August 8, 2005

Mayor Frederick Kalisz
Office of the Mayor
133 Williams Street
New Bedford, MA 02740

Your Honor:

I write to express my deep disappointment in the way that those representing you, and presumably with your blessing, are waging your campaign for re-election.

For the past several months your former City Solicitor-turned-real estate developer George Leontire has been attacking my personal integrity and spreading misinformation about my record in business and in higher education. In your name, he has sought to intimidate good people who have chosen of their own free will to support my candidacy. For too long, this has been the stuff of New Bedford politics and I urge you to demonstrate true leadership by putting a stop to it. I urge you to publicly reprimand Mr. Leontire for his atrocious behavior and once-and-for-all disassociate yourself and your campaign from him – today.

On Sunday, in the middle of our city’s wonderful celebration of Portuguese heritage, Mr. Leontire went beyond the pale again when he walked over to me, and in front of witnesses, uttered a threat to “F**** kill me,’’ adding that “I’m going to destroy you…when we are done with you, you will have no future.” Now, I fully understand that politics is not for the weak of heart, however, such raw anger demonstrates an unacceptable thirst for power and has no place in the important dialogue we need to have about the future of New Bedford.

I told Mr. Leontire directly that I will not be intimidated by his threatening and litigious tactics. In fact, the basis of democratic process is to encourage public debate about the critical issues that affect our city, our state and our nation. A public discourse about a crippling dropout rate, a low college attainment rate, increasing fear on our streets, the loss of good jobs and an increasing tax burden are important issues that require thoughtful dialogue.

I have been fortunate to have been engaged in highly charged political campaigns and to have worked with many outstanding public servants over the years. I have been in the thick of highly stressful competitions in the private sector. Yet, I have never witnessed the sort of frenzied, wild-eyed behavior I saw displayed by Mr. Leontire on Sunday.

The juxtaposition was telling. Thousands had gathered on a sunny Sunday for a community event designed to unite people. Yet, one individual (Mr. Leontire), representing you, felt his time that day would be best spent uttering the kind of threats that divide communities and seek to suppress civic involvement. I believe the citizens of New Bedford deserve better.

I would like to believe, Mr. Mayor, that you do not endorse Mr. Leontire’s behavior, however, in the absence of a timely and public reprimand, I must conclude that you do support his outrageous actions.

It is our campaign’s full intention to stand up on the critical issues and not be intimidated by someone who has threatened to kill me and destroy my future. In fact, I find myself even more driven to bring a new generation of leadership to City Hall, the kind of leadership that encourages more participation in our democratic processes, and respects all people, even those who may disagree with whoever is mayor.

Mr. Mayor, we CAN do better.

Sincerely,



Matt Morrissey