Mayor needs to learn tolerance

[HomeyG]

HomeyG - She certainly was'nt acting like a Christian.

I'm curious why your comment was addressed to me, I thought I have been fairly neutral until your posts.

[AMSTERDAM]

I am giving my honest opinion, like you, which is what the fence post is about, right?? Your comment to me; "We will see if you walk like a christian or just talk like a christian." is a self righteous, judgemental statement in my eyes, not "honesty". Im not on the computer all day everyday. I just read this article today and flipped through the posts here on the fence post so my outrage is raw. She should be humiliated by her action.
She is the MAYOR of a town in the County I live in! Forgiveness or not, actions have consequences and if she is humiliated and embarrassed, then she shouldn't have behaved that way. She made her bed......

[HomeyG]

I am giving my honest opinion, like you, which is what the fence post is about, right?? Your comment to me; "We will see if you walk like a christian or just talk like a christian." is a self righteous, judgemental statement in my eyes, not "honesty". Im not on the computer all day everyday. I just read this article today and flipped through the posts here on the fence post so my outrage is raw. She should be humiliated by her action.
She is the MAYOR of a town in the County I live in! Forgiveness or not, actions have consequences and if she is humiliated and embarrassed, then she shouldn't have behaved that way. She made her bed......

Perhaps my comment was out of line and if it offended you I apologize, but you did come across fairly judgemental yourself. Haven't you done anything to be humiliated or embarrassed, I know I have, but I do expect some kind of forgiveness as I'm sure you do to. Was her act bigoted, sure. Is she a malicious bigot, I don't think so. Looking at the definition of bigotry, I think all of us at one time or another could be called a bigot by what we said or done.

[AMSTERDAM]

All I know is that when someone shows you who
they are, believe them. Apology accepted.

[LuciusBeebe]

GARRETT — The mayor of Garrett apologized to a local business owner Monday for an incident Aug. 28 in which she threw away a small stack of religious pamphlets in front of a cash register at Garrett Quickway, 608 S. Randolph St.

Full story (requires subscription):

http://www.kpcnews.com/index.php?opt...ticle&id=42778

Thanks to KPC for pursuing the story.

[garrettguy]

Thanks to KPC for pursuing the story.

Some people will not be placated, particularly LuciusBeebe and Hoosier Helen, and honestly I don't even know why I bother to engage.

However, I just want to point out one more time that Tonya has done a tremendous amount for her community. Seriously, if you stop and look at the progress she has made for Garrett, it is immeasurable compared to the last few mayors we have had.

She made a huge mistake and did a stupid thing, probably not thinking when she did it. She reflected on it and apologized both publicly and privately. What more do you want? My sense is even if they put her in jail, you'd still think that wasn't sufficiently just punishment.

Your intentions are clear- you hate Tonya, you have never liked her, and you are here to drag her name through the mud (in a greater way than is necessary or deserved) despite the fact that she is not the demon you make her out to be. If you knew her, you would know that she is a wonderful woman and so intensely dedicated to making her community a better place, though obviously she will make a few mistakes along the way.

Furthermore, I believe the people of Garrett will judge her on her sum total contributions to the city of Garrett, in which there are far more positives than negatives. Thankfully, Garrett residents are nearly as myopic or unforgiving as some folks on this post.

We desire perfect people to enter public life, and that is a desire that will never be fulfilled. Tonya's not perfect, but she's the best thing that has happened to Garrett in a long time.

[AMSTERDAM]

Dragging her name through the mud? This is a discussion board, people are discussing this matter as they should. As for the Mayor of Garrett "Not thinking" when she purposely took ALL of the pamphlets and threw
them in the trash? She was thinking, just not of the video surveillance camera she did this in front of. Let's be real here folks, no one is crucifying this woman. We are merely discussing the actions in which she chose (as a citizen and elected leader) to take. We are in America, where many different religions are practiced and misunderstood. She chose to throw the informative pamphlets away because she was disgusted that they weren't in line with her own beliefs, which in return could rob someone of the oppertunity to learn about the people, who in most cases are different than us and serve our community. Most of us on here agree that behavior like that isn't welcome in our community, no matter who you are. That's it. I cherish this discussion board because it lets Americans practice their right of free speech. Even if it isn't flattering about unflattering actions. I pray for this woman. She is embarrassed and humiliated and this will surely teach her and others to be more tolerant and well behaved, because someone is always watching.

[LuciusBeebe]

Your intentions are clear- you hate Tonya, you have never liked her, and you are here to drag her name through the mud

Never heard of her until this thread, Chief.

[hairypumper]

Some people will not be placated, particularly LuciusBeebe and Hoosier Helen, and honestly I don't even know why I bother to engage.

However, I just want to point out one more time that Tonya has done a tremendous amount for her community. Seriously, if you stop and look at the progress she has made for Garrett, it is immeasurable compared to the last few mayors we have had.

She made a huge mistake and did a stupid thing, probably not thinking when she did it. She reflected on it and apologized both publicly and privately. What more do you want? My sense is even if they put her in jail, you'd still think that wasn't sufficiently just punishment.

Your intentions are clear- you hate Tonya, you have never liked her, and you are here to drag her name through the mud (in a greater way than is necessary or deserved) despite the fact that she is not the demon you make her out to be. If you knew her, you would know that she is a wonderful woman and so intensely dedicated to making her community a better place, though obviously she will make a few mistakes along the way.

Furthermore, I believe the people of Garrett will judge her on her sum total contributions to the city of Garrett, in which there are far more positives than negatives. Thankfully, Garrett residents are nearly as myopic or unforgiving as some folks on this post.

We desire perfect people to enter public life, and that is a desire that will never be fulfilled. Tonya's not perfect, but she's the best thing that has happened to Garrett in a long time.

Perhaps you should take a minute to think before you post. Nobody here hates Tonya. We find her actions in this case completely unacceptable, but we don't hate her. Your obvious passion for her makes me wonder what the connection is. Family? Worshipper? Stalker?

[evilkumquat]

This whole situation with the Garrett mayor reminds me of a local professional who was caught shoplifting on camera.

This person was in a gas station with a friend and while at the counter paying for his fuel purchase, the clerk momentarily left the counter unattended. In that brief time, the local professional snagged some small items off the counter and pocketed them. He was caught and pleaded guilty to a minor misdemeanor conversion charge because he was too stupid to realize his actions were being filmed by security cameras. What's amazing is how successful this professional is in his career and is still so. My own personal dealings with him have shown him to be an opportunist and as the shoplifting conviction shows, he is willing to enrich himself at the expense of others if he thinks he can get away with it. The fact that he is routinely trusted with others' property sickens me.

Hoeffel's actions are very similar. When she thought no one was watching, she acted in a manner that showed her true colors (petty and bigoted). This candid recording reveals her character more than any number of public apologies. How can she be trusted to conduct city business in a fair, impartial manner? What if the next time she has to make a decision that would benefit or harm a Sikh, Muslim, Jew or any other non-Christian? Her reputation is irreparably damaged and if the city in question was larger than a cow town, her own party would have likely forced her to resign.

I can only hope that Garrett remembers this the next election and ignores the big (R) next to her name.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm sure plenty in Garrett (or the entire state of Indiana for that matter) applaud those actions she took against what they consider an "outsider".

[HomeyG]

This whole situation with the Garrett mayor reminds me of a local professional who was caught shoplifting on camera.

This person was in a gas station with a friend and while at the counter paying for his fuel purchase, the clerk momentarily left the counter unattended. In that brief time, the local professional snagged some small items off the counter and pocketed them. He was caught and pleaded guilty to a minor misdemeanor conversion charge because he was too stupid to realize his actions were being filmed by security cameras. What's amazing is how successful this professional is in his career and is still so. My own personal dealings with him have shown him to be an opportunist and as the shoplifting conviction shows, he is willing to enrich himself at the expense of others if he thinks he can get away with it. The fact that he is routinely trusted with others' property sickens me.

Hoeffel's actions are very similar. When she thought no one was watching, she acted in a manner that showed her true colors (petty and bigoted). This candid recording reveals her character more than any number of public apologies. How can she be trusted to conduct city business in a fair, impartial manner? What if the next time she has to make a decision that would benefit or harm a Sikh, Muslim, Jew or any other non-Christian? Her reputation is irreparably damaged and if the city in question was larger than a cow town, her own party would have likely forced her to resign.

I can only hope that Garrett remembers this the next election and ignores the big (R) next to her name.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm sure plenty in Garrett (or the entire state of Indiana for that matter) applaud those actions she took against what they consider an "outsider".

Evil,

You have a history of not liking Republicans and anything religious. Could it be that these are the two things that bother you and not what she did?

[HomeyG]

Some people will not be placated, particularly LuciusBeebe and Hoosier Helen, and honestly I don't even know why I bother to engage.

However, I just want to point out one more time that Tonya has done a tremendous amount for her community. Seriously, if you stop and look at the progress she has made for Garrett, it is immeasurable compared to the last few mayors we have had.

She made a huge mistake and did a stupid thing, probably not thinking when she did it. She reflected on it and apologized both publicly and privately. What more do you want? My sense is even if they put her in jail, you'd still think that wasn't sufficiently just punishment.

Your intentions are clear- you hate Tonya, you have never liked her, and you are here to drag her name through the mud (in a greater way than is necessary or deserved) despite the fact that she is not the demon you make her out to be. If you knew her, you would know that she is a wonderful woman and so intensely dedicated to making her community a better place, though obviously she will make a few mistakes along the way.

Furthermore, I believe the people of Garrett will judge her on her sum total contributions to the city of Garrett, in which there are far more positives than negatives. Thankfully, Garrett residents are nearly as myopic or unforgiving as some folks on this post.

We desire perfect people to enter public life, and that is a desire that will never be fulfilled. Tonya's not perfect, but she's the best thing that has happened to Garrett in a long time.

I agree mostly with what GarrettGuy posted. Although Tonya made a mistake it is not indicative of what she is really like. I wouldn't say that people hate Tonya but I would say that some hate what she represents, a Republican and a christian. I think Tonya has done some good things for Garrett and I think there are more to come.

[Mr Douglas]

A better questron is- why do so many Christians and Republicans think their beliefs are a license to act like jerks toward others?

[SportsFan]

If there were no video surveillance would Queen Tonya's story still be she took one pamphlet?

[HoosierHelen]

Some people will not be placated, particularly LuciusBeebe and Hoosier Helen, and honestly I don't even know why I bother to engage.

Garrettguy,

I'm not clear where you are coming from when you say I cannot be placated? Did you notice my previous posting thanking KPC for their article on this incident? Frankly, I feel this incident was handled in a constructive manner. I expressed this feeling in my prior posting after James informed us that this article had been published. (See my posting #93)

Garrettguy, I do not know Tonya, I have no hatred for her personally. I disapprove of her actions that created this incident. She has apologized, those she has wronged have forgiven her. The incident is history now. I certainly feel placated because it was handled properly.

Hopefully, you understand me a bit better now?

[evilkumquat]

Evil,

You have a history of not liking Republicans and anything religious. Could it be that these are the two things that bother you and not what she did?

Well, when the majority of ****heads acting like Hoeffel quit being Republican and/or religious, maybe I wouldn't look quite so poorly on those two ideologies.

On a related note, whenever I hear of a politician doing something bad, I do cringe and feel very apprehensive until I find out what party they belong to.

I must say I have have much less to be ashamed of with the Democratic Party than those who follow the other guys.

[sturmtiger]

I have to say that I was ready to let bygones be bygones and let this go. Mr Nagra and the people of Garrett Petroleum Were thankful for the apology and don't care to pursue it. However, after reading the article in The Star I just cannot quite get it wrapped up. Mayor Hoeffel states "It was a mistake","It was an unrighteous act",. "I gave them my sincere apology". On the surface that sounds good. However, she also says when asked by Mr. Magra why she took ALL the pamphlets that "It is against my beliefs" "This is against Christianity". Now then, Is it against your beliefs or not Mayor Hoeffel? If it is then why are you apologizing?

She also stated that " I reject discrimination for any reason". Was that not exactly what she did by taking all the pamphlets and throwing them away?

There is also the matter of her Lying. She stated earlier that she took ONE pamphlet and when she saw what it was about she threw it away. Lying is Lying no matter how small Mayor Hoeffel. If you lie about something like this. What else will you lie about.

[LuciusBeebe]

Evil,

You have a history of not liking Republicans and anything religious. Could it be that these are the two things that bother you and not what she did?

This is twice now that you've implied this.

For being the vast majority in this country, its amazing the persecution complex some christians have. Especially considering this story, in which the CHRISTIAN DID THE PERSECUTING.

So yes, yes... Assume we're the intolerant ones, Homey.

Unbelievable.

[HomeyG]

This is twice now that you've implied this.

For being the vast majority in this country, its amazing the persecution complex some christians have. Especially considering this story, in which the CHRISTIAN DID THE PERSECUTING.

So yes, yes... Assume we're the intolerant ones, Homey.

Unbelievable.

I'm not implying anything, I'm saying that he dislikes anything Republican or religious and it affects his decision-making. I'm saying if the mayor, who threw away religious pamphlets, was a non-believer he would have said nothing.

[sturmtiger]

I'm not implying anything, I'm saying that he dislikes anything Republican or religious and it affects his decision-making. I'm saying if the mayor, who threw away religious pamphlets, was a non-believer he would have said nothing.

I cannot speak for Evil but, in my case I don't care iwhat her political or religious beliefs are. Her ACTIONS and her ACTIONS after the incident are what I find offensive.