I am deeply saddened over the inhumane behavior of some Woodstock residents, town employees and elected officials. To each one of you I ask, “Have you ever done anything you are ashamed of?”
If the curtain separating your public and personal life were pulled aside, would you want people to shine a light on the darkest corners of your existence where even you are afraid to reside? Would you want those moments revealed, exaggerated, lied about, then lambasted publicly?
What if you were punished by law for those moments, serving years in prison? What if you were punished every moment of every day thereafter? After you served your prison sentence? How would you feel? Is lifelong regret and shame, in addition to the completed prison sentence, not enough?
We live in a society that has vehemently fought against stereotypes, ensuring people are seen as individuals. Yet in the Town of Woodstock one of the most negative stereotypes is being purported, spreading prejudice, inaccurate judgements and outright lies. That stereotype is sex offender.
Not all sex offenders are pedophiles and not all sex offenders rape. The person the town hired is not a pedophile. He did not drug anyone. Furthermore, he never raped anyone. His presence in the town does not jeopardize anyone’s safety. If we as a society move backwards, believing stereotypes as truth and fact, then we are no better than the communities that allowed witch hunts and trials based on fear and hearsay. Those in positions of power help set the tone of a community, and in Woodstock, some of those in power are leading this present-day hunt and trial of fear, exclusivity, and hate instead of inclusiveness, love and acceptance. They never spoke to him in person. They never reached out to him in any capacity. They chose and continue to choose to use social media platforms, and the press rather than being humane with discernment and compassion. I thought better of some of you. I was wrong.
Judges ultimately decide whether a person is a Level One, Two or Three sex offender at a level hearing. They are, however, given recommendations by the Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders (in New York State). Judges are people, like everyone else. They are fallible, make mistakes, have bad days. Sometimes they stop seeing people as individuals and/or aren’t aware of the long-term impact they are having on a person’s life, for good or for ill. Sometimes politics plays a role in decision-making.
While still incarcerated, Michael’s lawyer (a public defender) advised him not to go to his level hearing because everyone had already agreed upon him being a level two, and everything else was just a formality. Michael listened to his lawyer and did not attend. He was actually relieved not to go, not because of the hearing itself, but because it would have entailed him being transported to another prison closer to home and that would require being cuffed at the ankles and wrists, which are connected to a waist belt and other inmates. Additionally, reestablishing oneself in a new prison brings a great potential for mistreatment and assault. Michael’s attorney went to his level hearing, and the judge made him a three. Upon release, Michael learned in group therapy sessions (from others who had been incarcerated) that judges often make someone a three if they don’t go to the level hearing. So much for legal advice.
Let me share with you a little about me. I earned a bachelor’s of arts in Women, Gender, and Sexuality in 2020. Trauma, abuse, and disproportionate distributions of power are part of that field of study. As are Feminist Methods, which is an innovative approach to critical thinking through self-analysis (seeing what biases we bring to a situation) so we can work towards embodying a truly objective way of critically thinking. It was life altering, refreshing and empowering.
And as a result of my own experiences in life, as well as my field of study, I take trauma, abuse and unequal distributions of power very seriously. I myself have childhood trauma and am a survivor of abuse. My wounds are the very reason I chose the degree I did. The entire program was an integral piece of my healing journey. I know, through my own experiences, that people who are hurting end up hurting other people and people who are healed/healing help heal other people. Unfortunately, many people choose not to heal, never being self-reflective. Never questioning why they behave the way they do. Not taking ownership of their behavior or feeling remorse for things they have done.
This is not the case with Michael. He made a mistake. A mistake he fully acknowledges, profoundly regrets and paid for with a prison sentence. He served that sentence. He constantly worked on himself while incarcerated, never committing any prison infractions including the most frequent which is denying a direct order. As a result of his good standing, he was placed in an honor dorm and was assigned to a leadership role in one of his programs. He also volunteered at the general library working his way up to head clerk. Upon his release, he successfully completed two parole required programs, is presently in two others, and is in multiple therapies by choice. He completed a class at Vassar College this past May, receiving college credits. Clearly, he continues to reflect, heal and grow.
Within all of this, he is immensely sorry for what he did. He wants to work, and be a productive member of society. Why would you, (some town residents, some town employees, and some elected officials) work tirelessly to prevent a person who made a mistake, paid for it, and is actively working on themselves from living their life? Who are you as as people? Who have you become? Were you always like this?
Registered sex offenders are not the only ones dealing with stereotypes. In the Seventies, a reprehensible group called NAMbLA (North American Man boy Love Association) was formed. Because the group was comprised of gay men, they thought they had a secure place within the gay community, even though their goal was to normalize pedophilia and pederasty through activism. The group had haters, as well as some supporters. Certainly, most people in the LGBTQIA+ community were ardently opposed to NAMbLA without question. And no one in the LGBTQIA+ community (who wasn’t in support of NAMbLA) should be judged as if they were. That would be a gross injustice. Yet, there are still some people who believe that gay men equate to pedophilia. This perfectly illustrates how damaging a stereotype can be. Obviously most gay men are not pedophiles, and obviously not so obvious: not all people labeled sex offenders are vile, repulsive pedophiles. Nor are they all rapists.
I am the twelfth generation (on my father’s side) to reside in the Hudson Valley. My ancestors fished the Hudson, and farmed the land. Great believers in civic duty, my uncle served as town supervisor of Rosendale, and my dad was town historian for many years and served on the town board in Esopus. I was on the ZBA and planning board of the town I live in, and was on the 2018 comprehensive plan committee. I am no stranger to community, or what it means to live, work, and volunteer in one.
I welcome Michael into my community, and into my home. I proudly walk next to him wherever we go. I am honored to know him and fortunate to spend time with him. He is compassionate, considerate, thoughtful, and reflective. He cares about people, going out of his way to lend a helping hand. Unlike many people I know, Michael has demonstrated his capacity and willingness to do the deep inner work necessary to heal and grow as a human being. Michael has embraced a second chance to be the very best person and man he can be. Those are his intentions.
I have known him far longer than any of the people I know in Woodstock. Sitting opposite him for six hours at a time in the barren prison visiting room without any distractions of the world, it is a place where you are raw and real, and vulnerable. Therefore, while the aforementioned are only seeing a label, and spreading lies based on that label, I see the person, and I would rather live in a community of a thousand Michaels than live with fearmongers.
I have met some of the most beautiful people in Woodstock. People who have taught me what deep friendship and loyalty look like. People who have the strongest character, who stand up for what is right in the face of harshest adversity. Profound heartfelt thank-yous to Bill McKenna; Hilary Sanders McKenna; Brianna Schmidt; Jackie Earley; Lynn Sehwerert; Maralyn Master, and many others not named. I am deeply humbled and honored to call you all friends. Woodstock will be hard pressed to find another leader like Bill McKenna. He is a brave warrior and shining star.
I feel like George Bailey and you all are my Bedford Falls.
I wrote this piece because I have worked hard my entire life to find and cultivate my voice. This is me using it.
As a faith-based person, I leave you with two fundamental aspects of the Judeo-Christian faith. The first exists in various forms in cultures throughout the world: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The second is: Ye who is without sin, cast the first stone.
Who of us is without sin?
Looking forward.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Hudson Valley One.
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