SD 15 Death Threat Update
Finally some hard news about the alleged death threats received by some District 15 board members. The Jewish Star has the scoop:
The stakes have risen again in the ongoing feud in the Lawrence school district between Dr. Asher Mansdorf, the president of the school board, and three other school board members, with the anonymous mailing of death threats to Mansdorf’s home and office.His children and grandchildren?? Over the possible closing of schools?? Scary. It's clear that the rancor in this district has escalated.
The letters, which were said to include threats against Mansdorf’s children and grandchildren, are the latest escalation of animosity over last summer’s election of an Orthodox majority to the District 15 school board.
Mansdorf confirmed that he and three other board members received threats last Wednesday, Nov. 8. Acting on the advice of Nassau County Police Department’s 4th Squad detectives, he declined to comment further. The identities of the three other recipients of the threats have not been released.
...The letters threatened harm to the board members and their families if any more schools are closed in District 15.
posted by orthomom at 10:44 PM
7 Comments:
Can you believe what the article quoted from the police department - that this sicko would only be charged with a misdemeanor?
This sicko threatened the lives of four elected public officials and their families with the obvious motivation of stifling democracy and influencing their decisionmaking.
The way the police describe the offense, this sicko would get away with a few hours of community service.
Are people still speculating that OM is Mrs. Mansdorf?
Larry Gordon has outdone himself. In this week's 5TJT he takes the Nassau Herald to task for printing a vicious letter attacking the Orthodox members of the District 15 school board. He writes, "Of course, the writer is within her constitutional rights to express these ideas and sentiments, no matter how hateful. But where is the professional good faith on the part of the Herald to foster civil discourse and promote good relations between the communities regardless of any differences"
So, obviously Mr. Gordon is of the mind that there is enough gasoline around and a newspaper not need throw any more on an already smoldering situation. And that the newspaper is doing a disservice to the community when they do.
But in the very next paragraph he says, "If you didn't see the letter here it is."
No wonder this community is breaking apart. Even "responsible people" like Larry Gordon can't resist fanning the flames of dischord when given a chance.
So, obviously Mr. Gordon is of the mind that there is enough gasoline around and a newspaper not need throw any more on an already smoldering situation. And that the newspaper is doing a disservice to the community when they do.
But in the very next paragraph he says, "If you didn't see the letter here it is."
No wonder this community is breaking apart. Even "responsible people" like Larry Gordon can't resist fanning the flames of dischord when given a chance.
That's ridiculous! It's extremely unfortunate that the rabble rousers who attend the school board meetings and hurl anti-orthodox insults at the board members probably do not even realize that they are somewhat responsible for these sick threats that the board members received. But they are individuals who do not answer to the community. It's unconsciounable for a newspaper to act the same way or to enable this anti-orthodox incitement, as though they're constitutionally prohibited from exercising editorial discretion.
AND OTHER NEWSPAPERS SHOULD BE APPLAUDED FOR GETTING THIS MESSAGE OUT TO THE PUBLIC, HOWEVER NECESSARY.
The Herald editors seem to think that it's ok to maintain an "anything goes" attitude for these letters in their newspaper, because they publish a parallel Jewish newspaper. Maybe now they'll realize they've gone too far.
Okay, let us stick to the issue. As a parent, I am horrified, that somone would go after Dr. Mansdorfs grandchildren. No excuses. It is just plain bizzare. I do not want a school to close, but to threaten a child? This has to stop, enough.
It is just plain bizzare. I do not want a school to close, but to threaten a child? This has to stop, enough.
As a parent who doesn't want a school to close, is it ok to threaten adults?
Can not believe that anyone would take Mr. Gordon to task. In fact his newspaper has been the most unbiased and even handed of all local papers for years. That is right. In the face of years of budget surpluses of 5 million or more it was Mr. Gordon's paper who said so even while the Nassau Herald (a paper and organization that receives thousands and thousands of dollars in District 15 ads every year) maintained Fitzsimons line that there was no money. The Herald supported last years candidates by saying they could not support someone from the private community.This was done after they intervied the candidates. Why did they bother, they knew where they were from. Now the Herald publishes a letter like it did. WOnder if the Herald just wants to keep the taxpayer money flowing into its coffers? Point is Gordon does a great job and tells the truth. Of course the same group that hurls invectives at everyone in the community and does not care about anyone but their own small group think little of the paper. Gordon should expand his coverge to the academic failures of the District. I read the Herald and am tired of the Superintendent and Curriculum PR spin when scores are lower every year.
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