I, too, have had some personal issues (out-of-state wedding of my son, and some medical matters) that have precluded my attending the public forums held by council members earlier this year. However, you may recall that I attended some of the public forums held during the campaign last fall. I do plan to attend the forum to be held later this month at Councilwoman Scott-Jones’ residence.

Unfortunately, you must have been distracted or you would have seen me at some of the Council meetings since you have been on council.

I do admit that I no longer attend nearly every one, as I used to do for a couple of years about a decade ago.

Well, my “fake name on this blog” (Mike_Presta) is the same as my real name (Mike Presta) without the underscored space. I use the underscored space not to try to hide or to confuse anyone, but only to try to expose any poseurs who may try to impersonate me as they have done in the past. I post under my real name because, in the past, city council members have said that they refuse to take any comments on the internet seriously because the posters use “the cloak of anonymity” to hide their true agendas. I have also been waiting for over ten years for anyone to reveal any “hidden agenda” that I supposedly have. I will continue to wait, while they waste time trying to find what does not exist. 

Yes, I do have a lot to write about, but only because events give me a lot to write about!  I am sure that local officials would prefer that we all remain silent and just accept their actions, right or wrong, and do as they say.  Dictators and tyrants throughout history have felt that way, but, from the very beginning of this great experiment in democracy, the citizenry has had a duty NOT to behave in that way. 

You certainly have seen me “in public expressing those same opinions” and I continue to do so today, and will continue to do so as long as I have the wherewithal to do so.

I “decide[d] to appear and make your[my]self known” over ten years ago, and I see no reason now “to fill these pages and hide behind your [a] fake identity.”

If you have any questions, any questions at all, about why I say, do, or write ANYTHING, please feel free to ask me. You can ask those questions here, on this public forum, or you can call me at home (my address is a matter of public record, as I have given it numerous times when I have APPEARED AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, not more than five feet away from you!)

You seem to be painting with a broad brush, counselor, as there are several others who post here under their real names, and who have also appeared at council meetings and various public forums.

As for those who prefer to remain anonymous, they certainly have good reason to do so, as the vindictive nature of Middletown’s city government is legendary. Nearly everyone who is a business owner inside the City of Middletown; an employee of any business inside the limits of the City of Middletown; or a resident of the city of Middletown has legitimate reason to fear this city’s government.

Regards,

M. D. (Mike) Presta