Goldsack speaks about resignation

MILFORD — Yolanda Goldsack, the embattled former director of elections for Pike County read a statement Wednesday at the weekly meeting of the county commissioners. Goldsack announced that she was no longer seeking reassignment in a county job, thanked her former staff and those who work at the county polling places. She said her silence about the controversy to this point was ordered by Commissioner Harry Forbes, on the basis that the commissioners would respond to her critics. She said she could not comprehend why Forbes remained silent. She went on to accuse the commissioners of many “well meaning but poor decisions... too numerous to go into today” which “end up on the Board of Elections doorstep throughout the past two years.” Goldsack saved her harshest criticism for the “attacks,” “distortions,” and “allegations” of Pike’s Democratic leaders; including Julius Litman, Elizabeth Forrest and Commissioner Karl Wagner. She said that using a “Machiavellian scalpel, Mr. Litman and the Democratic Committee have carved a picture for the last two years,” of a corrupt election process. Free from county gag, Goldsack said she planned to write, “so that the truth may finally be told,” about the county election system. Her statement follows, less a line referencing documentary proof which was not provided with her faxed statement: Good morning, I am here to address the issue surrounding my resignation as the Director of the Pike County Board of Elections. Before I begin, I want to make it clear that although I resigned my current position and asked to be transferred to another department, I would like to go on record stating that I no longer seek a transfer and no longer wish to be an employee of the County of Pike in any capacity, effective immediately. Before I go any further I would like to say “ Thank You” to my former staff. They are hard working dedicated professionals, whom I have had the honor of working with. Janice De Febo, Irv Rosen and Nadeen Manzoni were not just staff, they were like family to me. I would also like to thank all those who work for the voters of Pike County at the election polls, many of them seniors, who believe in the election process and take pride in serving their country and their community. Many times it is a thankless job, but I want them to know that I am very proud of them and it was a privilege to have worked with them. Having said that I would like to clear the air as to the reason for my resignation. As the Director of Elections, I was given strict orders by then Chair, Commissioner Forbes that I was not permitted to speak out on any attacks or allegations made about myself and the office of the Board of Elections by Mr. (Julius) Litman, Ms. (Elizabeth) Forrest and the Pike County Democratic Committee. The Commissioner said the Election Board would address all complaints and allegations. Although it is not a pleasant experience being maligned on a daily basis by the likes of Mr. Litman and Ms. Forrest, there is a much bigger picture here that needs to be addressed. Why the Commissioners chose to not respond to the attacks made on my character is one thing, but why Commissioner Forbes remained silent for so long and would not address distortions and allegations made by the Democratic Committee is another. I can understand why Commissioner Wagner, as a Democrat would stand by and allow our election process to be maligned, as he fears Mr. Litman and the PCDC, and does not want to fall from grace with them. Yet out of his own mouth he has told me that Mr. Litman is a crazy ideologue and that the Democratic Committee is now run by a few people who cannot be reasoned with. I have also heard this sentiments from Democratic friends of mine. But for Commissioners Forbes to allow this assault on the integrity of our election system to go unchallenged for so long is something I have yet to comprehend. I quote: “Given the robust population growth forecast for Pike County, we must all now step up, organize ourselves and put control of Pike County into time-tested Democratic hand, where it belongs,” This is a quote from Julius Litman, Methodically and with a Machiavellian scalpel Mr. Litman and the Democratic Committee have carved a picture for the last two years that our election process has been corrupted and can no longer be trusted. Their method of gaining political power is not about an honest debate about ideas but rather through distortion and undermining our election process hereby creating distrust in our election system. At this time I would also like to address another issue that has truly disappointed me. The Commissioners, over my objections decided to have me removed completely and totally from the Canvass of the Vote during this past Primary, what happened to Mr. Meachem was totally avoidable had I been allowed to do my job. This is but one of many examples of well meaning but poor decisions that have been made by some on the Board, but have always managed to end up on the Board of Elections doorstep throughout the past two years. They are too numerous to go into today but in the coming weeks, I will be writing letters and giving interviews so that the truth may finally be told and the voters of Pike County will see that our election system has checks and balances so that no person, not even the director can corrupt it I am disappointed that some on the Board did not defend the elections office until all the damage had been done, but that being said, the integrity of our system is more important than Yolanda Goldsack. I can no longer sit on the side lines and not be permitted to speak because I am an employee of the county, and allow dangerous people like Mr. Litman and Ms. Forrest to hurt the voters of Pike County. I am now free to set the record straight, and have every intention to do so. I thank all my friends and supporters both Democrats and Republican alike for being there for me throughout these past two years. But most especially to my husband, Bob, and my son, Brian, whose love and unwavering support helped me truly understand what is really important in life. The love and respect of my family. I loved my job and will miss it. I wish my staff and all those I had the pleasure to work with well. It was a privilege to have served my community and an honor to serve all the voters of Pike County. Thank you, Yolanda Goldsack