The real Eric Massa by Wayne Hunt

As we get closer to crunch time in the 2008 election campaign, we begin to get a clearer picture of the various candidates’ character. In particular, Eric Massa comes to mind.

Eric presents a televised spinetingling image of long and meritorious naval service to our country. It stirs the patriotic sense in all of us who love our country. It may even lead us to think we should vote for him in the up-coming Congressional election.

In reality, Eric is a shore-leave brawler. I know this because I have personally been subjected to his tactics. I serve on the town board in Cohocton.

Eric is opposed to wind power in Steuben County and the Finger Lakes. He has expounded upon this at great length on a two-hour talk show that he conducts on radio stationWKPQ @ 105.5 FM in Hornell. The show airs from 10 a.m. until noon on Sunday mornings.

On 10-21-07 Eric had a guest on his program who accused Cohocton town board members, and particularly the town supervisor, of accepting payments in return for support for our wind project.

Eric not only allowed his guest to make the accusation, he repeated it several times during that program. He, or anyone from his staff, never contacted anyone in our town to verify if this could be true.

You may also remember that he publicly criticized Congressman Kuhl for joining a Congressional delegation that went to Brazil to study alternate fuel production. A Democratic congressman headed the delegation. It turns out that Eric, or any of his staff, never contacted his own party delegation before he attacked the trip.

All this was brought to mind as I watched Eric confront Congressman Kuhl on Channel 13 news in a pre-planned attempt at a “media event” at the airport. The congressman did not wish to participate in a confrontation. Eric got right in the congressman’s face and refused to listen to him. Finally, the congressman had to step around Mr. Massa and declare that the confrontation was over.

You and I, as discerning voters, must decide whether we want to let a bull into our china shop. If it is possible, I am determined to prevent that.

Wayne R. Hunt
Cohocton

TheRealEricMassaHornellTribune.pdf