Opinion: Colton man responds to letter; says let's sit down and chat

To the Editor:

EDITOR’S NOTE: The letter was submitted in response to Mary S. Rutley’s Letter to the Editor titled Opinion: Vote Tuesday to remove bullies from the playground, says Colton woman - Nov. 7, 2022.

Your Comment: “Years ago Steve Knight launched a smear campaign against Peggy Mousaw, another member of the school board. Peggy asked the hard questions about issues that had to be addressed.” I respond because attempts to rewrite history impedes our community’s progress and great things are happening in Colton.

I was the school board president during the time you are referring to. Your statement implies that the existing board members did not do their job which is, at best, uninformed. I cannot discuss the details of your “Smear” comment but I can say that the issue was investigated by an independent third party, not me, the board or school personnel.

In response to your comment about taxpayers paying for trusses twice. Like all construction projects, there are always changes and adjustments. It was not that there were no trusses but that design adjustments had to be made to the “saddles” or “boots” where the trusses sat. Most importantly, taxpayers did not pay twice. Where did you get this false information?

You misconstrue stating direct observations and known facts with bullying. At a recent town board meeting, Peggy publicly accused the board of non-compliance (implying incompetence during an election) with respect to State laws and regulations. She was proven wrong on both counts with information obtained from one statewide association and the NYS Comptroller’s Office. Also, Peggy was personally attacking one employee with vague innuendo and no clear question for the board. To what end?

I am certainly hearted by the fact that two thirds of our community saw what was fact and what was fiction and communicated again, at the ballot box. But Mary, please reread your comments. Your opinion included many inflammatory and unkind words, defamatory allegations, innuendo but not facts, similar to Peggy’s comments. Please call me, we can sit down and chat. I find face to face conversations much more productive.

Steve Knight
Colton