Anonymous Note Aims Vague Threat At Salem City Council Majority

SALEM, MA -- The municipal election in Salem earlier this month was billed as one of the most divisive in recent history, prompting Mayor Kimberly Driscoll to use her victory speech on election night to call on Salem residents to work together. Not everyone, however, seems ready to move on. Over the weekend many Salem residents found a cryptic, "vaguely threatening," anonymous message in their mailboxes.

The message says that while Paul Prevey failed to defeat Driscoll, a "strong minority" supported him, including City Council president Elaine Milo, Councilor-At-Large Arthur Sargent and and Ward 4 Councilor-Elect Timothy Flynn.

"A lot more respect should be paid to councilors who share Prevey's views and values, because they are backed by a strong minority and as Americans we must uphold the values of Republic," the note said. "If anything gets passed without the support of one of councilor Milo, councilor Sargent, or councilor Flynn we will make use of the tools at our disposal to fight the mob rule of the majority."

The message made reference to unspecified "tools" made available by the state legislature to "enforce the rights of the minority especially if they are a strong minority." The full text of the note appears below.

Sargent was not immediately available for comment, while Flynn said he had seen the note on Facebook but did not know who had written it.

"No one asked my permission to use my name," Flynn said. "The election is over and I'd like to see the newly elected administration be unified and work together to move Salem forward. My goal is to make sure Ward 4 is represented and has a voice at city hall."

In a Facebook post, Milo said she does not condone the letter and was surprised people were debating the merits of the points raised in an anonymous letter. "Above all, I promise you the one thing sorely lacking in our current political arena at the national level on down to our local level – kindness," she wrote.

Meanwhile, Ward 5 Councilor Josh Turiel posted the message on his Facebook page in a note to constituents.

"Really? First of all, it doesn't work that way, folks. The Council isn't required to 'pay respect' to any particular viewpoint or opinion. Our job is to evaluate each issue that comes before us, get the feedback of the people we represent, and make an informed decision based on that and our own opinions and views," Turiel wrote. "That's democracy, folks. We had an election, certain people won, the people who didn't win don't get a consolation prize of 1/3 of the votes. They lose. The winners try to then govern effectively on behalf of everyone with a primary view towards what the city's majority wants. This vaguely threatening letter is ridiculous."

Previously on Salem Patch: Driscoll Calls For Reconciliation After Divisive Salem Election (11/8/17)

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).