned Citizens" who feel that some things should be done differently, they are made up of tax paying citizens(just as yourself) with different opinions,and idea's, with only good intentions, since they DO live in this town, and some for all of their life's, Do you really believe they are out to try and harm(in any way) the very town that they live in, and love? Do you really believe that anyone is out to destroy the schools,and jeopardize the education of our children,grandchildren,and their future? If you do then you are a fool,and VERY mistaken,what WILL jeopardize their future is high taxes,(the cost to live in Portsmouth),and over spending. To accuse any citizen,or any group of citizens who love their town of this(just because you happen not to agree with them) is just wrong! You should be more concerned with the fact that these children once graduated and out in the work place will NOT be able to afford to live in the very town that they were raised in. You should be concerned that people who have lived here for 40 plus years (always paid their taxes), can no longer afford to, they are forced to sell, or have you not noticed the property transactions,and for sale signs going up left, and right,and up, and down old neighborhoods? The homes have been assessed WAY above what they are worth,and therefore being taxed to death,and right out of the homes they have lived in for 40+ years, they have been told "if you can't afford your taxes, move out,sell!" Problem is they cannot sell them for what they are assessed at,and the housing market is at an all time low right now. I know of two people who didn't even get a bite at Auction! With all of these (other) major issues,and problems in our town, I would think that your John would have much more to say,and blog about than to keep harping on the PCC,Larry,and Karen Gleason,and what is going on(of course) with the school department,Portsmouth ONLY that is, No mention of Tiverton(of course).
And why with all the money coming into the town are we in the shape that we are in? Same goes for the school department. The problem is NOT revenue in this town, the problem is mismanagement,and over spending(obviously), and soon to be(if the likes of Katzman,and Seveney, had their way), borrowing,and more borrowing. So...The people of this town have grown sick and tired of it,and have been attending more meetings ,and paying attention much more(fortunately) than past years,and more than ever...We want to KNOW where our hard earned tax dollars are going, and we have that right. The PCC was formed because for too long we haven't been getting the answers to our questions, and now they(PCC) are doing a good job of making the citizens of this town who otherwise are too busy in their every day life's to attend all the meetings, Aware of what is happening! I see nothing wrong with this concept.
As far as a "minority" goes...Well..they did get enough signatures to hold a tent meeting(in a VERY limited amount of time) , didn't they? Which is why I've said there are many more than what the actual PCC member numbers show you, out there.
There are people who don't have the time, people who don't want to be a member of any one group,such as myself, I don't agree with EVERYTHING any one person has to say,or EVERTHYING they might stand for, whether that be an elected official,the PCC, or anyone else. To say that we 100% agree with everything, or any one person, and everything they believe, is unrealistic.
It seems to me as if you,your hubby,and anyone else who bashes the PCC,Larry,Karen Gleason,Mrs. Melvin....are feeling very threatened by the mere facts that I have already stated, and I do not understand why. Where there is nothing to hide,there is nothing to fear.

" I just think that getting out the vote in November needs to be something we all consider and try to work toward. Heaven knows, the PCC will be working on it." That is 100% correct! I know of many people who are going to want to clean house! with the exception of a few,who will be staying. It certainly will be interesting,and I can't wait.
To Mr. Katzman, and John... If you don't already know...Don't forget to ask who started the PCC, The answer is Peter MacIntyer...( tho' I do have respect for him,and his service to the town), He has (in my opinion) become somewhat of a turncoat.

Wow, Stormie, you're back? I really wasn't talking to you, since you said you were leaving. What a shock that you came back again -- you've only done that 20 or 30 times before.

Just to clarify, in case anyone else is confused, as you were, by my post. I don't "feel" the PCC is in the minority because of their membership or for any other reason. In the last election, in case you weren't paying attention, all three ballot issues, opposed by the PCC, passed by a margin in the double-digits. Those aren't my feelings, those are the numbers.

But you just keep living in the "glory days" of the tent meeting.

This whole response of mine, longer than I would have liked, is the last time I will respond to Stormie in this thread. Maybe, in a future time and post, I'll respond to Stormie again, but for reasons that will become clear as you read this, I will not be responding further to Stormie here.

Stormie said:“Whew! ..., long winded,”

Well, my apologies. I really try to be brief. I don’t expect, however, that I have it in me, sad to say. I tend to speak my mind and I don’t think in sound bites.

Stormie said:[quoting me] "This is about the issue of Karen’s oft repeated charge that there are kids in the Portsmouth schools who don’t belong there. [Stormie said] "WRONG!...This is not the issue I was referring to at all. You are just assuming, and putting words into my mouth.”

It did seem to me that this was the topic you were on when you said that. I’ve gone back and re-read your post and I see now that you were not explicit and I did make an assumption. I’m deeply sorry. I never meant to “put words in your mouth” and my comments I guess were off your point.

I do stand by what I said on the topic that I THOUGHT you were talking about. I don’t apologize for what I said, only for assuming, wrongly, that this was the topic you were talking about.

Again, my sincere apologies for getting that wrong.

Stormie said:“Katzman says:"You speak of Mrs. Melvin as though she is just an ordinary citizen with an open mind trying to understand the issue, but she is not. She is a leader in the PCC, a lobbying organization that was openly opposed to the charter amendment." [Stormie said] The "PCC" simple stands for Portsmouth Concerned citizens" and nothing more, You call them "a lobbying organization"... I call them concerned citizens of this town, who are rightfully watching exactly everything that is going on, and asking the tough questions. Why do you feel so threatened by that?”

I call them a lobbying organization because that is what they are. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but it is a fact that the PCC advocates before the town council for specific actions as an organization. That by definition is lobbying. The PCC may “stand for” Portsmouth Concerned Citizens, as you say. But, they spend money advocating for ballot questions, spend money endorsing candidates and they have taken money from interests outside Portsmouth in order to fund their legal activities related to the Caruolo lawsuit. These are just the facts. All of these things are perfectly legal and fine, but these things do make them a lobbying organization which was my point regarding Mrs. Melvin.

The truth is that the PCC is a lobbying organization -- a political advocacy group. Why do you feel so threatened by that?

Stormie said:“YET...the town cannot afford to pay the bills. Why according to the accountants we should be doing OK, yet we are very much in debt.

FALSE! Town revenues are ahead of expenditures MEANING we are in the black! That’s a matter of public record. Just see Old Business Agenda Item number 10 from the meeting of January 14th. The truth is out there, it just doesn’t fit in with your preconceived ideas. We absolutely can pay our bills just fine.

Don’t even rely on me to explain this to you. Pick up the phone yourself and call Town Finance Director David Faucher, 683-9118, and ask him. Say, “Hi, Dave. I would like to know if the town can afford to pay its bills.”

On the point of being “very much in debt”, that’s FALSE TOO!

We are precisely NOT very much in debt and that is one of the sources of our problems. Had we used debt more strategically in the past (which is neutral to our bond rating) we wouldn’t have depleted our fund balance to the point it is at today (which if FURTHER depleted may have an effect on our bond rating). That is what our professional financial advisors are telling us.

I’ve grown quite tired of explaining this to people like you who refuse to listen, so please just add that to the list and ask Dave Faucher about that while you have him on the phone.

Stormie said:“Do you really think that saying this about the PCC, and Mrs, Melvin will make you popular?

I don’t care if I am popular or not, Stormie. Do you really think I ran for office to be popular?

I am who I am and I stand for my principals and anyone who doesn’t like me should PLEASE not vote for me. That’s democracy.

Speaking of democracy, there were roughly 1250 PCC types in the tent that fine August day in 2006. I stood up and walked out to try to deny the quorum, but alas that effort failed. As I walked out, and in the weeks that followed, I was called “shameful” and “loser” and, by the way, a whole host of other mean things that aren’t fit to print even here in John McDaid’s blog. But, I was proud to stand up for what I believed in. If I had to live that day again, the only thing I would do differently is that, when walking out, I would have stood a little taller and felt a little prouder. Twelve weeks after the tent meeting the November elections came. By then, everyone who voted knew exactly where I stood on the issues and yet I won reelection by the votes of almost three times the number of people who voted in the tent meeting. That’s democracy.

Stormie said:“Peter has been around a LONG time, and he can smell a rat before you can even see one coming.”

Yes, Stormie, I agree with you. I have no doubt that Mr. McIntyre is very well acquainted with the aroma of rodents.

*I know, I shouldn’t have gone there, but I couldn’t resist. I know Peter will forgive me a bit of humor.*

Stormie said:“I had agreed to email you on these issues since your other response seemed genuine, and honest, I have now changed my mind altogether.”

I merely offered to provide you additional information that I’m not willing to say publicly. If you don’t want it, for whatever reason, that’s fine.

[collecting several statements together for response]
Stormie said:“Whew! spoken like a true lawyer
Stormie said:“You have NO problem with picking him [Peter McIntyre] to join you on the liaison committee tho' right?! Why is that Mr. Katzman? My theory is that you felt that because he is getting up there in age, and because you are the almighty lawyer, that you could sway him into your own way of thinking, or perhaps lets just say...confuse.”
Stormie said:“and realize that I was right about you from the get go. We need a, ... lawyer on the town counsel...like a hole in the head.”
Stormie said:“ Only a lawyer could afford to throw Flo's fried clams to the seagulls!”

I get called all kinds of things, because I serve in public office and some folks don’t like my positions so they don’t like me. I just roll up my sleeves and I do the hard work and I let the snide remarks roll off my back. I don’t usually take it personally.

Usually, that is. But, not this time.

Yes, I’m a lawyer. In case you didn’t know, that is a noble and honorable profession, dating back thousands of years.

Here’s why I take it personally. You see, nobody just handed me my law degree. I worked my tail off to get it. When I was 36 years old, working as a computer SysAdmin at NUWC with a house and a mortgage and a kid and everything, I decided I wanted to be a lawyer. So, I sacrificed my nights and weekends and time with my family while I held down my day job and went to evening law school at Roger Williams. For four long difficult years I buried myself in my books and classes and I earned my college law degree the old-fashioned hard way. I graduated 3rd in my class too, and not because I happen to be fairly bright but because I put in the hours and the hard work and I earned everything I got with the toil of my own mind and my own two hands.

I’m proud to be a lawyer. For you to taunt me for being a lawyer is inexcusable.

But, I understand that some people, like you Stormie, hate lawyers for no good reason. You may think you have a reason. Maybe you hate lawyers because you are angry at the world and you need to blame people -- anyone – for your plight. Maybe you read about an incident here or there in the tabloid press, like a million dollar McDonalds coffee lawsuit, and come to think that the problem is “THEM” those evil nasty lawyers with all their education and everything.

You may not even see it as hatred. But, Stormie, it is hatred. Hatred against me is something I know a thing or two about. I’ve experienced people hating me for no good reason. You see, I’m Jewish.

I grew up here in Portsmouth where there were hardly any Jews and I experienced first hand the bigotry and hatred that ignorance and unfounded fear brings. As a kid, I was taunted and bullied. One of my best friends in 2nd grade told me he couldn’t be my friend anymore because his dad said so. I asked why, and he said his dad said it was because I’m Jewish. I asked him what difference that made, and he said he didn’t know. We didn’t see each other again for years.

Bullying and trouble with friends -- that was the scope of the hatred and bigotry I experienced as a kid in Portsmouth just for being Jewish. I’m lucky, though. My Grandparents told me stories of hatred and bigotry against the Jews in the “old country” of Georgia and Russia and Romania where they were from. There, the Jews experienced the burning of their villages and worse. My father’s father was one of seven brothers, but the other six all were murdered because they were Jewish.

But I’m lucky because I am an American and I love my country and its freedoms.

I am Jewish and I am proud.

And I am a lawyer and I am proud.

I refuse to be made to feel ashamed of my honorable work or of my noble profession, Stormie. In my opinion, your hatred of lawyers is no different than some folk’s hatred of Jews. It is baseless fear and astonishing ignorance of a scale that is hard to come to terms with at this time in history. It represents the absolute worst elements of humanity.

So that’s how I feel about you taunting me because I’m a lawyer. You should be ashamed of yourself. My faith tells me that I should forgive you your ignorance and hurtfulness. I try hard to be forgiving and righteous in my heart, but I am only human.

To be clear, I’m not calling you an anti Semite or saying anything about you related to me being Jewish. But, I am saying you hate lawyers because of ignorance and bigotry, and that's wrong. Take out the word "lawyer" in your comments and replace them with the word "Mormon", or "black" or "faggot" or any other ethnic, religious, or other personal characterization, and you wouldn't say it, Stormie.

You wouldn't say it because it's wrong. It is prejudiced and bigoted to use those words. It is just as wrong and prejudiced and bigoted when you say those things using the word "lawyer".

Don’t reply back and say I’ve put words in your mouth. Don’t say you don’t hate lawyers. I’ve read your words already in the comments of this entry and in historical posts of yours. It is not just name calling or snide remarks, which are hurtful in their own way. I recognize in your comments the timbre of the language of hate speech. It is subtle, but it is there. It is too late for you to take those words back.

In fact, don’t bother replying to me at all, because I don’t really care what someone as bigoted, ignorant and hateful of me and all lawyers as you are could possibly think. You said those things with the intent to be hurtful to me and I take it personally.

As far as I’m concerned, Stormie, with or without a lawyer, you can go to hell.

Mr. Katzman: You have my complete support, and I am pleased that you took the time to try to respond to Stormie's concerns and complaints. I don't blame you for not wanted to respond to her ever again - I reached that conclusion some time ago. If Stormie would acknowledge (for example) that Mr. Fitzmorris has indeed mistated facts on occasion, then we might have some common ground. But when on several occasions I cited a specific example of Mr. Fitzmorris's lying, what I got in return was not rebuttal or explanation or even defense of the remark - but only invective, name calling, and subject-changing. And certainly it is well within Stormie's right to use invective, name-calling and subject changing - but it is not conducive to honest debate or betterment of the community, and it does not earn my respect. Therefore I agree with everything you said in your past post, except for the last line - personally I would have gone with "go soak your head" - but I appreciate how frustrated you must feel after making such a time-consuming and well thought out response to her remarks.

I was not planning on coming back(honestly), but after reading your last comment, I felt compelled to do so. Mr. Katzman we seem to have a lot more in common than we could have imagined. And since you have given me your background(history),I felt the need to give you a little of my own history.

I was born and raised in Newport,RI, until age 14, We were dirt poor, living in a slum landlord apartment building on Van Zandt Avenue, No running hot water,and no heat, the building would get condemned, now and then, and we would move back in when it re-opened(it was all my parents could afford at the time), terrible living conditions. We finally moved to Portsmouth,and as you can imagine I was thrilled to be moving into a nice(but small) house with my parents and two brothers. But...that was short lived when for the first time in my life I came face to face with prejudice neighbors,people who wouldn't let their daughters hang out with me simply because my family is Portuguese, and Spanish. I was called terrible names,and bullied every day, and had to fight my way through it,as well as fight for my youngest brother who went through the same thing. Both my parents died at a fairly young age. I moved back home to take care of Mom the last 10 months of her life, it was the hardest thing I ever had to face,watching her die a little more each day of cancer. But no regrets, I would do it all again if I had to. She was my Hero!

You should also know that I'm a gay woman, and this does not come easy for me to write,because I'm not "out" for the whole world to see,(Hence my wish to remain anonymous)...just to a few(chosen) good friends,and(sadly)only one family member,who fortunately for me, understands,and accepts me,unconditionally. From where I come from,that is rare.

So you see Mr. Katzman I DO know"hatred and bigotry" all too well,and for most of my life have been tormented by it. I have come a long way from the, bitter,angry(at society),person, that I used to be(perhaps it has come with age,knowledge,and wisdom). I realize that it is OK if people choose not to like me, just because of who,and what I am.It comes from their own ignorance, it is their loss, and their problem.
As long as I KNOW who I am... A good, decent,kind-hearted,woman, who try's to help anyone,in any way I possibly can. I'm a loyal,true friend,and I'm a genuine,down to earth,honest person. I can sleep good at night( I owe no one). I refuse to be ashamed(anymore) of where I came from,or who I am. I do however( I will admit to this), have VERY strong opinions,and speak my mind, even when it has not always been the popular thing to do, or say,or way to think.

So...I would like to apologize ...To you,and anyone else I have offended in doing so,and I hope you will accept it. It is not the first time my words have gotten me into trouble,and probably won't be the last, but I will try to be less abrasive with them, I do not like to be hurtful to anyone. Not to make excuses for it, but I tend to get caught up in the moment, can get too emotional,and have been called "fiesty".
I meant what I said... I will no longer take part in this blog,If I don't come here, and read it anymore, then I won't be inclined to speak my mind. But after reading(your last comment to me) I feel like I owed an apology.

Bye to all.
Sincerely,

~Stormie

To Stormie:

I really appreciate the apology and I accept it without reservation. Thank you. I can tell (it's obvious) that it was from the heart. It's funny how I feel that you spoke to me and how I'm now speaking to you, privately, even though this is for all the public to see and there's this swirl of activity with Rhodygirl and all... But none of that matters. Just privately between you and me -- You said something hurtful and I reacted to it. But, then you apologized sincerely as the decent person that you are.

I would like to apologize to you too. As I've said, I'm only human and sometimes (like you) my words go too far. I said what I said in anger. I should have measured my words more carefully. Not because Rhodygirl or whoever would make political hay out of it -- people like that don't need an excuse. Rather, I should have measured my words more carefully because I really only wanted you to know what your words meant to me, and I could have said that without me saying something wrong too.

So, I'm sorry. I offer my apology and I hope you will accept it.

I feel like all that town government business between us right now is immaterial and if I knew who you were and were talking to you now face to face, we'd at least shake hands, probably hug, and vow to find common ground. You are absolutely right that we have a lot more in common than either of us could have imagined. I suspect most folks divided by politics have more in common than they realize.

To change the topic a bit, about your not being "out" and you suffering that special brand of hatred and bigotry reserved for gay people in this country, I would like you to know that there are few political issues that make me more outraged than the illogical bent of some people to deny gay people their civil rights. It's hard to believe that just 12 years ago it was perfectly legal in Rhode Island to be denied the right to sign a lease or be fired from your job just because you were gay. The issue has never come up as a town council matter. But, if it did you'd find no stronger ally than me. I dare anyone to come before the council and try to advocate to deny gay people equal civil rights. They'd rue the day.

I've been married going on 25 years now, and no one has yet to give me any rational argument how two loving and committed people of the same sex being married somehow ruins my "institution" of marriage to my wife. I enjoy my life of marriage and I treasure it. I wish that someday very soon, Stormie, right here in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the "Birthplace of American Democracy", you will have the right to marry as well. And, maybe someday, hopefully soon, you could be "out" and no one would think twice about it or even much notice. What a world that would be!

So, I'm truly sorry to you for my choice of coarse words. No need for you to reply or post again. I imagine this place must drive you crazy because you don't agree with the political positions taken. It's enough for me to believe you've read these words and know that I'm sorry.

Wishing you Peace.

Len

As an elected town official,and as a man, you have disgusted me with your last remark to stormie. I read this blog on an almost daily basis and I have kept my mouth shut and my opinions to myself. I find the blog to be very informative to johns credit. However Im in total disgust with you for this very inappropriate,and uncalled for remark. I do not agree with all of what stormie says, but I recognize that she has the right to say it,and is entitled to her opinions. Should she have verbally attacked lawyers(in general) NO WAY!,should she have been so harsh with her wording, NO! But you as a Portsmouth town council elected official, in a highly proffesional job(as you have defended),and as a man should know better than to tell anyone to "go to hell".
You have lost all of my respect for you as well as others who have read this tonight and called me outraged over it.
I'm also disappointed in john who did not say anything about it, Viking at least disagreed with it,and would have choosen a different line.
You owe her an apology instead she is apologizing.
I will not re-elect a man who is obviously emotionally unstable.

Hi, Rhodygirl...
I think Mr. Katzman showed a great deal of restraint in the face of what were serious allegations of misconduct and personal invective. Even Stormie recognized she crossed a line, as evidenced by her heartfelt and moving post.

It is inappropriate to assert as a fact that someone is emotionally unstable because, after a great deal of provocation, they respond as any human would. It is also potentially libelous. You may want to insert the phrase "in my opinion" somewhere in that sentence.

You may be disappointed in me for not saying anything, but I didn't call Stormie crazy for insulting me and my wife.

Cheers.
-j

The only reason that I have never personally told Stormie to “go to hell” was because I gave up very early trying to have a rational discourse with her here - and choose instead to refuse to engage with her at all. Her posts (apart from her most recent post) have had the quality of a rant, and unfortunately I have lost a lot of the patience I used to have when it come to dealing with rants. I admire Mr. Katzman, however, because he recognized in the comments that Stormie made many often heard misconceptions and ill-informed opinions and concerns, and to his credit he tried valiantly to engage Stormie on those opinions – to get past the anger and invective and actually discuss the facts of an issue.

I appreciate that Stormie shared so much of herself here. I too have known the sting of bigotry, the traumas of growing up disadvantaged, and family love that made it tolerable, worthwhile, and fondly memorable.

Spare me your righteous indignation, Rhodygirl.

Have you read this thread? Read all 45 responses? Mr. Katzman managed to remain reasonable and conciliatory long after many of us (including me) had lost patience and interest. Despite her recent remorse, Stormie has spent the last several days spewing venom and personal attacks. Sure, her approach is great for generating blog traffic, but it does little to encourage discussion or progress. Everyone is entitled to express their opinion, absolutely, but no one is entitled to engage in unchecked personal attacks and no one is obliged to endure personal attacks without objection.

So now you are "disgusted" with the last line of Mr. Katzman's response. And despite his many years of service to our community, and his reasoned and eloquent explanations of the issues which trouble our town -- to be found in this blog and elsewhere -- you choose to determine his electability AND his emotional health based on one statement. Get over yourself.

Something tells me you were not exactly a staunch supporter before, and that you somehow see a political opportunity here, a chance to make hay because the other guy blinked. But hey, that's just speculation on my part.

When I go to the polls in November, I will make my decisions based on the records of the candidates, the sum total of their many actions while in public service or on the campaign trail. To vote based on one statement in isolation -- whether it is Len Katzman telling Stormie to go to hell or Dick Cheney telling Patrick Leahy to go f**k himself -- is foolish and irresponsible.

and now you are reading so much more into it. What I said was that I don't agree with stormie's behavior, I'm certainly not condoning it. But Mr. Katzmans behavior was just as bad if not worse (in my opinion). One would think he would be more profesional,and mature, about it, given his position.
You on the other hand seem to have an attitude problem. Whats it to you anyway as to whom I choose to vote for and/or my reasons why.

Puh-leez ...sounds like an airhead term.

I will not re-elect a man who is(in my opinion) obviously emotionally unstable.
And may I add...losing it. Maybe he is just under too much pressure today, I hear from the grapevine that he has been getting a lot of calls from unfriendlies.But then again this is just what I have heard, who knows,does anyone really know?