It's one day from TWO WEEKS since the racially insensitive, anti-immigrant, and outright ignorance of Republicans Pauline Basso and Joel Urice has been exposed to the public and to this date:

1. Pauline Basso has offered NO apology to the public for her actions and a half-hearted two paragraph to NAACP President Rev. Ivon Pitts.

2. Pauline Basso has only offered this flippant statement to the press.

"I really have nothing to say...I sent an apology and that's it."

3. "Cowboy" Urice thinks the whole thing is a "joke" and offered this boneheaded response to the News-Times Brian Koonz that only inflamed the level of outrage.

I just thought that it was funny," said Urice, an outspoken opponent of illegal immigration. "There was nothing intended about anything.

"I am definitely a believer in law and order," he said. "Once again, these people are a burden on our tax system and we're forced to pay for them. It was in no way a racial slur."

Of course, Urice's "these people" remark speaks louder than any denial.

4. Our mayor, the last honest man in Danbury and leader of the seventh largest city in Connecticut, was too afraid to take questions from the networks, refuse to return calls from the networks, didn't give the impression that he took the matter seriously when first informed, didn't make a public statement condemning Basso's actions at this month's Common Council meeting, AND is attempting to distance himself from the matter by playing the role of "The Mediator."

and most importantly...

5. Mary Teicholtz, the other Common Council member who received the emails, did NOTHING in terms of expressing any sense of disapproval over the letters to Basso actions NOR did she tell Basso to stop sending her the emails.

There have been some new developments including a call for a boycott of the Tribuna Newspaper (story developing) and reports of Basso being up to her old tricks and spreading "jokes" to people at a dedication over the weekend.

I personally know of at least 20 letters to the editor from outraged residents and organizations, which were sent to the News-Times.

Although this is not one of those letters, expect a long flow of comments blasting Urice Basso and Boughton's reaction to the whole episode over the next two weeks.

[...]

As a Danbury resident of the past 41 years and a former member of the Danbury Common Council, I would like to congratulate the Rev. Ivan Pitts for leading the charge in bringing this despicable substance to the vanguard.

It's regrettable that such unintelligent maneuvers by a skimpy array of Danbury politicians conjure up such an undeserving negative public image of Danbury's ethnic posture. It's offensive and humiliating for the residents of Danbury to endure the unnecessary pain engineered by scruffy and self-serving city officials.

Obviously, Pauline Basso's and Joel Urice's erratic political behavior betrays the confidence and public trust of Danbury's voters.

By virtue of that very fact, neither Basso nor Urice deserve the honor of being elected on Nov. 6.

Beverly B. Johnson

DANBURY

Bravo!

Don't let Basso Urice, TEICHOLTZ, or the lack of leadership from Mark Boughton off the hook. Each are equally responsible for this mess (Basso, Urice, and Teicholtz for their role in the matter and Boughton for lack of leadership) and don't deserve your respect or your vote.

If the response to the keynote NAACP speech and feedback I'm receiving from people I talked this weekend are any indication, I think it's safe to say that people are extremely angry at the Grand Ole Party right now. If you're angry now, wait till you see the comments from arrogant Urice and the always shameless Lynn Waller.

NOTE: Although I have no problem receiving your comments of outrage, if you really want to be heard, I encourage you to send your anger to the News-Times.

News-Times mailing address
The News-Times
333 Main Street
Danbury, CT 06810

News & Editorial (203) 744-5100 editor@newstimes.com

Send a letter and express your outrage towards all those involved in this disgraceful act that's brought shame to OUR city.