| Walter O'Neill: The Missing Link? | |||||||
| by BUDDY AMATO | |||||||
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In Long Branch, Walter O'Neill is probably the single worst person to put into a position as a public affairs spokesperson, especially for the School Board. I've known him for many years, and have yet to get a straight answer out of him about anything. He is married to the owner of The Link, which is his big claim to "communications fame," if you'd call it that. I don't feel bad about telling it the way it is about Walter, because a matter of months ago he made it a point to call me a racist to the president of the Long Branch NAACP, Lorenzo Dangler. This was done behind my back and not to my face. But, when all of this nonsense was said and done I still received the NAACP's award for 2002, because the NAACP didn't believe what Walter said. In fact, I have always been a public and private supporter of civil rights and real equality. In my karate school, and in my life, it doesn't matter what color people are. Instead, I judge people by the content of their characters. It seems pretty clear to me that the School Board officials in Long Branch are trying to influence The Link without coming out and buying it outright. I had no idea that Walter is already a security officer (a.k.a. hall monitor or rent-a-cop) for the School District, earning $25,000 per year. Now, with the move that the superintendent is putting together, if Walter gets this new job in public affairs, he'll make $30,000. Oh yeah, he's going to "step down" from his position at The Link (so he's "The Missing Link"?). I don't see how that's possible since his basic position at the newspaper is "owner's husband." According to sources at the School Board, Walter is "eligible" for the public affairs position. Are you kidding me? Listen, the media is getting manipulated in Long Branch enough right now. The City Council and the School Board are very tight already. Now, the School Board hires old Walter from The Link. And what? The Link is going to be reporting things straight? Give me a break. This whole deal stinks to high heaven, worse than a Link reporter's bad breath. At least in his new position, Walter won't have to answer to his wife/boss, at either ³his² karate studio or at the newspaper. I resent being labeled as a racist by Mr. O'Neill. I work very closely with the NAACP in Long Branch, and I know Mr. Lorenzo Dangler, the president of that group, very well. What I admire most about Mr. Dangler is that he can't be bought, and maybe that's why the people who have been holding office for so long in that city were afraid of him last time he ran for school board. He's not one of the boys in the backroom, but Walter definitely is. I guess it's safe to say that the relationship between The Link and the School Board is as close as a West Virginia family tree. I just can't believe that anyone that is elected to office can cross the line like this just to sway the local press. By the way, if Walter does get this new $30,000 job (it's looking good for him), then the citizens of the city are getting seriously overcharged. Walter O'Neill, or should I say Mr. Link, comes a lot cheaper than that. In business, I am a karate school owner, as Walter is...or should say his wife, but I don't think very much of him in the area of martial arts either. And, I'll leave it there for now. Buddy Amato is a Hazlet business owner, who operates Amato's Karate and Weapons Academy. For more information, call (732) 671-9555.
Copyright Buddy Amato Amato's Goju-ryu Karate, Nunchaku, Bo-staff, Aikido, Sword, Kendo, Sais, Kick-boxing, Tai-Chi and more 589 Palmer Ave, Keansburg and is the author of Buddys Animal Kingdom, NJ 07734 (732) 671-9555 |
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