Sunday, July 26, 2020

Morroney Apologizes, Clarifies Racism Statement

Blogger's Note:
The following is Limerick Supervisor Patrick Morrorney's response to the statement published here yesterday by the other four supervisors. Like theirs, it is presented here in its entirety.

In response to their letter dated July 24, 2020, I thank my Republican colleagues for the opportunity to further clarify my position on this matter. While tempers may have flared on both sides of the discussion at the township meeting, I will take this opportunity to apologize for referring to my colleagues as racist. I cannot speak to what is in their hearts personally. What I should have said is that in my opinion I feel their thought process and actions do not appear to be inclusive and some of my constituents consider their inaction to be racist. However, it does appear that my comments have caused my colleagues to take a painful look at their lack of courage on the Joe Gale issue.

Further, my opinion is that we as a board owe an apology to the residents of Limerick
Patrick Morroney
Township for our continued failure to conduct the township’s business in a manner that doesn’t put our residents health at risk. I urge my Republican colleagues, let’s be smart about this. If you insist on in person meetings - wear a mask, and ask your supporters to do the same. It is the law, and it is the least we can do to protect each other. While we as a board may sit 6’ from attendees at these meetings, we have a responsibility to set an example for safe gathering. That is not political. It promotes the safety of our residents, which is my primary concern.

My Republican colleagues cannot hide years of actively resisting diversifying Limerick township appointed committees and staff by presenting one letter and stating that is proof they are promoting inclusivity. Their actions speak otherwise, such as the recent appointment of a "questionably" qualified white male to the planning committee, this after rejecting twice, a highly qualified African-American (Ivy League educated) applicant to the same planning committee. The demographics of Limerick have been steadily changing. It is my hope that our committees and hopefully even our board of supervisors will eventually reflect diverse representation.

Further, any inference that my Democrat constituents have some agenda, other than that which they have clearly stated at the BOS meetings, is both off base and offensive. At both BOS meetings these residents have presented their concerns as wanting to have “live streamed” public access to the meetings, compliance with state mandate mask wearing and other requirements at in person meetings, and a Limerick BOS public statement condemning the racist statement from Joe Gale. That is why they were there! My comment about the November 3rd election at the end of the July 21st meeting was a reaction to the board ignoring my request, and was in no way connected to why residents were at the meeting.

Further, Joe Gale's comments affect my constituent's in Limerick, some of whom are black and exercised their right to peacefully protest in the Black Lives Matter movement. His statement was received as racist and should be denounced. Limerick is located in Montgomery County and is affected by what happens in MontCo, just like every other municipality. I stand with "all" of my Limerick constituents, Black and White, Democrat and Republican. I can say without hesitation that "Black lives matter" and "Black people matter" without feeling that this statement needs to be followed up with another statement about how I support our local police and other first responders. That goes without saying. But recent racial unrest and violence against black citizens apparently does not, so I stand with them in their fight for equal justice under the law. I encourage my fellow Republican Limerick BOS colleagues to give this some thought and stand in unity with me to serve all of our constituents. We are stronger together.

29 comments:

  1. Extremely Well Articulated !!!

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  2. Well in reading and attending most meetings I can say Mr. Morroney did not write this and that's a fact. Also it's more misleading and lies, the board has appointed people of the other party. Also if the last election is any indication Morroney will be a one term supervisor. The board represent over 20k people not the 25 supporters he has and has not learned. He will continue to be disruptive based on his response and clearly shows he feeds off his party members that show up yell scream and curse to try to get what he wants. I also think Mr. Morroney is a legend in his own mind I witness it often. The board needs to keep doing what they are doing because they represent the entire community of Limerick.

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    1. Anonymous, and you ought to stay that way. It takes some nerve to assume Supervisor Morroney didn't write his posted response but the Republican supervisors did. Then you claim he lied and stated the board has elected people of the other party. If you read Mr. Morroney's post you would know he referred to the boards refusal to appoint an African-American to the planning committee. For your information that alone proves that they are "racist"! Supervisor Morroney was elected with 1,584 or 51.41% of the voters in Limerick, so if anyone should be worried about re-election, it's the Republicans on the Limerick Board of Supervisors! By the way, Chairman Neafcy needs to show some decorum and to stop yelling at and interrupting residents during their public comments. Clearly Thomas Neafcy is equal to anyone in having a legend complex!

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    2. From the guy who uses the F-word at public meeting I was there so peddle you BS somewhere else....you hate every republican enough said...from the owner of the Limerick Democrat FB page yea your not partisan.

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    3. and I apologized to the Board and to the public at that meeting. You conveniently left that out! You will never hear me say that I am not partisan. That's another of your unfounded assumptions. I am a Democrat and I'm proud of it! I also am not hiding who I am, anonymous. Also for your information I don't need to hate, and there are many Republicans in Limerick who want friends with me. Why, because they know that I am honest with them.

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  3. IT'S NOT A LAW again you don't understand Wolf's order and how government works....I agree previous post one term! You need to do your apology in person.

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    1. Anonymous, be happy you got an apology. The ability to show contrition is apparently something that only Democrats are capable of. You should stay anonymous. It fits you.

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    2. From the party of hate......should be happy. Again divert from the facts NOT A LAW!

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    3. Anonymous calling Democrats the party of hate is not helping your argument. You should quit now before you dig yourself a deeper hole.

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    4. IT'S NOT A LAW

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Joe Gale's comment was not racist, it was truth. Too bad some call racist when you disagree with what was said. We need Joe Gale in Montco.

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  6. That was not an apology that was an insult, read the article the whole article is a lecture if I was a current board member I would not accept this week attempt. As Oliver Cannady said "Anonymous, be happy you got an apology" it sounds like more leftist spin to divert truth and facts. As for Mr. Morroney's big win 51% is not a big win, he ran against a man who didn't campaign because his wife was dying of cancer. The last election was a big win with 500 plus votes that I would call a landslide in local races. Also the person you say they refuse to put on is that you? I guess it would make sense to install the person that attack's them at every corner and only has politics in mind not the residents of Limerick, yea that would be so smart of them give me a break. Correct me if I'm wrong but I can think of two democrats they have appointed to the planning commission so I would say is not politics with them.

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  7. Anonymous, we still don't know who you are. You are the only one who is diverting here. Appointing a less qualified white male over a more qualified minority, when Limerick Township already has an identifiable problem with diversity, demonstrates clearly the Limerick BOS's motives. The BOS discriminates against their constituents who don't look like them and who have different political views. The constant use of the word leftist by you and the actions and failure to act by the BOS on issues of diversity, inclusion and Black Lives Matter proves that. It's rich that Patrick Morroney is accused of being divisive when the Republican's running the township through their attitudes and actions prevent Limerick from becoming the inclusive community it needs to become at a time Limericks population is becoming more diverse.

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  8. Let me first say I wrote one post the post your responded too, not the others....WOW just WOW your reply says it all. " Appointing a less qualified white male over a more qualified minority" WOW how do you know that...I agree with other post you dislike republicans it clearly shows. Also didn't you run for supervisor and lost, we rejected your policies than and we reject them now.

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  9. Mr. Anonymous, sounds like #45. Being extremely defensive and Combative on Twitter

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  10. Still don't know who you are anonymous, but I have my suspicions. Yes, I performed my civic duty and ran for office. And just as you have in the past, I lost that election. But my running helped to pave the way, opening up Limerick Township and allowing the first Democrat in decades, Patrick Morroney, to be elected to the Township Board of Supervisors. As to how I know the white male appointed to the planning was less qualified, I won't go into detail here, but I know him personally and he would tell you himself that he is a far less qualified candidate and was appointed for political reasons. Also, you should explain what my feelings toward Republicans, and again I don't hate anyone, has to do with the price of tea in China. Again I ask, who are you and why are you feeling so threatened?

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  11. Let's not play this game color is not a qualification.... isn't the guy your referring too a small business owner a contractor. I doubt he told you he was less qualified....and it should be you? I can say with 100% accuracy when the democrats were in charge they NEVER appointed one republican....I'm done you have a nice day

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  12. You "are" playing games Mr. Anonymous, by hiding your identity. The black candidate for the Limerick planning committee was educated at Harvard University, worked 35 years at a major insurance carrier in various management roles including Mergers and Acquisitions, and Quality Improvement. He served on several boards as chair or vice-chair including the largest Health Advocacy Agency in PA, and has been involved in civic activities in the Townships of Phoenixville, Pottstown and Limerick. Not is he just qualified, but "over qualified"! I have no doubt that the white male, whose only qualifications are being a contractor, small business owner and married to a Republican member of the SF school board, would agree. I know him and he is a nice guy, and unlike you, he does not exhibit a sense of entitlement and privilege. I have been "done with you", but you keep posting (and hiding your identity). Just say your name!!!

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  13. Mr Cannady seems like you are into a lot of self promotion and by the way no one with half a brain believes Mr Morroney wrote that response.It is not a apology it is more of a lecture.

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  14. Mr. Cannady I think shame on you for thinking just because you have a degree from a high end college that you think you have more knowledge than a man who works with his hands and has real world experience with the job at hand. Also just with the comments you have posted here I would not appoint you to dog catcher. You are an angry man and should seek some help. I don't care if the board appoints anyone white pink or purple as long as they can do the job color of a person should never come into play. For the record are you the man of whom you and Mr. Morroney speak? If so your just pissed because you didn't get the job open and shut.

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  15. Understand this, the last thing I need is another responsibility. My only motive for offering to serve Limerick was to bring some diversity to the township and offer my skills to our community. The only anger I feel is in response to the undercurrent of partisanship and racism that continues to exist with the townships Republican leaders. I get that you either don't want to hear what I've said or are you are just in denial. That doesn't make my comments any less true.

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  16. I disagree with your statement, people here are not racist just because you didn't get what you wanted, your comments cause division your should think before you speak if you went to an Ivy league school and just stop with the party talk it weakens your argument.

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  17. I'm sick of hearing that word "diversity" we are all just people get out of here with that crap.

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  18. Do you even know the meaning of the word? I'll help.... Diversity means having a range of people with various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds and various lifestyles, experience, and interests. Having a variety of individuals and points of view represented in the department. Diversity is a group of people who are different in the same place. If you really believed "we are all just people" you would embrace the word diversity. You sir are a hypocrite!

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  19. I'll leave you with this thought cause you go through life with blinders on, play that race card somewhere else we all get along in the town till someone like you want to stir the pot and create something that doesn't exist. I'm glad the board did not appoint you to any board because your nothing but a troublemaker. You have the Sir part incorrect.

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  20. My words are lost on some, but perhaps the words of the Honorable John Lewis written from his deathbed may reach others and explain why it's important that "Black Lives Matter".

    By John Lewis
    Lewis, a civil rights leader and a member of the US congress who died on July 17, wrote this essay shortly before his death, to be published upon the day of his funeral. July 30, 2020

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  21. While my time here has now come to an end, I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my life you inspired me. You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the great American story when you used your power to make a difference in our society. Millions of people motivated simply by human compassion laid down the burdens of division. Around the country and the world you set aside race, class, age, language and nationality to demand respect for human dignity.
    That is why I had to visit Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, though I was admitted to the hospital the following day. I just had to see and feel it for myself that, after many years of silent witness, the truth is still marching on.
    Emmett Till was my George Floyd. He was my Rayshard Brooks, Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor. He was 14 when he was killed, and I was only 15 years old at the time. I will never ever forget the moment when it became so clear that he could easily have been me. In those days, fear constrained us like an imaginary prison, and troubling thoughts of potential brutality committed for no understandable reason were the bars.
    Though I was surrounded by two loving parents, plenty of brothers, sisters and cousins, their love could not protect me from the unholy oppression waiting just outside that family circle. Unchecked, unrestrained violence and government-sanctioned terror had the power to turn a simple stroll to the store for some Skittles or an innocent morning jog down a lonesome country road into a nightmare. If we are to survive as one unified nation, we must discover what so readily takes root in our hearts that could rob Mother Emanuel Church in South Carolina of her brightest and best, shoot unwitting concertgoers in Las Vegas and choke to death the hopes and dreams of a gifted violinist like Elijah McClain.
    Like so many young people today, I was searching for a way out, or some might say a way in, and then I heard the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on an old radio. He was talking about the philosophy and discipline of nonviolence. He said we are all complicit when we tolerate injustice. He said it is not enough to say it will get better by and by. He said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out. When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.
    Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.
    You must also study and learn the lessons of history because humanity has been involved in this soul-wrenching, existential struggle for a very long time. People on every continent have stood in your shoes, through decades and centuries before you. The truth does not change, and that is why the answers worked out long ago can help you find solutions to the challenges of our time. Continue to build union between movements stretching across the globe because we must put away our willingness to profit from the exploitation of others.
    Though I'm not here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.
    When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.

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