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yipes
Web site rattles Gatelli
BY STACY BROWN
STAFF WRITER
Choking back tears and admitting she feels intimidated, Judy Gatelli said she is contemplating resigning from City Council because she and her family have become the targets of a relentless assault by the moderator of a Web site originally designed to try to unseat Mayor Chris Doherty.
“This isn’t right. It is harassment in the worst way,” the council president said Tuesday. “They have called me names, which I can take, but when you start with my kids, that’s a whole different thing. I have been considering quitting because with family involved, you have to wonder if it is all worth it.”
Earlier this year, Mrs. Gatelli asked that a police officer be posted at all City Council meetings because, she said, “I feel threatened and I’m afraid.”
The controversial Web site was created last year by Scranton resident Joseph Pilchesky, who did not want to see Mr. Doherty re-elected. However, it quickly turned into a chat room of posters who have used it as a tool to unleash criticism and personal attacks against certain public officials.
A year ago, the Web site was taken offline by the Canadian company that hosted it when Sara Hailstone, executive director of the Office of Economic and Community Development, complained that references made about her constituted threats. After changing providers to a company in Great Britain, the site is back on line.
Mr. Pilchesky last year invited posters to provide information about Ms. Hailstone and her family and last month made the identical invitation to posters about Mrs. Gatelli.
“It is not a free speech issue,” Ms. Hailstone said this week, echoing her comments from a year ago. “This is about me and my family’s safety.”
Mr. Pilchesky, who said his Web site gets thousands of hits per day, denied any of the postings are threatening or illegal.
“I’m uncomfortable with trusting Judy Gatelli,” Mr. Pilchesky said. “I don’t like the way she is handling the mayor. If Judy is feeling threatened, I don’t see what for. I make it clear that I don’t like Mrs. Gatelli because she is corrupt.”
As of Tuesday, the Web site had 226 separate threads regarding Mrs. Gatelli, most of them referring to the selection process council is using to choose a replacement for Robert McTiernan, who resigned two weeks ago.
“This appointment means a lot and many people don’t want to see that seat go to another ‘Yes’ person and that’s why we’re irritated,” Mr. Pilchesky said.
However, Mrs. Gatelli said she hasn’t made up her mind about a replacement and hasn’t discussed possibilities with anyone.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.
Scranton police confirmed Tuesday the Web site had come to their attention and that they have begun looking into whether remarks on it are unlawful threats or harassment.
“This is a terrible situation,” councilwoman Sherry Nealon Fanucci said. “This Web site is about intimidation and bullying. I’ve been worried about Mrs. Gatelli.”
While Ms. Fanucci was quick to come to Mrs. Gatelli’s defense, the remaining council members were guarded in their response to the situation.
“I’m shocked that Mrs. Gatelli would consider quitting because I think it is free speech,” Bill Courtright said. “I don’t think people should attack her family.”
Janet Evans, who has enjoyed the support of posters on the Web site, said she simply doesn’t have time to involve herself in those activities.
“I have too much work to do because there is the budget and the selection of a new council person that needs to be done,” Mrs. Evans said. “I would hope Mrs. Gatelli didn’t quit, however.”
Mrs. Gatelli said she may address the issue at Thursday’s meeting.
Contact the writer: sbrown@timesshamrock.com
yipes
Web site rattles Gatelli
BY STACY BROWN
STAFF WRITER
Choking back tears and admitting she feels intimidated, Judy Gatelli said she is contemplating resigning from City Council because she and her family have become the targets of a relentless assault by the moderator of a Web site originally designed to try to unseat Mayor Chris Doherty.
“This isn’t right. It is harassment in the worst way,” the council president said Tuesday. “They have called me names, which I can take, but when you start with my kids, that’s a whole different thing. I have been considering quitting because with family involved, you have to wonder if it is all worth it.”
Earlier this year, Mrs. Gatelli asked that a police officer be posted at all City Council meetings because, she said, “I feel threatened and I’m afraid.”
The controversial Web site was created last year by Scranton resident Joseph Pilchesky, who did not want to see Mr. Doherty re-elected. However, it quickly turned into a chat room of posters who have used it as a tool to unleash criticism and personal attacks against certain public officials.
A year ago, the Web site was taken offline by the Canadian company that hosted it when Sara Hailstone, executive director of the Office of Economic and Community Development, complained that references made about her constituted threats. After changing providers to a company in Great Britain, the site is back on line.
Mr. Pilchesky last year invited posters to provide information about Ms. Hailstone and her family and last month made the identical invitation to posters about Mrs. Gatelli.
“It is not a free speech issue,” Ms. Hailstone said this week, echoing her comments from a year ago. “This is about me and my family’s safety.”
Mr. Pilchesky, who said his Web site gets thousands of hits per day, denied any of the postings are threatening or illegal.
“I’m uncomfortable with trusting Judy Gatelli,” Mr. Pilchesky said. “I don’t like the way she is handling the mayor. If Judy is feeling threatened, I don’t see what for. I make it clear that I don’t like Mrs. Gatelli because she is corrupt.”
As of Tuesday, the Web site had 226 separate threads regarding Mrs. Gatelli, most of them referring to the selection process council is using to choose a replacement for Robert McTiernan, who resigned two weeks ago.
“This appointment means a lot and many people don’t want to see that seat go to another ‘Yes’ person and that’s why we’re irritated,” Mr. Pilchesky said.
However, Mrs. Gatelli said she hasn’t made up her mind about a replacement and hasn’t discussed possibilities with anyone.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.
Scranton police confirmed Tuesday the Web site had come to their attention and that they have begun looking into whether remarks on it are unlawful threats or harassment.
“This is a terrible situation,” councilwoman Sherry Nealon Fanucci said. “This Web site is about intimidation and bullying. I’ve been worried about Mrs. Gatelli.”
While Ms. Fanucci was quick to come to Mrs. Gatelli’s defense, the remaining council members were guarded in their response to the situation.
“I’m shocked that Mrs. Gatelli would consider quitting because I think it is free speech,” Bill Courtright said. “I don’t think people should attack her family.”
Janet Evans, who has enjoyed the support of posters on the Web site, said she simply doesn’t have time to involve herself in those activities.
“I have too much work to do because there is the budget and the selection of a new council person that needs to be done,” Mrs. Evans said. “I would hope Mrs. Gatelli didn’t quit, however.”
Mrs. Gatelli said she may address the issue at Thursday’s meeting.
Contact the writer: sbrown@timesshamrock.com
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