Yellow Journalism?

To the Editor:

I feel compelled to write a letter in support of my neighbors Tom and Lisa Gissen, who I feel have been unfairly treated by the character assignation and yellow press displayed by the articles and letters in The Bee. Both Tom and Lisa are upstanding citizens who support our community and are excellent parents whose reputations and good intentions, unfortunately, were affected by the actions of immature adults (yes, the 18-year-olds are considered adults by our society).

Tom served our community well on the Board of Education, fighting for the needs of our children and the young adults to ensure a quality education. Both he and Lisa are very involved in the lives of their children and they have been excellent parents who have guided and nurtured them. The articles and letters have distorted the facts and painted a picture which was far worse than reality. Tom and Lisa took every effort to provide a safe venue for the after-prom party at their home; however, some young  “adults” chose to violate the trust that was placed in them to sneak in alcohol or hide it in the woods prior to the party and Tom and Lisa are now being held accountable for their actions. Why aren’t the parents of these young adults being held accountable for the actions of their children? Why aren’t the young adults being treated as adults instead of shifting the blame to the Gissens? And why does The Bee permit yellow journalism to attack the good name of a member of our community by distorting the facts?

Ronald Calderone

43 Horseshoe Ridge Road, Sandy Hook                         May 12, 2007