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Council Minutes of 1/21/2003 ~~. lawful manner, I strongly encourage you to be careful in expressing opinion as statements of fact which are likely to mislead the public and cause damage to the City of North Olmsted and/or its public officials. In addition any statements you make in a public setting regarding Mayor Musial's personal life, which are either false or in reckless disregard to its tnrth may be considered to be defamation of character and causing emotional distress to family members will not be tolerated. I also encourage you to convey this information to the appropriate individuals if you are not acting alone but in concert with a political action group. Very truly yours, Gary A. Ebert." He agrees with everything stated in the letter. What is his reaction to this letter? Why was it sent? What response or feeling on his part was anticipated after reading this letter? Some people suggest that it is an out-and-out act of legal intimidation. Others suggest that this letter is an attempt to get him and other members of the bi-partisan committee to stop the recall process. He does not know what to think of the reason for such a letter at this time. His concern is that the Mayor's office does not follow the same rules and decorum as outlined in this letter. In particular, he refers to paragraph three and use of the word "tolerated." Before this letter, he was upset about certain newspaper accounts and quotes attributed to the Mayor. After this letter, he feels compelled to address these quotes because he can no longer "tolerate" such inferences to him personally and the recall committee in general. In the January 9, 2003 issue of the Sun Herald, Mr. Musial said that the gathering of petition signatures is "vicious." He would like to know the Mayor's definition of "vicious?" Has he or any recall committee member ever been vicious towards Mr. Musial? The American Heritage College Dictionary, third edition, defines "vicious" as having the nature of vice, evil, immoral or depraved, spiteful, malicious, disposed to or characterized by violent of destructive behavior. A synonym would be "cruel." This sounds more like the manner in which the Service Director treats present and former employees. On a recent visit to City Hall, he witnessed an incident where the director addressed a city employee. It was indicative of a management style that does not get the most productivity from city employees. He has always and will corrtinue to plead passionately and professionally for Mr. Musial to resign. He has always and continues to insist that all recall personnel deal with the issues as outlined in the recall petition and not address personal life issues. As a former teacher, he always told his students that your reputation is the most important aspect to your life. It's difficult to establish a good reputation. It is easy to lose it, and it follows you the rest of your life. He has been wrongly accused of endorsing or favoring a particular person for the future mayor of the City of North Olmsted. He absolutely does not favor or show partiality to any person. He questioned Council members Kasler and Dailey and President O'Grady if he has ever before or recently campaigned for them. They each answered no. Councilman Gareau commented that he had not spoken publicly about the recall issue. However, he is bothered by the tone of the letter written to Mr. Stotz. It seems to be an attempt to intimidate somebody who is exercising his rights under the Charter. He believes the Mayor should explain what caused him to ask his lawyer to write the letter. 14