Support for 'Review' despite disagreements

To the editor:

I am writing concerning the controversy that has arisen with respect to my advertisement in the Dec. 23, 2010 — Jan. 5, 2011 issue of the Riverdale Review, indicating my support of the newspaper’s right to continue to be published despite the fact that I have disagreed with it on many occasions. My attitude can best be reflected in the well-known statement attributed to Voltaire, “I disagree with what you say but I will defend to death your right to say it.”

One of the many areas with which I disagree with the views of the newspaper is its criticism of PS 24 and its principal, Donna Connelly. I visited PS 24 l recently and was very impressed with the atmosphere of learning, orderliness and creativity that permeated the school and its classrooms.

I am very pleased that Ms. Connelly has been able to establish a positive relationship with the parents after the tensions that arose as a result of last year’s controversy over the former principal. I also have a favorable opinion of some of the innovations Ms. Connelly has instituted, such as providing an opportunity for students to engage in enrichment activities during their lunch period.

Additionally, last spring Speaker Christine Quinn and I brought an anti-bullying message to the students during “Respect for All Week,” which was well received and resonated with the egalitarian message they were receiving at school, which, under Ms. Connelly’s leadership, emphasizes courtesy and respect for all.

I will continue to disagree with the many of the ideas expressed in the Riverdale Review, particularly as they involve schools in our community, but I believe that it is in the American tradition to defend a free press as a vehicle for public debate and discussion.

G. Oliver Koppell