Sent to Community View from Anthony Mele’s MotherI am outraged at the latest smears sent out by Supervisor St. Lawrence, slandering my son Anthony Mele. I was not going to dignify it by responding to such garbage, but let me set the record straight. As the parent of two sons, who I am extremely proud of, my eldest a Gold Shield, 1st Grade retired NYC Detective and the youngest, Anthony, who is the Preserve Ramapo and Republican Candidate for Ramapo Town Supervisor. For a "seasoned" politician like Supervisor St. Lawrence to stoop so low, as to smear his opponent gives us all a glimpse into his mind-set and leaves a great deal to be desired. (Is this an act of political desperation?). If he has done such an excellent job as Town Supervisor, why resort to such dirty personal attacks against his opponent. Obviously he has nothing else to offer us; but as a parent, he is attacking me, and for that I will not keep quiet. Here is what I know: As a teen, Anthony was a counselor working with young people in the Neighborhood Youth Corps (Each one, Teach one Program) in the South Bronx and East Harlem; prior to that he was involved with a Catholic church program in the heart of the S. Bronx called; Casita Maria, is this a gang? As for his formative political experience, as a High School student he clerked for the Bronx Borough president, the honorable Robert Abrams, he also worked for Councilman Barry Salman, 11th Congressional District, who later became a Judge; they were his political mentors. While most kids from the neighborhood were struggling with drug addiction; Anthony earned medals for projects he presented in Drug Awareness from his Junior High School. His adult perspectives on city living and knowledge of street gangs drawn from his life experience, served him well enough, since he was recognized by Congressman Ben Gilman and General Barry McCaffery, the President's Drug Czar, as well as the Rockland Journal News, for leadership seminars he designed to help our youth avoid these pitfalls. Anthony overcame all the challenges facing our youth back then and developed a keen understanding of what faces them today. Throughout his career he has also been involved in numerous community organizations, was decorated for heroism by the US Army, and now presents himself to his community for public service. His credentials speak for themselves. I wish this letter to be published. Unlike Mr. St. Lawrence, I will not hide behind anonymous bulk mailing he used to deliver his libelous material. No one is fooled by how this filth is delivered and timed so that my son does not have time to respond. Let’s hope that the decent people of the Town of Ramapo respond for him on Tuesday, Nov. 6th. Hope Lopez-Beauchamp
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