“What do you expect? You are a pretty, young girl.”

by Louie b. Free | 349 entries

Published: Sat. October 5, 2013 at 10:52p.m.

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As I write this, we are all aware that Lyndsey Hughes has accused DeMaine Kitchen of sexual harassment. Those of you who were listening to Friday's BrainFood from the Heartland heardhttp://www.vindy.com/news/2013/oct/05/investigator-selected-for-kitchen-case/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Y-town City Law Director, Atty. Anthony Farris announce the city's hiring of Steve Sample as investigator into this matter.

In addition to the awfulness of the allegation , is the (I'm supposed to say..) 'alleged' reaction and mishandling of the matter by then, city council president, now mayor, Sammarone .
http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/oct/02/city-employee-accuses-kitchen-of-sex-har/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">"...when she went to Sammarone about Kitchen’s alleged behavior, Sammarone responded: “What do you expect? You are a pretty, young girl.”

Much praise has been heaped upon Mayor Sammarone for his direct style, but this seems to be only part of that style's 'ugly, underbelly'.

Not only does the city have a sexual harassment policy to be followed ,

http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/oct/05/investigator-selected-for-kitchen-case/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">("This is the first time the city is hiring a non-city employee to investigate sexual harassment complaints since council adopted a policy on the matter in 1999") ,

but there are some issues of what is called "common decency" by people from Mayor Sammarone's generation..and mine! There also SHOULD be a respectful and protective way that mature men should behave ESPECIALLY with younger women.

I recall an in-studio interview with Mayor Sammarone, early this year, when he said " kindness is weakness..." I asked if he misspoke . The statement as I know it is: 'Kindness is Strength'! He told me that his statement was correct,in his opinion, and "kindness is strength" is something his wife would say.

The investigation aside, the first question Mayor Sammarone needs to answer BEFORE the election:
Why did he, NOT follow the city's sexual harassment policy.

I don't know if Chuck Sammarone has a daughter or granddaughter, but, what would his reaction be if these words were spoken to his offspring: “What do you expect? You are a pretty, young girl.”

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