Norm Roche's letter to the editor

After arriving at Darren's house Wednesday night, finding a mailbox

full of uncollected mail, getting no response at his front door, I

proceeded around to his garage door to see if it was unlocked.  It was

unlocked, and as I rolled the door up I was hit with the unmistakable

odor that something was terribly wrong inside his house.  You see, it

had been a few days.  My sister spoke with Darren by phone early

Sunday, he missed his appointment with his divorce attorney on Tuesday,

and nobody could reach him by phone.  My other sister contacted me

Wednesday night and asked, on behalf of my mother fearing something was

wrong, if I would go to his house to check on him.

As I stood at the garage door opening amid the distinct foul odor, I

think I knew right then what I was about to find if I continued.  I had

no choice though, and I reluctantly entered his house. I began calling

his name, going from room to room, intentionally avoiding his bedroom

as if somehow I knew that I would find him there.  Again, I had no

choice.  Having checked everywhere else, I made the slow and somewhat

resolved walk to Darren's bedroom.  As the odor became stronger with

every forced step, I continued to call his name.  My legs became weak,

tears began to stream from my eyes, my stomach began to tighten, and

yes, my worst fears came true. I found what I did not want to but knew

I would.

By now you're probably wondering what this has to do with the St. Pete

Times. I guess, not really much. Not much except for the similarities

in scenarios. How a morally bankrupt bureaucracy can allow the vitriol

attack on a given individual. The hurling of lies and slanderous

accusations, without accountability for those who hurl them. Or the

way I feel as I walk down my driveway each day to collect my daily

issue of the Times. The way I feel as I open the paper, knowing that

I'm about to find something terribly wrong.  This past Sunday's issue

was no exception. 

Again, I find a nameless, fact-less, cowardice, and slanderous

editorial attack using my families' name and mine.  But this time

there's a little twist, the ugly little race card folded in to the mix.

For clarification purposes — and there is no expectation of any act of

clarification — for near 20-years I had been preparing for the honor of

presenting myself for consideration by our electorate as a candidate

for a Pinellas County Commission seat. 

In 2004, when it was clear that the Pinellas County DEC had no

intention of fielding a candidate for an open seat on our county

commission, I made a decision to field myself. Although my then-opponent (now, Commissioner Ronnie Duncan) and I engaged in a civil

campaign — it was the St. Pete Times who took it upon themselves to

throw the mud at me throughout the entire campaign. To be clear; Ed

Helm was not the Party Chair at that time.

In 2005, when it was clear that the Pinellas County DEC had no

intention of fielding any candidates for any of the '06 races for seats

on our county commission, I made a decision to try again, and again I

fielded myself.  Again, although my opponent (Commissioner Calvin

Harris) and I engaged in a civil campaign — it was the Times who again

took it upon themselves to throw the mud at me throughout the entire

campaign and continue to do so.  To be clear; Ed Helm was not the Party

Chair at that time either.

Ed Helm did not "recruit" me to run against Ronnie Duncan or Calvin

Harris, and my attempts to seek office in Pinellas County had

absolutely nothing to do with the color of one's skin. Ed helm is not

responsible for the losses we've incurred in this past Primary

Election, and he is not responsible for the losses we will incur in the

upcoming November Election. However, a quick glance in the mirror may

get you started on the correct blame trail.

My attempts to seek office in Pinellas County had everything to do with

being a prepared, qualified, and ethical candidate with integrity — who

was dedicated to doing the people's work and refused to sell out to

special interests for a win. But you know that already, and I suspect

it is exactly why you've engaged in your vitriol-based lies and

slanderous attacks against my family and me. The Times' agenda has

been very transparent for some time now.

My mother's son (me) lost two attempts to help improve this world. My

mother has now lost a son (Darren) to miseries of this world. I again

ask you to stop your lies and attacks. My mother must now move on

following the loss of her son and we must now move on following the

loss of our brother. Perhaps you too should move on. 

PS: (also short for Personal Slight) If you can't find it in you cold,

partisan heart to let it go then might I suggest that you simply do

what most guys with your condition do; buy a sports car, you impotent

coward.