Racism is still very much alive and well here in the Lehigh Valley. I'm sure most of you are aware of the outcry after a recent incident between Catasauqua bar owners and an Uber driver. The driver was called a "ni--er lover" when he refused to drive them because of a racially charged comment. Is that an isolated incident? I'd like to think so, but am disheartened to learn that a locally elected official uses language that is just as bigoted. Amy Richard, President of Stockertown Borough Council, has called no one a "ni--er." She prefers the term "jungle monkeys."
I learned of her racist behavior because Stockertown's police Chief, who is under fire in the borough, has shared their text exchanges. What I've seen is appalling.
Back in June 2020, in response to multiple protests over the murder of George Floyd by a police officer, she fired off a text to the police chief, stating 'WE ARE NOT DEFUNDING OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT."
He was a bit confused and did not know what she meant. She responded, "No ...just watching the stupid jungle monkeys on TV demanding that everybody defund police departments....dumb assess!!!"
Then, in July, a Stockertown resident complained to the chief about fireworks bothering her dog. Richard, who has no business telling a police officer what to do, nevertheless instructed the Chief to let it go.
"She won't get any sympathy from me. Sorry about her dogs...It's the 4th of July.... This life is about give and take.. If I have to put up with gay pride month and black history month... deal with it. Thise probably aren't good comparisons."
Do you think?
I spoke with Richard yesterday. She said she had two things to say to me. First, she believes the Chief is incredibly stupid for sharing texts with me because she has an equal amount of dirt on him. Second, she said I should know that emails and texts can be altered.
That's precisely why I wanted to talk to her. I point blank asked her whether she sent a text message referring to protesters as "jungle monkeys."
She said she was not in a courtroom and refused to answer my question.
I also spoke to the Chief. He told me he's unaware that he made any racially offensive comments, but that if he did, he'd be willing to accept responsibility.
There's nothing subtle about Richard's racism.
29 comments:
Let me guess that she is a NJ/NY transplant.
I was a cab driver a long time ago. I had fares that by most observations were racists, drug fiends, drunks, and insane. But I was paid to transport, not judge. Thanks to the woke government and insurers who over-regulated cab companies out of business, we now have woke social justice warriors using their own vehicles (and cell phones with cameras) to pronounce their wokeness on social media and fuck over the people who paid them to transport them safely and professionally. Yeah, I now use Lyft and Uber. But the fucks won't be getting a tip. Keep your yap shut and drive.
"Let me guess that she is a NJ/NY transplant."
That sounds like a bigoted comment,but I notice that prejudice in myself as well. I have no idea where this person was born and raised, but she clearly is a racist.
", we now have woke social justice warriors "
There's nothing "woke" about suggesting that this elected official's use of the term "jungle monkeys" is blatantly racist. Noris there anything "woke" about condemning the use of the term"ni==er lover."
Please don’t blame it on where someone is from. I was born and raised in New Jersey but would never accept this from anyone! We moved here 20 years ago because my husband’s business is here. I love our community but am appalled at our local Representatives and how they behave in our community. We need all new council members and new policies, and new police if they can’t do the job respectfully within the law. It’s just a shame it’s all come to this! As soon as I am well again I will be at the council meeting to watch, listen and learn. Hope for the best and work towards making a change.
The term "woke" is a joke. It's just a way to insult people who, in your opinion, are "overly sensitive" about bigotry.
Totally inappropriate comment, especially from an elected official! It seems she was comfortable using that language with the police chief which leads me to believe he's part of the problem also. Whenever anyone says something like oh, I don't recall ever using that language........but if I did i'm sorry, well that tells you they did LOL.
I’m sorry that doing your part to dismantle white supremacy, a system that you and your ancestors have benefitted from hundreds of years, is too “woke” for you because of course, if these systems of oppression don’t affect you, why should you care?
Choke on a penis, asshole.
Stupid comment. Especially in this day and age.We all know that decades ago, some of these comments were the norm. But as we progressed, we learned (or should have) that this stuff doesn't fly anymore. No excuses for why these terms are used. We know better.
As for text saving, well, that is a whole other topic. There are people who save texts for years. Why? I am guessing to catch someone and hold the info until needed. Personally, I don't hang on to them, but I guess I am not in the game of holding the hammer over someone through years of text and data.
Just remember, in this "woke" society, every single action, utterance, picture, phone call, is fair game from cradle to the grave. People now thrive on looking up dirt on others, regardless of their age, position, race, sexuality etc.
Doesn’t look like she’s getting voted back in, she’s to busy harassing local businesses to care.
Corrupt politicians always scream and cry when they get a caught, look at Luzerne County, The feds need to come in and clean up this place.
Most politicians are worthless shit.
I think in the best interest of the taxpayers that the borough president resigned from her position, and her reign of corruption stops.
She needs to be removed asap. She never spends anytime in the community unless shes causing a problem especially with local businesses. Shes a very bad political figure with a very racist attitude. Im disgusted to even be somewhat associated with the stockertown boro knowing this. Hopefully this goes public and she is forced to resign.
It's equally embarrassing that this story has only generated a few comments. There should be an uproar, not only about the racist comments Amy Richard used, but also with the Police Chief's veiled denial of using similar language. There's obviously a reason why Richard felt comfortable enough to send these private texts to the Chief, considering her assertion that she has an equal amount of dirt on the Chief.
Stay on top of this Bernie.
I hope someone brings this to either 69 news or Lehigh Valley live to expose this bigot
Maybe the chief was smart enough to let her talk and hang herself , maybe we should focus on the one that we have facts about , not anyone else, when there’s evidence , we can attack the chief , until then the borough president is a racist.
What is Amy Richard going to do when people show up in front of her house protesting, there is a shit storm coming for her and she needs to except it.
Is this the women that uses her political position to influence zoning for personal agendas , ask Josh Tree and Lezzer Lumber, she is a bully and tyrant. It is time for her to go. Amy Richard, no one wants you, your time has passed. P.S. stop stealing signs from Lezzer Lumber property.
Omg , she rallied for years to get the Wenzelberger‘s out of council, amd have them fined then she violates the sunshine act and makes a back room deal to create a new mayor. This woman is the definition of corrupt. There is a reason why she has no friends. She has no loyalty, Integrity, or respect for anything that does not suit her or benefit her. People let’s vote for a new borough president and impeach her.
I think the community should go to the next council meeting and put her in her place. No more corrupt politics. It’s time for fresh blood and new members on borough council. Let’s get rid of the dead weight with their personal agendas, let’s do right by the taxpayers, let’s have a transparent government that we can trust. Let this be the beginning of the end of the old regime and their corrupt ways
Soon the rats will eat each other
Stockertown -- please impeach her.
Fair enough
Councilwoman has 60 days to clean up junk, judge says
Updated: Jun. 16, 2016, 3:58 p.m. | Published: Jun. 16, 2016, 2:58 p.m.
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Stockertown councilwoman has 60 days to clean up junk, judge orders
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By Pamela Sroka-Holzmann | For lehighvalleylive.com
A Stockertown councilwoman has 60 days to clean up a pile of junk behind her home or face thousands in fines, a district judge ordered this week.
Rosemarie Wenzelberger pleaded guilty Tuesday to violating a borough ordinance for accumulation of junk on her property in the 100 block of Center Street. The citation included vehicles on the property. according to District Judge John Capobianco's office.
The judge said Wenzelberger received a total of 14 citations but only pleaded guilty to one of them. The rest, Capobianco said, will be continued if Wenzelberger doesn't clean up the property within 60 days.
If the property is not cleaned up, Wenzelberger could face additional citations. Each fine totals anywhere from $300 to $500, according to the judge's office.
Neighbors complained to council within the past five years about garbage accumulating in Wenzelberger's back yard, said council President Amy Richard. The rubbish attracted vermin, including skunks and groundhogs, she said.
On Wednesday, junk remained on the property and there were at least 16 garbage and recycling cans in the back yard.
"There have been multiple piles of junk since 2011 -- it's beyond ridiculous," Richard said. "It's a total mockery for the office she holds. This is a simple borough code law. This should not go on for five years."
Eric Wenzelberger said Wednesday his wife has been very upset about the claims and the couple disputes any vermin coming on the property as a result of garbage. Eric Wenzelberger also has been ill and is disabled, he said.
"I have not been able to work very well," Eric Wenzelberger said. "I do the best I can -- I'm doing a good job of cleaning up. These are projects I got into or my car died and I had to buy another car."
Eric Wenzelberger said he feels he is being retaliated against after losing the November election for a council seat and for his and Rosemarie's involvement in the Stockertown Youth Association. Eric Wenzelberger serves as association vice president and his wife serves as treasurer.
Eric Wenzelberger claims things turned political when the youth association didn't financially support a capital improvement project at the wishes of borough council.
Council wanted to fund upgrades for the pavilion in Newhart Park, he said, but the association balked because the project didn't support the association's mission to "help the children of Stockertown."
"It's a sad thing that you can't run for a borough office without all these problems," he said. "It's a little bit over the top."
Richard called the retaliation claims "bogus" and said it's "not worth" commenting on.
Rosemarie Wenzelberger has served at least two terms on Stockertown Borough Council.
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Bernie, there have been many racist terms used. Many are somewhat subtle but not this one it is about as unsubtle as you can be. I haven't heard that term in years, thank God. Is this the same person you wrote about years ago using the term Moon Crickets? That was something I had never heard in all my years and was surprised when you reported it.
I guess stockertown council would prefer to remain in the good old boys back room deals then enter the real would , they need to go , the residents need to show they won’t put up with it anymore
Amen
Amen
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