Supervisor should resign

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September 12, 2007

Racial slur at meeting was appalling

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat Wed Sep 12, 2007, 10:24 AM EDT

We are appalled that a Susquehanna Township supervisor would use a racial slur – especially during an open, public meeting.

And we also are troubled that a fellow supervisor would attempt to shift blame to the media – saying The Tribune-Democrat, in its reporting on the comment, “is trying to smear” the supervisors.

How pathetic.

At a meeting last week, Supervisor Nancy Davis used the phrase “(N-word)-rigged” when describing a decrepit township snowplow that she believed needed to be replaced.

Former supervisor Allen Stossel called for Davis to resign. Stossel said Davis should “step down, and it should be done at the next meeting.”

We agree that Davis should resign from the board. But we don’t think she should wait until the next meeting.

She should step down today. Right now.

That racial slur – in addition to being insensitive and very inappropriate – indicates that Davis is incapable of representing all residents of Susquehanna Township equally, without preference or prejudice.

In a written statement to this newspaper, Davis said: “I am not a racist or never will be a racist. I will not resign.”

We would rather her statement said something like this: “I’m deeply sorry. What I said was inappropriate. I apologize to the residents of Susquehanna Township.”

Without saying so directly, fellow supervisor Linda Wilson supported Davis’ resolution to stay on the board when she employed the age-old tactic of blaming the media.

When asked about the slur, Wilson said: “The Tribune-Democrat is against the current township supervisors in office.”

What a sad, shortsighted comment.

Those who seek out and hold public offices must be held to the highest standard. That means acting and speaking appropriately at all times – including when conducting public business.

And those who hold public offices must realize that their steps – and missteps – will be closely scrutinized by the media, and by the constituents whom those officeholders represent.

Davis should resign.

And Wilson should do some serious thinking about what it means to be a member of the Susquehanna Township Board of Supervisors.

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