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Mayor Brian Marl's Coffee Hour with State Rep. Morgan Foreman got a little loud Friday morning, resulting in local resident Sal Randazzo being asked to leave a lengthy statement on Foreman's Facebook page.
Randazzo, never one to hide his opinions, attended the meeting to talk about what he calls the "deer problem" in Saline. Randazzo said he was listening to an answer Foreman gave on another subject when he asked her why she didn't go to a township meeting to hear residents' concerns. Randazzo said Foreman jumped up, "played the race card," and became loud with him.
"I couldn't believe it. We were in Saline. We were all polite, safe and having a good discussion, and she played the race card," Randazzo said.
Randazzo said he responded by matching her loudness as he "played the Sicilian card." Randazzo talked about an ugly incident from 1891, when 11 Italian immigrants were killed in what is regarded as the largest single mass lynching in the history of the country.
"Look, racism can make life tougher, but why not go to the meeting, introduce yourself and say, I'm you're representative," Randazzo said. "I'll tell you why. It's because she doesn't need the conservatives to get elected."
In her comment, Foreman said people are entitled to disagree with her, but not to yell at her.
"Let me be clear: you are absolutely entitled to disagree with me. You can believe I should be doing more. You can be frustrated about the data center. You can question me, challenge me, and hold me accountable for the responsibilities and authority I actually have as your State Representative. What you cannot do is yell at me, disrespect me, or become aggressive because I cannot produce an outcome that is outside of my authority," Foreman wrote. "You will never get anything from me by yelling at me or attempting to intimidate me. I will defend myself. I will stand my ground. I will not be intimidated."
Karen Carrigan was working when the voices began getting louder. She wasn't sure what was going on. Randazzo was asked to leave, and he did so peacefully.
"He raised his voice a bit too much. Dude, you're being too loud, and we're inside," Carrigan said.
Mayor Marl said Foreman handled the situation well.
"I thought she defended her position well," Marl said.
Marl said it had been a productive conversation until the final five minutes.
"Over the last 14 years, I've generally been on the receiving end of consternation or frustration, though maybe not to this level," Marl said.
More News from Saline
- Marl Captures Democratic Endorsement from Washtenaw Party Brian Marl has captured the endorsement of the Washtenaw Democratic Party.
- Swatting Blamed for Call that Caused Tense Moments at Six Trails Apartments Swatting is being blamed for tense moments at 6 Trails Apartments tonight.
