WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. JUNE 9, 2005: A reader comments on the recent report regarding the selection of a new Executive Director of the White Plains Cable television stations:

John, please explain why this had to be added to your story about Gary Stukes?

"The decision comes one week before White Plains celebrates the freeing of the slaves in 1865, with the first ever African-American Juneteenth parade"

C'mon John, are we really that shallow? Do you think he was turned down for the job because he is an African-American? Or maybe you think he should have got the job because he IS African-American.  I personally know Gary and he is a nice man, but you are taking this way over the line.

Anonymous. 

The CitizeNetReporter replies:

Dear WPCNR Reader:

Thank you for your comment. This is why I wrote that line:

If Mr. Stukes' longtime experience and familiarity with the White Plains Public Access market did not warrant an opportunity to see if he could run the television operation, when his predecessor recommended him for the job, the Cable Television Commission should explain why they hired this person from out of the community, from a smaller, reportedly technically inferior operation,  instead of Mr. Stukes. The candidate may be very qualified and bring an extra dimension to the job that Mr. Stukes could not, in their opinion. But the Cable Commission has not told us what. 

The Cable Television Commission has not explained in any way what the new Executive Director-select's qualifications are or reasons for hiring him. This is a disservice to the new Executive Director.

(Not even a press release has been issued, though city hall personnel apparently have plenty of time to devote to announcing political press conferences for Republican candidates and setting up Mayor Delfino's political appearances.)

 If the Cable Commission deemed him a better fit than Mr. Stukes, it is an insult to him to not issue a statement as to what the new Executive Director brings to the table that they like.

When the Commissioner of Recreation & Parks retired, the Deputy Commissioner of Recreation & Parks was automatically promoted to the position. No nationwide search was conducted.

When the Commissioner of Planning retired, his Deputy Commissioner was automatically promoted to the position. No nationwide search was conducted. 

When the former Executive Director of White Plains Cable retired, leaving behind a man known throughout the community with working relationships with all producers, a nationwide search is conducted and the man recommended by the Executive Director is not given the position. Yet, a man from out of the area is, (without Mr. Stukes knowledge of the community).

You figure it out. I cannot. It does not make sense from a management point of view. 

At the very least, Mr. Stukes should have been given a chance if they could not find or afford other candidates. Stukes has spent the better part of his working career at that station. Put yourself in his shoes. How do you think he feels? 

I hope an increase in pay if Mr. Stukes is receiving one, will ease the pain when he will have to live with the man who has the job he wanted.

Little murders of the soul are perpetrated every day in this city by persons who know better and think it is O.K., and dismiss it as just politics. It's not O.K.  in this reporters book.  

Why would you not give Mr. Stukes a chance? Would you? 

I wrote that line about Juneteenth because The Stukes Stiffing juxtaposes reality of truth against preconceived politically correct conceptions.

What the "Stukes Stiffing"   and "The Playing of Ron Jackson" this week shows that if you are an African-American, an Hispanic, a Muslim, a Jamaican, even a well-meaning White, you have to endure the fact that loyalty and performance count for nothing if City Hall or the Powers that control your destiny have something else in mind.

Ralph Ellison, one of the great African-American writers wrote a book about this syndrome, it was called Invisible Man. Even if you play it well and loyally, they do not see you.

 They will dismiss you because you are African-American or Hispanic, or really no matter what racial persuasion you may be, (though if you are white, you have a better shot), because you do not count, in their opinion. You have no real power.  You do not vote. You are easy to screw. You still have a long way to go. That is why I wrote that line you complain about.

What the Cable Commission did to Mr. Stukes stuck in my craw.

But I do not have to live with this injustice. He does.

Thanks for reading and sharing your concern.

John Bailey Executive Editor White Plains CitizeNetReporter