Letter to the editor

In the interest of fair play

To the Editor:

I take great offense at your flagrant misrepresentation of my position regarding the appointment of a new trustee to the Lawrence Village Board (Religious Politics; July 11, 2008) You are in possession of a copy of my letter which was sent to Mayor Felder and all the newspapers. This letter was printed in other local papers as I intended. There was nothing provocative or controversial about my statements. Yet, it was not printed in your paper. Instead, you chose to use inflammatory language to report and editorialize with little regard for the substance of my position.

My objection to the appointment of Michael Fragin is that the entire appointment process was shrouded in secrecy. It was widely reported that there was a backroom deal made where Michael Fragin would withdraw from the race for Mayor in exchange for an appointment to the vacant seat on the Village Board. Mr. Fragin, however, never declared his candidacy. He went to the press to state that he was “considering” a run against Felder. He never articulated what he stood for. As the facts have proven, he was appointed. It is my belief that the appointment was made through a process of intimidation with no regard for public discourse on the matter.

I also believe that the Village Board would benefit greatly with some diversity, which was spoken about at length during the nominating process. Diverse points of view, whether in a family or a Village, are healthy and democratic in the very best sense.

I have lived in this Village for more than 55 years. I worship at a local Orthodox synagogue. If anyone is seeking to “tar” it is you. If anyone is guilty of “cronyism” it is you. If I were against an Orthodox Jewish person appointed as a trustee, why would I have suggested two Orthodox Jewish people qualified to serve as trustees?

In the interest of fair play, not to mention, accuracy, I request that you print my letter as written, and allow the public to decide who is being “disrespectful and insulting.”

Jacqueline B. Handel

Lawrence Association President

Editor’s Note:

Ms. Handel is correct that there was nothing provocative or controversial in a letter she wrote to Simon Felder, the newly elected mayor of Lawrence, and her goals of transparency and diversity are ones we can all share.

In the interest of fair play and accuracy, however, we point out that the above letter conveniently fails to mention the on-the-record conversation Ms. Handel subsequently had with a reporter, in which she stated, “The new trustee does not have to be someone who is ultra-Orthodox.”

Here’s a simple exercise: substitute the words ‘ultra-Orthodox’ with adjectives denoting any other religion or race, then see if no one would consider the remark “disrespectful and insulting.” There is no legitimate justification for a double standard.