FAC Weekly Update 2025-07-29-Heroes and Politicians
Dear Members and Advocates,
Bill McKenna is a hero!
Woodstock, New York, Town Supervisor Bill McKenna is facing backlash for doing something increasingly rare in today’s climate: he gave someone with a past sex offense conviction a fair chance. Earlier this year, McKenna recommended the hiring of a man on New York’s sex offense registry to a part-time job as a maintenance worker. The man’s tasks include mowing grass and picking up garbage.
The employee did a good job and was eventually hired full time. Still, when some members of the community learned of the man’s past, a petition circulated, and a fiery Town Board meeting ensued. Three Board members—Maria-Elena Conte, Bennet Ratcliff, and Eric Courtis—accused McKenna of concealing the information (despite the fact that in 2014 Woodstock passed a resolution to “ban the box” as part of a movement to remove a checkbox on job applications about a potential employee’s criminal history until after a conditional job offer is made) and pushed to fire the employee. The resolution to terminate him passed, and the man who had done nothing wrong, was doing a good job, and probably had limited employment opportunities to begin with, is now out of work.
Despite the pressure, McKenna did not back down. In statements to the media, he defended the hire and rejected the idea that a person’s past—particularly when they have complied with every legal requirement—should be a life sentence of unemployment and shame. In fact, McKenna described the man and his performance on the job in very positive terms. He told Hudson Valley One “He’s been an incredible worker. He’s been pleasant, polite and hard-working… I’m proud to have given this individual an opportunity to get his life on track.”
Even after the firing and public backlash, instead of apologizing or blaming the hire on the registrant (as most politicians would have done to save face), McKenna doubled down on his decision, telling his town, “our community is committed to helping those in need, those looking for a fresh start,” he wrote. “I acted in that spirit. If I am wrong, if this is not how Woodstock feels, if I misjudged my community, then I am sorry.”
From FAC’s perspective, this is exactly the kind of principled leadership our society needs more of. McKenna had a candid discussion with the employee, assessed the situation and made a judgment based on facts, not fear. He chose to act with fairness and dignity toward someone trying to rebuild a life after incarceration. He is deserving of our appreciation. Not just for giving someone a second chance, but for having the political fortitude to defend his position and for recognizing that opportunities such as the one he gave this man are what will reduce recidivism and make his community safer. Unemployment, social ostracization and housing instability are triggers for re-offense, so if we already have returning citizens in the community, we are better off giving them the tools needed to live productive, law abiding lives.
At a time when most politicians shrink from controversy, Bill McKenna stood firm. For that, we believe he deserves to be recognized as a hero. If anyone feels inclined to send a note of appreciation, his contact information can be found here.
Shifting gears while remaining on the topic of politics, this administration has not been good for our population. Last month the DOJ issued a Memo outlining it’s priority to denaturalize people who have committed sexual offenses (that is, to revoke citizenship of citizens not born here but who became naturalized), And last week President Trump issued an Executive Order calling for the expansion of Civil Commitment (which is involuntary institutional confinement for an indefinite amount of time for individuals who have already completed their sentence), and gave directions to specifically target homeless people on the registry.
Particularly here in Florida, we have a large population of people who immigrated from other countries and became citizens. We also have some of the most onerous sex offender residency restrictions in the country, with thousands of people on the registry unhoused simply because they are legislatively banished from the majority of available housing in their communities. These recent policies are a significant concern for us. Not only does our population need to worry about being targeted by vigilantes, we now need to worry about being targeted by our own government! The stress of having to worry about deportation or potentially being picked up and indefinitely incarcerated without any change in circumstance, other than the inability to find compliant housing, is unfathomable.
There’s a message in this Weekly Update that can’t be ignored. Our work in the legislative arena is critically important. We need to do all we can to get people like Bill McKenna elected to political leadership. We also need to do all we can to get the facts in front of all our elected officials, so that when confronted with situations like they were in Woodstock, people will make informed decisions and not ones based on fear or myth. To get involved in our Legislative Committee efforts, please contact [email protected] or call us at 833-273-7325, Option 1, and help us keep fighting the good fight!
Sincerely,
The Florida Action Committee
Discover more from Florida Action Committee (FAC)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
You are defending an individual who violently raped multiple women after drugging them, and then videotaped himself a person who also was found with five violently graphic sexual images of an 11-year-old. But go off and tell me how he should get a job working in my town as a maintenance worker? Tell me how we should feel safe with this man who has a level three most likely to recommit who made a plea deal so he wouldn’t do 20 years instead of just five. This committee disgusts me.
Let him work. He has enough oversight. Today’s world has cameras remember? The person paid for his crime already in a court of law. Give him a paycheck for a job well done. Let all of us back to work. The is nothing to fear, but fear itself. We have all paid for our stupidity in court. We want to work. Or at least most of us want to.
Stop this public court nonsense. People don’t realize they are being unconstitutional by putting this person through open public hearings. It constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
It harkens back to witch hunts and Salem trials.
Yes yes I know “ In the name of public safety”
That mantra has been repeated over and over.
It’s a lie.
We must rely on facts now more than ever. Read the statistics from doctors lawyers therapist and educators. Read everything on the subject. I want everyone to fill a vocation. Working is good.
Dear Florida Action Committee,
I’m writing to express deep concern over your organization’s apparent support—or perceived support—for a Level 3 sex offender who was recently hired into the maintenance department of my town, despite having committed extremely serious crimes, including the rape of an unconscious woman and possession of child sexual abuse material.
This individual is now being framed by some in our community—and reportedly by your organization—as someone deserving of a “second chance,” with public officials referencing FAC as a reason to ignore community outrage and even a board vote for his removal.
To be clear: this is not a case of a low-level offender seeking housing or reentry. This is a high-risk, violent individual whose employment was facilitated by a personal relationship with the town supervisor’s secretary, and who now works in a public role, funded by taxpayer dollars.
Your organization’s mission to reform outdated or unconstitutional registry policies is important, but I hope you can appreciate how harmful it is when FAC’s name is invoked to justify the continued employment of a dangerous predator—especially against the will of the community and town board.
If FAC has publicly supported this case or this supervisor, I respectfully ask that you clarify or reconsider that position, and distinguish between reform advocacy and defending individuals who pose a continued risk to the public.
Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your response
My Town Supervisor, your “hero” is using FAC to defend the hiring of a violent Level 3 sex offender, that’s a misuse of this organization’s mission. FAC does not defend individual sex offenders or excuse criminal behavior. They advocate for systemic fairness—not dangerous offenders working in your community.
Highly recommend people reach out to Mr. McKenna. What he said takes a lot of courage.
I wrote him thanking him for standing up for us. I actually got a response and he said he’s thankful for the support 👍
@no end
Thanks guys, Good work reaching out and glad you got a response. He seems like a kind person.
Yes sir 🫡
Bill McKenna hired a level 3 sex offender this individual videotaped himself violently raping an unconscious woman, and they also had five images of an 11 year old in sexually violent graphic images. They believe there are MORE VICTIMS. Read the charge! This is not ok! He is not a hero is doing a favor! Nepotism! The convicted rapist is dating the supervisors secretary!
Ms Vianello,
I can appreciate your position. Our support of Mr. McKenna and the position he took is not intended to take away from the victim impact or condone the individual’s actions. We are both on the same page that sexual violence is unacceptable and the perpetrators deserve punishment. Where our opinions differ is on how former offenders should be managed once they are released from confinement and back into our communities.
The reality is; according to research from the Office of Justice Programs, 94% of persons convicted of a sexual offense WILL NOT reoffend. The recidivism rate is much, much lower than what the public perceives it to be. Additionally, most registrants, if re-arrested, are arrested for a non-sexual offense, such as a benign registration violation. The likelihood of this individual repeating his crime would be very low. There is a far greater likelihood of an employee NOT on the registry committing an offense, than someone already on the registry.
Another reality is; housing, stable employment and community support are the tools needed to prevent recidivism. By firing and ostracizing this man, the town destabilized him and inadvertently increased his likelihood of reoffending. Given the fact that he will, presumably, continue to live in your community, that’s a result nobody wants. Also, if he’s not suitable to be a maintenance man, what job do you suggest he do?
We can’t speak to the relationship he had with the supervisor’s secretary or nepotism. If that was the concern, it certainly wasn’t what was relayed in the articles and it’s not the point of our post. We know how difficult it is for someone with this label to get employment. We see how often people get fired from jobs, not because of their job performance, but because of a past misdeed from which they are trying to do better. We also see how often, when confronted with an unpopular issue, a politician will turn around and blame the registrant to deflect the heat. Supervisor McKenna didn’t do that.
Nobody should be forever defined by the worst thing they ever did. Similarly, no victim should be forever defined by the worst thing that ever happened to them. If we want safer communities we need successful reentry. That includes stable housing, employment opportunities and positive social relationships. If a town cannot foster that success and set a positive example for its citizens, it’s actually making the community less safe.
Let’s correct the misinformation:
People keep repeating that “94% of sex offenders don’t reoffend,” but that statistic doesn’t apply to Level 3 offenders.
Level 3 sex offenders are classified as high-risk because:
• They’ve often committed multiple or violent offenses.
• Risk assessments show they are much more likely to reoffend than lower-level offenders.
• The Level 3 label is assigned to protect the public—especially children—not to shame someone who’s “done their time.”
So when someone uses the 94% stat to defend a repeat predator, they’re misusing the data—and putting our community at risk.
This isn’t about being unforgiving. It’s about being realistic with the facts and putting safety over sympathy.
Ms Vianello,
I hear what you are saying, but just to make sure I understand correctly; are you suggesting that if he were a Tier 1/Level 1/Low Risk you would be OK with him having the job? I don’t want to assume that without confirming. If, at minimum, you agree that some people on the registry could be suitable for this position – just not this guy – then at least we’re making headway in that, as a general concept, you agree that there should be some opportunities for some people on the registry. Getting a job at Amazon or in most large corporations is not likely for someone with this label. In most cases, you only find work through someone that knows you. I get the nepotism and relationship with the Supervisor’s secretary was an issue for you, but the reality is knowing someone is probably the only way this guy is going to get a job anywhere.
You’re very upset about this particular guy and it might be with good cause. I don’t know him. He might be a total maniac. But what I’m challenging you on are some general perceptions. I’m also sharing some statistics so we can look at this issue a bit more objectively. 95% of sexual offenses are committed by someone not on the registry. 93% of sexual abuse victims know their abuser. 34% are abused by a family member. 59% are abused by someone the family knows and trusts (e.g., friends, babysitters, neighbors, coaches, clergy). These are government stats, not my own. When we look at the statistical likelihood of a child being sexually abused, the chances are that it’s not going to be a random guy on a list, but a coach, camp counselor, uncle, or even a friend. Sadly, the registry has been around for more than thirty years and kids are still getting molested, so something isn’t working right and maybe the solutions people are using (registration, exclusion, residency and proximity ordinances, social ostracism, etc) are not working, but there might be better ideas out there. Look into “Restorative Justice”, or “COSA – Circles of Support and Accountability”. Both programs seem to have success.
Or maybe – if it’s this particular guy who you’re focusing on – the community can find some way to support his reentry and rehabilitation so that he has an opportunity to do better. Not because they like the guy, but because they want him to not reoffend. So rather than saying F-this guy, let him rot in hell, maybe Woodstock can find a better position for him that will satisfy everyone, instead of just kicking him to the curb?
Hi Ms. Vianello,
I just wanted to thank you for engaging with FAC and it’s members. I certainly understand your concerns and appreciate your input. I think our frustration, particularly in states like Florida, is that people on the registry are all painted with the same brush. Just being on the list makes everyone a violent repeat child molester in the eyes of the public. Too many times, have we seen public outrage push people on the registry away from the very things that will ensure there is less recidivism. Recidivism is already very low for those on the registry, imagine how much lower and much more beneficial for society it would be if there weren’t barriers to jobs, housing, and social interaction? This particular individual notwithstanding, I hope that you will be able to learn more about the truth of this registry scheme and how terribly misguided and wasteful it is.
Furthermore he doesn’t live in my Community he lives an hour away! I suggested he get a job and an Amazon warehouse packing goods, away from children and not working in a maintenance department near children!