Local elected official an embarrassment
Former Erie County Legislator should have bowed out
The recent actions, or lack thereof, of George A. Holt Jr. can easily be characterized as disgraceful.
Holt is a former Erie County Legislator who maintains that he is entitled to retain his seat in the Legislator despite pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of tax fraud earlier this month.
This is a despicable assumption on the part of a criminal.
Because Holt chose not to voluntarily forfeit his seat, a county attorney had to force this ex-community leader from his post on Wednesday, citing that the legislator violated his oath of office.
Holt embarrassed the people of Erie County, more specifically the people he represented in the County's Third District for having elected him.
When persons designated to hold political office violate the trust of their constituents, whether through committing a crime or by making egregious, insulting remarks, he should have the fortitude to recognize his fault and take appropriate action to show repentance.
Even after some of his colleagues called for his resignation, he refused to step down.
The nerve of this man to continue to serve as a lawmaker while having seriously violated the law himself is incomprehensible.
At least Holt had the courage to admit to his shameful actions.
The right (and responsibility) of free speech
Sharing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
We can assemble. We can believe in the religion of our choice, or choose to not believe in anything at all. We can say and print what we want.
The problem is, we don't always all agree. So how do we go through life without stepping on one another's toes?
The only way free speech can be preserved is by a mutual respect observed by everyone involved. If a certain level of etiquette isn't maintained, one person exercising his or her right can stifle another's life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. No matter what gender, race or creed, every individual deserves to be heard and no individual deserves to be prejudiced.
Say what you want, but say it for yourself.
Free speech does not mean speaking on behalf of someone else. If you are an elected official or the image of an organization, your words reflect your constituents ?N whether in speech or in print, 24/7.
Similarly, speech that infringes on the rights of others is not free; it is said at the expense of others to whom we are equal. It's not a matter of censorship; it's a matter of preserving rights.
We have the right to criticize, critique and to protest. We do not have the right to alienate, threaten or to disparage a person or group we don't agree with.
Our rights, as a society, are only as strong as our ability to abide by our responsibilities.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
