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North Adams Councilor Denies Using Offensive WordBy Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
11:44PM / Wednesday, February 15, 2012
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Allegations that a city councilor used an inappropriate word at Tuesday's meeting may never be fully answered.
A number of commenters claim that they could hear someone use the term "retard" during the last moments of Tuesday's very long meeting. One of our anonymous commenters fingered Councilor Lisa Blackmer as the culprit.
Blackmer says it wasn't her. "I did not say that. I do not use that word. I have reprimanded family and employees for the inappropriate usage of this phrase," she told us.
The comment was apparently made at some point at open forum between Robert Cardimino leaving the microphone and a gentleman from Brayton Hill approaching it.
"When the final open Forum speaker was walking to the mic she was overheard saying "Retard" in reference to him," claims the commenter who first raised the issue.
From that comment, we are assuming that the camera was not on any of the councilors and only a voice could be heard. The councilors' microphones are always on but can be muted temporarily by holding a button; we've never seen any of the nine councilors do that.
Blackmer said she doesn't know the man and wouldn't have a reason to call him by any name.
"I do not know this gentleman nor do I have any history with him," she said. "I would hope that this puts an end to the allegations so that we can all continue to focus on the important issues the Council is addressing."
It's hard to check who said it — or if anyone actually said anything — because there's no official recording.
The equipment used to burn DVDs for City Hall meetings is on the fritz, we've been told by NBCTV. The DVR was being troublesome at the last meeting and on Tuesday, it cut out shortly before the solar array presentation was completed around 7:30.
So, there's a back up, right? Nope. Apparently the backup at the studio was set to the wrong play standard and also only recorded the first hour.
Is it equal to Rosemary Woods? We think not. Equipment fails — our video camera cut out and our recorder died at the same meeting. (Maybe it's the room?)
We've queried the other councilors; so far no one who has contacted us heard anything. For the record, we heard nothing. But if anyone has a recording of that part of the meeting we'd like to hear it.
Update at 10:44 a.m., Feb. 16:
Councilor Jennifer Breen Kirsch said she recorded the meeting at home and could hear the comment on the recording but did not hear anything at the meeting. In a statement this morning, she said:
"I confirmed that I did indeed hear the comment made by Councilor Blackmer. This morning, I was reading
iBerkshires and was disappointed that Councilor Blackmer failed to admit and apologize for the comment.
It is not our goal to offend our constituents, but if we do, I think it is in our best interest to shine a light on our mistakes, and to move on in the spirit of unity. I hope Councilor Blackmer can issue an apology and this matter can be set to rest, so that we ALL can continue to work together for the good of our city."
No other councilors so far say they heard anything. We have asked Councilor Breen Kirsch if she can send us a recording.
Update at 2:03 p.m., Feb. 16:
We have spoken to Councilor Marie Harpin who sits right next to Councilor Blackmer. She states unequivocally that she did not hear Blackmer say anything and did not hear the word "retard" at any time. "I did not hear Lisa say anything," said Harpin. She did say she could hear Breen Kirsch and Councilor John Barrett III talking about Valentine's Day on other side of her.
We have asked every councilor if they heard such a comment at the meeting; every single one said no.
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Tags: bad words, city council,
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