Letters

I have been a volunteer at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center for more than eight years. I am writing today because I am a Democrat who, in 2023, had an inside seat to John Leonard serving as president of the center’s board. It was a disaster. He ultimately resigned right before the board was about to vote him off. One of their primary charges against him was his bullying of the board and others. The center was also in a financial mess.

First, he pushed out Ginnie Frati, the founder of the center, who at the time was the only one who held the state and federal permits for the center, was connected to the center’s donors, and knew how to run the place. Ginnie was retiring. Instead of keeping Ginnie around to help train the new executive director, Mr. Leonard made her feel unwelcome.

Then, when two devoted, longtime employees wrote to the board saying they believed pushing Ginnie out was a big mistake, John had the new executive director immediately fire them. Hence, a complaint was filed with the National Labor Relations Board, and it cost the center $40,000 in pay and consequential damages for the retaliatory firings. Also, Mr. Leonard acted as the center’s attorney in the case, a clear conflict of interest.

I never met Mr. Leonard. I was upset about the center falling apart and helped the board find legal assistance to remove him. With one exception, who resigned along with Mr. Leonard, board members said they could no longer tolerate his yelling and hostility.

I love when a man who has suffered depression and had law licenses suspended can work to become a better person and redeem himself. But that is not this guy.

I always want to vote blue but cannot when John Leonard is the candidate.

Laurie Anderson

Hampton Bays