Furious Residents Blast Trustee They Say Called Them 'Racist'

GREENPORT, NY – Angry residents turned out at Thursday night's Greenport Village board work session to call out Trustee Doug Roberts on texts in which they said he'd call them "racist."

Greenport resident Joan Dinizio, who works in the Greenport High School athletic office, Sandy Martocchia, who's a PTO member, and Kirsten Droskoski, a member of the Greenport Board of Education, attended the work session after they were sent texts, centered on a possible dual language program in the Greenport school district, in which they said Robert accused them of being "racist".

Dinizio spoke first.

"Before I'd even seen those texts, 8 other people had already seen them, including 2 members of the Board of Ed at the school where I work. Had those two ladies not known me for years, I probably would have been in the Superintendent's office defending myself. I have a big problem with that," Dinizio said.

She added that if even one Hispanic or Latino student "got wind of the texts "and put a doubt in their mind that I did not support them, he would have done more damage in that one text than any good he had done with his welcoming community" designation.

"I support all kids in that school, regardless of the color of their skin or country of origin. I work very hard at the school for all the kids and I am hurt and insulted that he would make such a statement. The man does not know me," Dinizio said. "Despite another text to Sandy Martocchia saying he's had discussions with me. I have made my position clear: I have never had a conversation with Doug Roberts other than to exchange pleasantries when we pass one another in the village."

Ramona Miranda, the woman with whom Roberts was texting, has known Dinizio for years, she said; her kids were friends with Miranda's brothers, she added.

"You should be ashamed yourself and resign from your position," Dinizio said to Roberts. "You had no right to do this to anyone."

Dinizio pointed out that Roberts is a Democratic committeeman. "You are trying to make me out to be a bigot, and my husband, who has been backed by the Republicans, guilty by association and make people think he is a bigot and racist, too," Dinizio said.

James Dinizio, Joan's husband, is an incumbent Southold town councilman and is running in the November election on the GOP ticket to retain his seat.

"This is disgusting," Joan Dinizio said.

Martocchia said she has "never had a conversation" with Roberts. "How dare you?" she said. "I don't trust you. I will never talk to you." Martocchia said she's never seen Roberts at school events, where she volunteers. She added that she volunteers to help "the entire community, white, black, Hispanic — everyone." As for a dual language program, she said she wrote about it years ago as a reporter in Chicago. "You know nothing about my background."

She added that Roberts has been trying to contact the three women after the texts were shared.

"The only reason you're sorry right now is because you got caught," Martocchia said. "You're not an honorable man. You'e a liar. You're in denial. You said you worked with me on the PTO. That's another lie."

Martocchia went on to say that Roberts had no concept of the school's financial situation. She said she was unhappy last year with the large class size due to a large ENL population but the situation has improved. "We need a bilingual teacher in every classroom — but we don't have working bathrooms. You don't know. You don't volunteer. You don't walk the halls. . . You, sir, are not a member of this community."

She asked why Roberts was taking about her when they do not know one another. "You don't know my family." She said she did not think Roberts, as a Dem committeeman, could be impartial in his position. "Republican doesn't mean racist, and I'm sorry you're treating us all this way," she said. "Shame on you."

And, she added, Roberts did not apologize.

Next, Roberts read the texts aloud. "Did I mischaracterize your position? If so, I apologize," he said.

Roberts said Miranda had asked him about running for office. "I was having a political discussion with her," he said. "I may have mischaracterized you, and I'm sorry. I'm glad you support this dual language program. I am sorry someone decided to share my private text with you."

He said the women "launched a public attack" on him, that he "does a lot of stuff for folks around here. . . I apologize for mischaracterizing your position. I did not call anyone any names," he said.

Greenport resident Chatty Allen said the incident needed to come to light. "That remark should not have been made. That's another back door deal that's trying to be done. That's what needs to stop."

James Dinizio then stood to face Roberts, stating that he'd read the texts. "My first impression is that you called us racists," he said. "I believe anyone who read that would have come up with that impression. You are the welcoming community — you pushed that. You said, 'Let's get together, have unity.' You said you wanted to hold the community together and what did you do?" The women referenced in the text, Dinizio said, "do more for this community in one day than you've done in a year. After those texts, they have angst, asking themselves, 'What did I do wrong?' What would make you do that?"

Dinizio said he's been in politics for many years. "I've got a pretty thick skin. I've dealt with people of all kinds. But I've never dealt with a guy like you."

Dinizio, a Trump voter, said he was booed by Roberts at a unity event.

He said the students his wife works with call her "mother." The texts "put a little doubt in their minds. And no amount of 'I'm sorry' helps that because we're tainted now. They have that doubt," Dinizio said.

Dinizio lauded Miranda for coming forward with the texts. "She's brave but she's scared to death. . .That's the most egregious abuse of power an elected person can have. You are supposed to be trusted, to care about everyone — and that includes my wife, the other two ladies, and me."

Dinizio said he will not participate in a debate planned by Roberts and Mary Bess Phillips, "not after you've called me a racist," he said. "You expect me to come and think you haven't done something underhanded? I don't feel the least bit of trust for you."

Dinizio said he will be campaigning outside the post office and IGA, and will participate in the Peconic Landing debate for any resident who wants to speak with him.

Miranda, on Facebook after the meeting, said, "I was once going to run for village trustee because Doug Roberts suggest I could be 'the Latino voice for the young people.' He claims to be this amazing humble politician. I heard great things. After him shutting down my ideas to unite Greenport instead of just running as a 'Latina' face, I said, 'No thanks, I am busy.'"

She added, "I have not spoken to him unless he contacts me to get the young people to vote. Recently he texted me, yet again to see and talk to certain candidates about what the young people needed in Southold Town. I said I would meet with them, and discuss some concerns."

Those concerns include housing and jobs, she said.

"He later proceeded to ask me to run with his wife and suggested a dual" language program, one "that people from our school board, educators and parents would not approve of. Please, I beg you Trustee Roberts, do not say that I emailed you. Because if I did not have your number saved, I surely did not have your email. This is a Democrat that continuously judged actions of all other candidates — unless they are on 'his team.'"

She continued, "The sad part is, that this is an elected official, playing a game of "he said, she said," when there are clear messages that he sent to me, and the wrongful things he accused others of. Keep my name out of your mouth. I have been in Greenport since I was 2, came here undocumented. But I will not allow anyone to interfere with my goals, my volunteering . . or ruin the blessings I am receiving."

In an email after the meeting, Miranda told Patch, "What really has me bummed out the most, is that I am the first woman to graduate from a family of immigrants. I have interned for the United Nations and federal reserve. I have so much to give back to this community for everything they have done for my family. But when people such as Trustee Doug Roberts take advantage and use you for their own agenda to be the voice of a Latino community, or the 'young people,' to get votes, it really stinks and makes you wonder why you even went into the field you are so passionate about."

When asked for comment after the meeting, Roberts responded via email: "I am always happy to talk about village business with members of the media. This is not village business."

Patch courtesy photo.