To the Editor:

I want to set the record straight concerning the letter from Margaret Hastrup. First, let me say that resigning from the Hudson County Animal League was a very difficult decision to make. I wanted more than anything to help the animals of Bayonne. Phyllis Melito, who also resigned, had dedicated 15 years of her life to the league, only to have been maligned and criticized by the Board of Directors. She was never asked to reconsider her resignation.

Instead, the board sent us an email and asked us to wait 30 days and then they would accept the resignations. Soon after, they rescinded this 30-day wait period offer. Contrary to what Margaret wrote, there was never any offer made to meet and discuss changes. Instead, a very vicious email was sent to us by a member of the board, one who had only been involved with the league for a little over a year, accusing us of not caring for the animals and suggesting that we were trying to sabotage the league by resigning.

Phyllis and I were accused of “poisoning” members against the league, and nothing could be further from the truth. Our resignations were not a “vendetta,” as was suggested by this board member. The board decided that they wanted this new member to stay and for us to leave. The board was meeting the night we decided to leave, so the resignations were left in Margaret’s mailbox so that she could read them to the board.

When you try to work with a board who does not cooperate, who makes excuses for not being available when help is needed, who rejects everything you try to do, then it is time for the president and the vice president to leave. I wish Margaret, the new president, well, and hope that the league will continue to help the animals.

ADELAIDE LAURIE