Councilmen: Go. Murray: No.

8/11/2010

By Patsy Nicosia

Councilmen: Go. Murray: No.

Cobleskill’s councilmen demanded Supervisor Tom Murray’s resignation Monday; he refused.
“I deny your request,” an angry Mr. Murray said after Councilman Ken Hotopp asked that he resign.
“I was not expecting a disgruntled department head to tape my remarks. I am not a racist and I resent these slanderous allegations and insult to my character…”
Mr. Murray has been under fire since June, when Highway Superintendent Tom Fissell released an audio tape of him using the “n-word.”
Mr. Fissell—who drew as much heat as Mr. Murray at Monday’s meeting—also recorded Mayor Mark Nadeau using the “n-word.”
Mr. Nadeau has resigned.
In a brief statement also signed by Councilmen Tim Purcell and Sherwood Veith, Mr. Hotopp said the controversy is consuming Cobleskill.
“We request and urge and call for [Mr. Murray] to show his respect for the people of this community and tender his resignation immediately,” Mr. Hotopp read, asking the audience of 75 to hold any applause.
Though admitting “it would be less painful if I resigned,” Mr. Murray refused and said he would press on to guarantee town employees “a non-hostile work environment where they’re not tape-recorded behind their backs,” again a reference to Mr. Fissell.
Councilman Ryan McAllister, who did not sign the resignation request, said he feared doing so could jeopardize the independent investigation into Mr. Fissell’s allegations that racism in Cobleskill’s government is “pervasive.”
“I also condemn racial slurs and racism,” Mr. McAllister said. “I’ve already said that if I ever used the n-word, I would resign.
“However, we’re paying for this study…I’m frustrated that we don’t have a report tonight.”
Supporters of Mr. Murray took the mic in his defense—and to demand Mr. Fissell’s job.
Mark McDermott said Mr. Fissell’s actions are only an attempt to deflect attention from himself and the poor job he’s doing.
“He should at least be suspended without pay while this is being investigated,” he said.
Gary Brady, who detailed his own run-ins with Mr. Fissell, said Mr. Murray isn’t the problem.
“I think Mr. Murray should stay,” he said. “I wish people would stop saying he should go. Mr. Fissell is not doing his job.”
Bill Romain blasted just about everyone in the room, asking for a show of hands from those who’d ever used the “n-word;” four hands went up.
“Wop. Chink. Spic. They’re all part of American slang…
“Cobleskill is sinking fast,” he said. “We do not need all this baloney in this town…
“Do you live here? Pay taxes here? If not, leave, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We do not need outside help to keep this town going.”
Calling himself, not only a Sloughter, but by nationality, a “Guinea,” Mark Galasso said he’s offended by accusations that paint all of Cobleskill as racist.
“I have an entire life history here that says that’s not true.”
Mr. Galasso said he doesn’t condone Mr. Murray’s statements but doesn’t believe he should resign, either; that will eventually be up to the voters.
Like others, Mr. Galasso pointed out the tapes were edited, asked who else Mr. Fissell recorded, and said he knows Mr. Murray and Mr. Nadeau were both dissatisfied with Mr. Fissell’s job performance.
“Was the timing intended to deflect criticism? For blackmail? Extortion? How many tapes of me do you have?
“Mr. Fissell lacks the character to be a public servant. He should be fired immediately.”