White Devils

[rivertrent]

It seems that LA Palmer has a kindred soul - Paul Harris. I can assure everyone that I am only ONE of the black, white AND hispanic people at council last night to be 100% offended at Mr. Harris' public claim to council that white people don't get interuppted, but black people do at the public sessions. This isn't the direction that Trenton needs to go. Here we have an inteligent young man who COULD be a real leader for his community and he's already playing the race card. My hope has always been to work WITH all the people of Trenton - we're in this together - its not in our mutual interests to become divisive. I hope that my other Trenton Speaks friends agree. Paul, I hope you reconsider your choice of words and join ALL of us in making Trenton better. If not, I feel very badly that you see whites getting preferential treatment by council, it must feel awful - but it seems that they respond to respect and order above all else. I'm still learning!! (I will say, freedom of speech and expression is a wonderful thing, even if you don't agree with it!)

[Heraclythus]

[Krazykatz]

wouldn't be having this conversation.

I was there and I shall forget what you said in a couple of days. I never could get grasp onto that HATE word. I refused to. The fact that some people harbour hate for others simply because they may have a different perception of anything, that I may not agree with, isn't enough for me to say that Hate word. I correct myself, when I do say, I hate that I also have instilled that to my one and only child.

I also disliked when my daughter would say "she was starving." I would correct her and say that she didn't know what starving was and that she should think of those, in Africa and other nations that were truly starving. Since then, I think she's corrected her use of the word starving.

I'm not a hater as I am not one to say that I am starving, when I know there are people in this world that are both. So Mr. Harris there won't be any ill feelings toward you. Hope you and your family have a Happy and Safe Holiday. Krazykatz

[doctorfreud]

He apologized to all here and will do so again at a public council session. He's young and still learning about real life politics. We've got bigger fish to fry and don't need to be infighting.

Mr. Harris, your apology is accepted, now lets move on! Seems our elected officials might learn form Mr. Harris. When you're wrong apologize!

[rivertrent]

What Paul is saying is unfortunate, and I hop he does what he can to correct this so-called discrimination. Just because I don't see it so clearly, does not mean it does not happen. Perhaps if "white people" were NOT mentioned, it would have been a different sentiment...eg - OTHER people don't interuppted would have sufficed. Sorry Paul, you took a public forum to voice your concerns, I just did the same thing. Happy holidays and I hope to see you at council in the New YEar. Here's to a UNIFIED Trenton. - Bill

[TrentonKat]

Hey, I wasn't there last night, but for what it's worth, I've seen Mr. Pintella act in a less than respectful manner to Paul Harris. I also saw Pintella speak less than respectfully to Gino Melone. I have not gone to many Trenton council meetings, but I have been to a lot of municipal meetings in my life (I used to be a newspaper reporter), all over the state, and I can say with confidence, I have NEVER seen a council president/chair speak to any member of the public, or any colleague, the way Pintella does. He is at the front of the room, and has a microphone in his face, but apparently, that man cannot get enough of the sound of his own damn voice. He interrupts people, belittles them, and it is appalling. I haven't noticed if he does this more to black people or white people, but the fact that he slapped down Melone a few weeks ago makes me think he's an equal-opportunity Richard Cranium. He shouldn't be allowed to do it at all, to anyone. In fact, if, in an alternative universe, he was accidentally elected to some other municipality's governing body, he'd be sent packing, or forced to be treat people more respectfully.

Anyway, I'm a white chick, so I don't feel that I have much right to speak about how black people might feel because I can never really know; but I am a sympathetic person, so I am certain it must be harder for black people in this society. And at the same time, I know who I am: I am not a racist, and I'm sure the white people who stayed in/moved back to Trenton are not, either. I'm not directing this specifically at you, Paul (H), but I cannot help but cringe when someone says "discrimination" or in some other way, brings up a racial issue in my presence, in the presence of the other white people in Trenton, because unless some things change quickly, Trenton is screwed, black, white, hispanic. We all share the same concerns and the same goals. Yes, there are hurdles for the black community, maybe moreso than for other groups -- but ALL of Trenton is suffering, including members of all ethnic groups. I think we ought to find a way to be a bit more colorblind, and if we can do that together, I think our concerted efforts will lift ALL of us up.

In this case, I think the bottom line is that Paul Pintella has no business treating anyone the way he does, and I'm sure that we can agree on that. He is an at-large representative, and needs to know that we do not approve of the way he talks to people. Period.
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Chrissy Ott
trentonkat.blogspot.com

[Exit7a]

Paul:

What you said was racist and ridiculous. You don't realize what you are saying/implying and this is clear. Apologizing over a website and at the next Council meeting isn't honest or honorable. Some of those folks at last night's Council meeting will likely not read Trenton Speaks and/or attend next month's meeting. So, then do get a free pass with these folks?

Be truthful and stop pontificating. You said what you said and you are in your mid-20s, right? So, you are old enough to know what the impact of what you say, how you say it and to stand by or apologize for your actions. You aren't a high school kid just spouting what is in his head and you have been to enough Council meetings and Community meetings to know how things are.

No more excuses and please, readers, no more apologizing or forgiving or writing off Paul. He wants to be a leader and run for office soon to help lead our city. Well, he should learn what real leadership is and apologize. Otherwise, Paul, you will have NO shot at anything more than being a citizen just like the rest of us.

and one last note (as some help): When you speak at Council (and I have seen you in action), you should keep your head up when addressing the Council and not look down at the podium; additionally, please organize your thoughts before addressing the Council and the audience. Otherwise, you are very difficult to hear and understand, which undermines what you are saying (whether it is good or bad).

Good Luck.

[Heraclythus]

[blackhill]

Trenton is in need of leaders. I am sure that Paul's apology is accepted here on the forum and will be accepted at council. Paul I think that you are super and that Trenton is fortunate to have you as a resident . You will make a great leader and help Trenton to be a city that all can be proud of one day. One of the problems with Trenton is self serving officials. These people are not leaders and they do not own up to mistakes. They lie , cheat and steal from taxpayers. Another problem is education which is dismal at best. The poverty level is high and will continue until the school district gets it together and until Doug takes his hands off education.