I feel compelled to answer the letter addressed to me from Rep. Donna Walsh that was printed in the Westerly Sun. I accept Walsh's explanation about missing the vote. No matter how strongly all of us feel about an issue of such monumental importance such as gambling in Charlestown, we're all human and don't wish any ill health on anyone. I do sincerely hope her husband Henry has had a full recovery.

Now that she mentions her husband Henry, who is the Democratic Town Committee Chairman and frequent public supporter of Jim Mageau, I would think she would understand my concern about that vote. After all, it was the Democratic Town Committee which penned a pro-gambling resolution for Charlestown in the 1990s and which the Narragansetts still tout today. Her association with her husband, her missed vote, her continued association with Mr. Mageau--who attempted to undermine the Town's representation to defend itself against Indian Gaming--were all contributing factors to my concern.

Walsh is still missing my point. I'm not asking her to control Mageau, I'm asking her to publicly come out and condemn his actions and behavior, something she refuses to do. I wanted her to attend the momentous Charlestown Town Council meeting --when Mageau tried to get Charlestown's Indian Gaming expert attorney Joe Larisa fired -- and stand up and tell Mageau this is a terrible idea. I wanted her to attend the packed Charlestown Town Council meeting recently--- in which Mageau tried to hire an expert to debunk the fact that nitrogens destroy the ponds-- and stand up and tell Mageau this is total nonsense and that she wants to protect the environment. And I want her to come out publicly, since she's a member of the Democratic Town Committee, and say that Mageau's idea of having political committees in town decide who the fifth member of the Charlestown Town Council is totally wrong and against open, Democratic government in Charlestown. I guess party loyalty and friendship are more important than her constituent loyalty.

Lastly, I find her letter addressed to me filled with angry, nasty words. I was quite shocked that she would call me absurd, that my brain is rattled and farcical. I would never stoop to that level when addressing her. I think she needs a lesson--it's called respecting constituents who disagree with her.

Kallie Jurgens