The Real Ken Runion

Over the last two weeks, Mark Grimm and Warren Redlich have attempted to draw me into a web war.  They have admitted to taking my identity and placing a defamatory site on the web. Warren Redlich has posted my name with links to my personal information on a large number of Internet sites (estimated to be over 50 sites) in several states.  He has even posted pictures of my home.

Apparently the web is part of Warren Redlich’s  business and this is the way he conducts it.  In one post he describes how his activity is “legal” and certain laws don’t apply because the sites originate from outside of New York state.

In order to protect myself and my family, I have had to spend substantial amounts of money, not only to purchase various combinations of my name to prevent more defamatory sites appearing with my taken identity, but I have had to purchase credit protection and cancel or modify financial items due to the exposure of my personal information.

Both Warren Redlich and Mark Grimm have access as town board members to all of my personal information, as well as that of other employees.  This  includes social security numbers, direct deposit records which contains information on my personal banking information, etc.  Their conduct demonstrates that they have no sense of decency.  They have even posted The statement of a victim of sexual harassment made against our former Chief of Police on the Internet which includes some of her personal information including address and date of birth.  This is information which under town policies is to remain confidential.

Over the past week, I have been swamped with phone calls at the office and at my home in regard to this activity.  I am not only concerned about my personal and financial information, I now have a concern for the safety of my family and myself.  As one caller put it, Warren Redlich with his sarcastic and vitriolic comment can use the site which bears my name and picture to post something which offends another person and that individual could look to take retaliatory action against me or my family thinking I am the one responsible.  This caller pointed out an incident elsewhere of a citizen upset over parking tickets who went into a city hall and shot members of the city council, the mayor and other city staff.

Warren Redlich and Mark Grimm have in the past used a mail list server on a domain called guilderland-ny.com to anonymously mail to hundreds of people misinformation about the Town.  The e-mails were cleverly worded to make them appear to be sent by the Town of Guilderland.

I now know what it feels like to be stalked by an individual, and that stalking can be carried out both physically and electronically.  If Mark Grimm and Warren Redlich invested the time they have in “bashing” and “stalking” me into performing their job as town board members, the town would be much better off.

What I have learned most of all, is that the conduct of Warren Redlich and Mark Grimm, has become a total distraction in both my personal life and  in my ability to perform my job.  While their negativity has made it more difficult to get things done on the town board level, it has now accelerated and grown making it more difficult to carry out day to day operations.

I have reached the conclusion that I can no longer be distracted by the conduct of these two individuals.  I am, therefore, going to concentrate my full efforts on my job and my family.    It is also my opinion, that Mark Grimm and Warren Redlich have engaged in this conduct in order to pressure me to not run for re-election.   I will not be pressured by either Mark Grimm or Warren Redlich into making that decision.

At this time, I need to concentrate on the issues at hand, which includes the economy and the effect it can have on the operation of town government.   We need to continue in our efforts to improve the town infrastructure and plan for the town future.  We also need to address some of the issues we have in various parts of town, such as McKownville and several other areas, which are experiencing serious storm drainage issues.

Keep in mind how important this election year is for Guilderland. Regardless of who runs for elective office, if a Republican is elected, Warren Redlich takes control of the town and town hall. Not only will Warren Redlich destroy town government, he will attempt to destroy anyone who gets in his way or his partner Mark Grimm’s way to capture it.  Warren Redlich will malign, retaliate and attempt to destroy anyone who speaks out or disagrees with him or his partner Mark Grimm, even to the extent of placing someone’s identity or personal safety in jeopardy.

—Ken Runion