Peekskill City Council Woman Drew Claxton and her boyfriend, Ted Bitter are the co-owners of the Bean Runner Cafe in Peekskill N.Y. The hypocrisy of the two reached amazing heights when Mr. Bitter showed up at a recent Peekskill Council Meeting for the sole purpose of attacking children.
As some of you know, for the past year and a half residents of Peekskill- Black, White and Latino- have joined forces with others who find racism despicable. At first we took our grievances behind closed doors with the Democratic Party leaders, including Mayor Mary Foster. In fact, we did that twice before deciding we had to take our issues public.
The response by the city leaders was TOTAL disrespect, marginalizing us, denial, insults, attacks, rule changes, threats with police force and more. But a strange thing happened- our support swelled! Culminating with a hugely successful march for dignity on May 23 2011. That was the second time the city asked for mediation. We accepted and was met with character attacks at the meeting by the city's representatives. One of them was Drew Claxton. We broke off talks.
As a result of the community, more and more rejecting the Democratic Party, the Peekskill Dems had a hard time finding candidates to run this year. Two one- term incumbents decided they had enough, two replacements also dropped out in time. They got kicked off of the Independence Line for fraud. Of course ALL of this is the community's fault for standing up for Human Rights. How did the city respond? By cancelling, after 15 years, Parks and Recreation bus service for the award winning and nationally recognized dance group Staj and the Stajettes! They retaliated against our children.
Myself, some parents and the girls dance group went to the last council meeting to object and point out that WE pay for everything and the city spent at best, $3,000 last year for transporting these girls. Ted Bitter, Bean Runner Cafe co-owner and spouse of Councilwoman Claxton shows up, screaming like a maniac and bringing the girls dance group to tears.
He basically said the council can't be racist because it is diverse and his white spouse, Claxton married a Black man. He also said he has a track program and when they need money-mind you, we didn't ask for money- he begs and harasses people at supermarkets.
He is ignorant to think that diversity means a lack of racism. Diversity usually brings MORE racism. I mean you have to have SOMEONE to discriminate against! He also doesn't understand that we are teaching these girls to be self sufficient. They raise ALL of their budget with art and bake sales- not begging. But we are also teaching them that self-respect means asking for your fair share of the resources just like every other group in town!
Bitter is a hypocrite and so is Drew Claxton. They have the Bean Runner Cafe because she is politically connected and he exploits her white skin privilege. I hope people recognize the hypocrisy and the hurt to these children caused by Ted Bitter .
Spend your money elsewhere.
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