Smarmy apologist for Tony

Dear Anonymous Letter Writer:

If you’re determined to hide your identity, you might consider changing your handwriting, which has always been distinctive, and stop using yellow-lined writing paper, which has long been your trademark. Then again, you might have wanted this writer to know who you are so you could rush over to Anthony M. Cafaro Sr. and say, “I sent de Souza a letter anonymously defending you, and he’ll know who I am because I’ve written to him before. See Tony, your wish is my command.”

But even without a name attached to it, the letter is worthy of public review because it not only shows the smarminess of the writer when it comes to defending Cafaro, who is described in court documents as the mastermind of the Oakhill Renaissance Place criminal conspiracy, but reflects the mindset of many Mahoning Valley residents when it comes to government corruption.

Here’s the complete text of the letter:

“To: B. de Souza

“From: A Concerned Mahoning County Citizen

“Subj: Repetative (sic)Subject Written By You & The Skolnik (sic) Boy.

“It seems you boys don’t have anything to write about but the Oakhill Renaissance Place, better known to us older people as the “South Side Hospital.” Half the time its (sic) the same thing over & over and most of it are just your comments which aren’t correct or true.

LYING WAS CONSIDERED

“Initially DeWine Kid & his cronies wanted McNally, Sciortino & Yavorcik to lie about Cafaro so he could be indicted. They refused, so they were told they would be in court facing (stupid) charges. How can these kids think they are going to charge Cafaro? He and his family donate millions of dollars to both the Republicans & Democrats running for office. This starts at the top (Washington) and down thru states, citys, countys (sic) & townships. You think these people want to lose big money by charging Cafaro with some stupid Oakhill conspiracy? Think again.

“The Oakhill purchase wasn’t stopped, so why is there a conspiracy charge that never happened. And why isn’t there as much publicity about the cost (still growing) to fix & redo “Oakhill Renaissance Place” which stands now over $20 million and won’t stop for quite a while. Maybe these boys who were charged with trying to stop the sale of this old hospital building were doing the right thing by saving the citizens a hell of a lot of money.

“Why don’t you mention that the judge who has this case in Cleveland wants to know why she has to oversee the case that supposedly happened in Youngstown and Cleveland. Also, why do you think there are so many extensions on this case – because the prosecutors can’t find proof about the charges they brought against McNally, Sciortino & Yavorcik. Let alone Cafaro.

TOO MUCH B.S.

“Hence the reason Belinky & Gerberry and all others are being questioned about Oakhill. If this type of B.S. keeps up these prosecuting attorneys won’t have a leg to stand on. And once again another dismissal.

“So I suggest get your information straight before you write anything, or at least start printing column’s (sic) about something new that Mahoning County residents would like to read. Not the same old “B.S.”

“A Concerned Resident of Mahoning County

“P.S. And if there is a dismissal and charges dropped again, I hope your & the Skolnik (sic) boy apologize to McNally, Sciortino, & Yavorcik as many times as you have printed about them pertaining to this matter.”

WRITER SEEKS ACCEPTANCE

Such subservience can only come from an individual who is so eager to be accepted by the Cafaro clan that he is willing to let his ancestors roll in their graves. These ancestors were pillars of the community and were recognized for their business successes and their philanthropy.

Here’s a piece of friendly advice to the anonymous letter writer (if you are who I think you are):

If you’re going to be such an ---kisser, at least have the self-respect not to sit at Big Tony’s feet when he’s holding court. It’s bad enough that you drive the golf cart for one member of the Cafaro clan when he’s on the links.