To the Editor:

I will assume for the time being that the Watertown Daily Times quote by a Potsdam businessman in the Dec. 5, 2015 article about the demonstrations in Potsdam is accurate. If not the Times owes him an apology.

If it is true, the gentleman owes the people of the “outlying area” an apology. It appears from this quote that he believes no one in the Potsdam community could possibly be prejudice or bigoted and that it is a problem with the outlying residents.

I deeply resent that stereotyping. It is the perfect example of bigotry and arrogance. It is why you have problems. I happen to live in an outlying community.

I would remind the people of the community of Potsdam that to date the entire hatred situation has taken place within the Village of Potsdam. The arrest made in the first hate mail incident was from within the SUNY community, not from any outlying area.

Hopefully the gentleman arrested is innocent until proven guilty (at least in the outlying communities it would be that way).

If he is proven guilty I would hope for a maximum sentence to send a clear message. As a Polish American I have been the brunt of every “dumb Polish” joke known to mankind. I know the feeling of prejudice, hatred, and bigotry very well. At 72 years of age I can usually tell when a person is kidding or actually a bigot.

Is this businessman suggesting that the marches are taking place in the wrong community? If so, have him bring all the kids down to Norwood, we are one of those “outlying communities” with a history of equality (even I have been able to survive here) and sense of American pride. And, we love a good parade.

Bruce L. Konkoski

Norwood