Reader takes issue with recent letters to editor

It is with much interest that I have read the various letters to the editor over the past month. I am stunned at the use of blatant mistruths by many of these letter writers. Lies are not what our founding fathers meant by freedom of speech.

Cathy Ericksen misrepresented so much in letters printed in several local newspapers that need to be refuted:

1. While the Democratic Club did help with the petition drive, they and the SOS group are not one and the same.

2. Since the office of president of the Brick Democratic Club won't be vacant for another 1.5 years, it is ludicrous to think Mr. Lamb is interested in becoming its president.

3. Mr. Langer is not the former head of the Democratic Club. He is the current president and has been for over 10 years.

4. Partisan politics did not deprive the people of Brick of a community center. The citizens of Brick, registered voters of each party, asked through the petition process to let the people decide by referendum, by definition, a democracy. No one asked signers to "kill the community center."

Sharon Campos discussed "the quest for revenge" and "achieved your goal by stopping the purchase of the Ocean Ice Palace" in her letter. The SOS group did not stop the purchase. The petition asked for a vote whether to buy - not to stop the purchase. Revenge for what? Losing an election? Both parties win and lose. Again, that is called the two-party system of government, also known as democracy.

While these mistruths may seem minor, I believe it demonstrates how far some people will go to discredit the views of others. Ms. Ericksen and Ms. Campos, perhaps if you stick to facts, readers may read your views with a less jaded eye. Remember the story of the boy who cried wolf.

Lonna Doyle

Brick