Mark Nadeau and Tom Murray’s use of the word “nigger” was a single isolated incident.
And, contrary to charges by Cobleskill Highway Superintendent Tom Fissell, there is not a culture of racism “at the highest levels of Coblesill leadership.”
That, in 10 lines, sums up the independent investigation into the controversy that has consumed Cobleskill since June.
Councilmen accepted the report by attorney Earl Redding for the Albany law firm Roemer Wallens Gold & Mineaux following a two-hour executive session Monday.
Mr. Murray was excluded from a portion of the closed session, during which councilmen said they also planned to discuss the possible removal of Mr. Fissell.
The only action taken afterwards, however, was to accept the report and agree to make it public after the names of most of those interviewed by Mr. Redding were blacked out to protect their privacy.
When asked by members of the Cobleskill Concerned Citizens to at least summarize Mr. Redding’s findings, councilmen said that on the advice of their attorney, they are letting the report speak for itself.
Cobleskill Concerned Citizens spokesman David Keenan said Tuesday the report took 11 weeks to compile and the group wants to take its time reviewing the findings before reacting.
Mr. Keenan did say, though, that they’re pleased Mr. Redding did not find racism rampant in Cobleskill.
“That confirms what we all believe: That this is not a racist community,” he said.
“But at the same time, we expect Mr. Murray to make good on his promise to apologize for what he said now that the report has finally been released.”
Mr. Redding’s findings conclude that Mr. Nadeau and Mr. Murray did use the word “nigger” as Mr. Fissell charged, in “a single, isolated incident.
“There is a not a pattern of comments and actions to show a definite picture and culture of racism at the highest levels of Cobleskill leadership,” Mr. Redding wrote, and “The single, isolated use of a derogatory term does not, in and of itself, rise to a level requiring removal…
“Whether Supervisor Murray apologizes for his speech is a subjective decision that he must make. Whether he chooses to resign for his use of the derogatory term is also a subjective decision.
“Ultimately, whether Supervisor Murray continues in his position as supervisor is not only his decision, but will also be a decision to be made by the electorate.”
Based on this, Mr. Redding recommends:
• All employees and public officials in the Town of Cobleskill undergo discrimination and harassment training.
• The Town of Cobleskill adopt a Discrimination and Harassment Policy”.
An Anti-Bias Committee is already at work developing policies for both the town and the village; spokesman Sue Spivack said they expect to have a draft ready by the town’s next meeting for adoption in October or November.