Letter: The travesty of a witch hunt

Letter to the editor

The people who attempted to railroad Chief Antoine Sheppard with their flimsy unfounded allegations have demonstrated their lack of professionalism and consideration for the citizens—their electorate. This became even more evident when I witnessed their handling of the July 7 High Springs City Commission meeting. High Springs is justifiably proud of its railroad heritage. However, they used it badly when their actions were tantamount to an unpleasant attempted railroading of Chief Sheppard.

Indeed, they are supposed to serve with intelligence and fairness, yet everything they did or didn’t do speaks of apparent ignorance and absolute lack of care. Knowing there would be attendance that far exceeded the capacity of their commission chambers, they did nothing that suggested they cared even a little about accommodating their citizens and Chief Sheppard’s many supporters. One who indicated she had traveled as far away as St. Petersburg, FL. Some were from all over Alachua County and some surrounding counties. Yet unsuccessfully being able to thin the numbers, they abruptly approved a motion to suspend the agenda to July 23rd and then got up and walked out within five minutes of the meeting being called to order. Yes, they reinstated the Chief, but that did nothing to calm the stress, mistrust, disrespect, and time waste of those who came out, nor the deprivation of public comment. The commission’s only other concern was that it would be a longer meeting than they were willing to sit through; a 5-minute meeting is probably the shortest ever.

When leaders are incapable of managing more than the status quo, they need to go! As to the five-minute abruptly concluded July 7 High Springs City Commission meeting, the sensible, smart thing to do would have been to schedule the meeting in a larger, more accommodating venue. They already knew weeks before that there would be a larger turnout. This larger venue would have permitted a meeting of consideration, decent and in order. That five-minute meeting was a blatantly huge slap in the face of the people who came out to participate. It demonstrated cowardice and self-preservation of those in charge of an unfounded witch hunt!

The fact that he was reinstated did nothing to heal the smearing of his name, nor the stress, frustration, humiliation, and anger it inspired in his family, the community, and anyone who cares about fairness and right action. Fortunately, their underhanded behavior did not, cannot, and will not stop a strong, educated man from speaking truth and fighting for his people—the men in blue as well as the community he serves.

Despite his accomplishments, he continues to be a humble man of integrity; the qualities he was taught and has always exhibited from childhood to manhood. Seemingly jealous-hearted misinformation and disinformation put a temporary stain and undue strain on those who love and respect him. But it can’t stop him. High Springs elected officials and staff who perpetrated this seemingly arrogant, jealous-hearted harm ought to be ashamed! Shalom.

Patricia Lee, Gainesville

The opinions expressed by letter or opinion writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AlachuaChronicle.com. Assertions of facts in letters are similarly the responsibility of the author. Letters may be submitted to info@alachuachronicle.com and are published at the discretion of the editor.