Board of Selectmen
56 School St.
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
To members of the Oak Bluffs Board of Selectmen:
It has come to my attention through media reports that you are considering revoking the taxi cab license of Mr. Morgan Reitzas, a driver for Elizabeth Warren who was involved in a recent confrontation with a videographer employed by the Massachusetts Republican Party.
As a public figure, I encounter “trackers” daily. Their constant presence is part of the political process, and candidates and their staff need to respect their right to participate in that process. When candidates bring in outside help, they need to make a good faith effort to make sure those individuals do not overreact to people who are just doing their jobs. In this instance, it is clear Mr. Reitzas was not educated about the dos and don’ts of the campaign trail.
Mr. Reitzas was put into a situation that is foreign to most people, he did not understand what was going on and he let his emotions get the better of him. While this doesn’t excuse his behavior, Mr. Reitzas has recognized that he was out of line and his attorney has expressed regret on his behalf for what happened.
I do not think that taking away this man’s livelihood is the appropriate response to what occurred. We are in tough economic times. Mr. Reitzas has a young daughter, and I am concerned about how he would support his family if he lost his license. He seems like a regular guy who’s just trying to get by like everyone else. It is my hope that he will be allowed to continue with his job and get back to his life.
Sincerely,
Sen. Scott Brown
