The letter below from Councilwomen Deborah Kleckowski and Linda Salafia reflects views and
opinions not necessarily shared by the Insider staff, and is published
as a courtesy to readers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the Editor:
This letter is in response to Councilman Phil Pessina's letter regarding his "removal" from the Republican ticket.
For the past two years, Councilman Pessina has served as minority leader, representing the four minority council members, including Councilwomen Deborah Kleckowki and Linda Salafia. It was Councilman Pessina's responsibility to hold caucuses and to keep us informed of issues and matters affecting the city and most importantly information that directly affects how we vote.
Unfortunately, Councilman Pessina did not fulfill his obligations as minority leader. His self-induced separation from the Republican Party began in 2012 when the Republicans submitted a Republican budget. Seconds before the vote, Councilman Pessina informed Councilwoman Kleckowski that he would be voting with the Democrats, which in fact he did. Upon being "called out" on this matter Pessina just responded "it was for the children."
Thereafter, Pessina was absent from town committee meetings.
Although not specifically named in his letter, he clearly was referring to Councilwoman Kleckowski and Councilwoman Salafia, inferring we did not work in the best interest of the citizens of Middletown. During council meetings, he often would make disparaging statements toward us.
We take exception to his comments and find them insulting. Additionally, he called no caucus the first year (2012) and rarely thereafter. He also did not share with us committees in which he was asked to participate and shared no information of which he was privy with us.
There is a laundry list of his lack of leadership and participation in the party. And, for the record, Pessina was going to abstain from voting on the teamsters contract because he is a recipient of the health care benefits then without notice he voted for the contract; yet, another example of Phil thinking about Phil.
We are proud to have been endorsed to be candidates for the Common Council. We, in fact, do care about Middletown and its residents and vote accordingly. We respectfully ask for your vote on Nov. 5, and ask for your vote for the entire slate, ROW A.
In service to the residents of OUR community,
Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski
Councilwoman Linda Salafia
Candidates for Middletown Council 2013
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski |
This letter is in response to Councilman Phil Pessina's letter regarding his "removal" from the Republican ticket.
For the past two years, Councilman Pessina has served as minority leader, representing the four minority council members, including Councilwomen Deborah Kleckowki and Linda Salafia. It was Councilman Pessina's responsibility to hold caucuses and to keep us informed of issues and matters affecting the city and most importantly information that directly affects how we vote.
 |
| Councilwoman Linda Salafia |
Unfortunately, Councilman Pessina did not fulfill his obligations as minority leader. His self-induced separation from the Republican Party began in 2012 when the Republicans submitted a Republican budget. Seconds before the vote, Councilman Pessina informed Councilwoman Kleckowski that he would be voting with the Democrats, which in fact he did. Upon being "called out" on this matter Pessina just responded "it was for the children."
Thereafter, Pessina was absent from town committee meetings.
Although not specifically named in his letter, he clearly was referring to Councilwoman Kleckowski and Councilwoman Salafia, inferring we did not work in the best interest of the citizens of Middletown. During council meetings, he often would make disparaging statements toward us.
We take exception to his comments and find them insulting. Additionally, he called no caucus the first year (2012) and rarely thereafter. He also did not share with us committees in which he was asked to participate and shared no information of which he was privy with us.
There is a laundry list of his lack of leadership and participation in the party. And, for the record, Pessina was going to abstain from voting on the teamsters contract because he is a recipient of the health care benefits then without notice he voted for the contract; yet, another example of Phil thinking about Phil.
We are proud to have been endorsed to be candidates for the Common Council. We, in fact, do care about Middletown and its residents and vote accordingly. We respectfully ask for your vote on Nov. 5, and ask for your vote for the entire slate, ROW A.
In service to the residents of OUR community,
Councilwoman Deborah Kleckowski
Councilwoman Linda Salafia
Candidates for Middletown Council 2013
Any identified Republican who votes with the Democrats should be expelled from the Party. Put Linda McMahon on the top of the list. None of her volunteers would ever trust her again.
ReplyDeleteAnd this little schmuck is a real putz!!
Not surprised, it took two woman to call the man out! Phil is all about Phil. He is a complete joke! His ego is huge! Unfortunate that this was the kind of kiss A$$ in a leadership position at the police dept and the city council. It's because of people like him this city is going down the tubes, just like the police dept. Hey Deb, before you slam Phil though, how about you do something about the PD because it sure appears like the rest of the clowns in power are looking to look the other way.
ReplyDeleteIt should be noted it was not that it was a Democrat budget it was a budget to significantly raise taxes, give the mayor a raise, and increase uncontrolled spending!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't matter who's idea it is when its a bad one PHIL!
Phil is not on the Republican ticket- and any Republican who has his sign in his yard is supporting a person with no fiscal responsibility and a supporter of the working families communist regime!
Anonymous #1 Rest assured that I am NOT looking the other way regarding PD-nor are my republican colleagues. At this point and time we are allowing the investigators to investigate without political interference.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it the Insider is the only news outlet that reports the other side of the stories so the truth can be exposed.
ReplyDeleteThe other local news outlets such as the Eye and Middletown Press should pick up on this. Is this news submitted to them and they just refuse to comment on these stories. I would really like to know!
Deb
ReplyDeleteI can see you're not looking the other way. But how much can you really do? You're one person with very little backing.
Good luck!
8:34 This letter was originally posted in the Patch you paranoid doofus.
ReplyDeleteThose two ladies are very honest and friendly people who unfortunately had to deal with two members of the "Ole Boys' Network"- people that barked orders and did what they wanted. I love Pessina' victimesque letter in Patch, come on Philly, I go to the meetings and after you backstabbed your team I figured it was business as usual. Good Job GOP for taking a stance.! Debbie has done a great job, ever since she was BOOTED from the DEM ticket for having kids ala Daniel Russo. Funny how that is!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to know what really happened. What I have read from councilman Pessina made it sound like he was being persecuted along the same lines as those who endured the Salem Witch Trials.
ReplyDeletePhil got booted because it was Phil or himself! He lied to those on his own gem and purposely left them out of the loop. His sexist behavior was unprofessional for an elected official.
ReplyDelete2 wekes before election day and now they have something to say, sounds like politics, not much leadership in these ladies
ReplyDeleteLinda and Deb put up with the sexist degradation long enough. They were treated like secretaries! Phil bagged them in the papers and didn't disclose information even about events! Petty! These ladies were classy. They could have called all this crap behavior out but it was Phil who threw the first punch with his letter. Phil was rude to those who questioned his absence. The list goes on and on.
ReplyDeletePhil acted like getting GOP on commissions was his personal favor. No refraining from calling out the obvious was taking the high road ladies. Leadership right there!
ReplyDeleteAnon:
ReplyDeleteTWo weeks before the election? PHil wrote a letter to the PAtch and Debbie and Linda responded. Don't give me that crap!