Dear Editor,
Several inflammatory public statements, letters and press releases have recently been issued by a single Philipsburg Historical Foundation (PHF) member who did not seek approval of the PHF board before implicating the entire organization in these remarks.
I feel it is my duty to set the record straight and put an end to this tiresome and embarrassing saga before further harm is done: Luther Gette, present PHF curator, has submitted for publication a series of missives that includes factually-dubious declarations and immature name-calling.
Community feedback reveals that people mistakenly understand Mr. Gette’s words to represent official viewpoints of the PHF board. This is not the case.
Because Mr. Gette announced his determination to continue in such reckless and ruinous behavior, the PHF board was forced to consider a resolution that precludes any board member from speaking publicly about PHF matters in a way that could insinuate board authorization, without first obtaining explicit board approval.
The resolution was approved unanimously.
Since the passage of this resolution, which Mr. Gette himself voted in favor of, Mr. Gette has attempted to rewrite history by composing and sending yet another press release full of his own quotations, this time characterizing the resolution he himself supported as “a sideshow,” and declaring that the board, himself included, is attempting to “censor” Mr. Gette.
I made it clear to Mr. Gette at our last board meeting that he is free to express himself in any way he chooses as a private citizen, and we celebrate his right to do so.
Though he is an articulate, entertaining and highly prolific writer, and I value his legitimate contributions to our foundation, Mr. Gette’s undisciplined words and actions are something I do not condone and will not abide.
I am of the mind that thoughtful, polite dialogue is much more effective in resolving perceived problems than repeated public tantrums and tirades that serve only to destroy our foundation’s credibility.
I write these words on my own behalf, and the opinions I express here are not necessarily representative of the entire PHF board.
Teresa Mull
