Letters to the Editor

Police presence increased tensions

I attended the rally at Troy City Hall on Aug. 16 generated by the unexplained Troy police shooting of Dahmeek McDonald the day before.

Though the rally was peaceful, the police posture expressed a defensive, siege mentality. A number of uniformed police were positioned on each side of the stairway leading to the City Hall entrance. At least one was holding a riot shield, and one was filming the crowd. The police tone was clearly one of intimidation and perception of the peaceful crowd as the enemy.

When I asked the officer filming the crowd what his purpose was, his “answer” was that because people at the rally were photographing the police, the police had the right to film the crowd.

The unexplained police shooting, and subsequent horrific treatment of the wounded Mr. McDonald, aroused the justifiable anger and fear of the Troy community. By guarding City Hall and filming the rally, the police exacerbated the feeling that they were the enemy of the community, not its protector. In such a dangerous situation, the police force should be trained to defuse tensions, rather than inflame them. At the very least, officers should be aware that they have a responsibility that requires more of them than responding in kind to actions of individuals in the crowd.

— Kathy Lynne Sanderson

Athens, Ga.

Abbott Wiley was a special someone

Abbott Wiley of Pittstown was buried this week, and America lost another one of its “greatest generation.” Abb was not just another member of that group of individuals who are fast fading away from our community and society, he was someone special.

I first met Abb when I became Rensselaer County Attorney in 1971. Abb, a former Supervisor and lifetime resident of the town of Pittstown, had a leadership role in the new County Legislature. During the many years in which we were both involved the in the County’s government, we became friends, and I learned much about his personal, business, and governmental philosophy.

Although he held powerful and leadership positions in the County Legislature, he never sought any benefit for himself, his business, or his friends. He was only interested in doing the best he could do for the residents of Rensselaer County. His demeanor was always even, and he never expressed any rancor towards other officials with opinions that were very divergent from his own. His remarks were usually spiked with a bit of humor.

During several years when I was building homes for my family in Pittstown and Brunswick, I consulted with Abb at his store in Schaghtioke. He offered great advice regarding building materials (even if his business was not a supplier) and contractors to use. He went far beyond what is available in “big box” stores.

Abb started his life on the family dairy farm, but World War II made this young farm boy into a brave combat army officer. For those who never knew Abb, and even for those who did have the good fortune to know him, I suggest that they read his life’s story given in his own words, available on the Internet at dmna. ny.gov.

Letters should be e- mailed to letters@troyrecord.com. Letters should be around 400 words in length and need to include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification purposes.