I am writing to you today to address the numerous lies, falsehoods, and misrepresentations that the tabloid Journal News & their tabloid journalist Matt Coyne had the audacity to print this past Friday about not only the company, but me personally. All I can say is: we are having an impact, because there is no other reason for the attacks. Actually, I do have more to say. I contacted their board of directors, pointed out every lie, requesting a retraction, and they told me that they will “stand by the story”—a story that is disturbing (and laughable) in its inaccuracies. Lest you be misled, I’d like to take a quick moment to correct just a few of the fabrications about me, one by one. The first two I share as backstory, and to simply show how loose the Journal News is with facts in general, and then third one is the kicker: 1. ALLEGATION: Monroe Mann started a fundraiser on GoFundMe for Break Diving, Inc in August 2016. FALSE. Not only did I never launch any fundraiser on GoFundMe for Break Diving, but in August 2016, Break Diving, Inc. was not even a company. It was not formed until September 2016, in the state of Delaware. Does this paper not do research? 2. ALLEGATION: Monroe Mann raised $1,500 through a GoFundMe fundraiser for Break Diving, Inc. FALSE. No such amount of money was raised for Break Diving, Inc. I wish that were the case! I did start a fundraiser for the company, but in 2017 (not 2015), on Razoo.com (not GoFundMe), and I raised $436 (not $1,500). Does this reporter and newspaper just make up facts? (That’s a rhetorical question, because, yes, they do). 3. ALLEGATION: Monroe Mann “pocketed” $1,500 raised for a charity. FALSE. Ha! This is the most outrageous and amusing allegation. Why? This fundraiser never occurred. This money was never raised. No money was ever ‘pocketed’--because it's impossible to pocket money that didn't exist. Where they heck are they getting their 'facts'? Here’s the true story: The $1,500 I mentioned to the reporter has nothing to do with money raised from fundraising. In late 2017, Break Diving, Inc. applied for and earned a $1,500/month services-in-kind grant from Salesforce, the donor management company. No money was donated; it was a donation of services-in-kind, meaning no money ever touched our bank account or changed hands. Break Diving, Inc. remains a charity in good standing with Salesforce, the IRS, and worldwide, with over 4,400 members in over 85 countries. And for good measure (in case you are wondering), I have no criminal record, am an attorney in good standing, and am the subject of no pending criminal investigations in NY or otherwise. I assure you: I am a very trustworthy person. It seems clear that the purpose of the Journal News article was to insinuate that because I am being paid a salary, I am ‘stealing’ money from the people who have donated to Save Our Tappan Zee, Inc. No, I am not. I am being paid a reasonable salary (that both boards have approved) to continue to keep this issue alive, and to help create continuing public awareness of the petition--which is now almost at 107,000 people. Oh, I might add that thanks to my efforts, there are now two bills floating around in the state legislature to return the Tappan Zee name to the bridge. You're welcome! :D What the Journal News novelist failed to disclose in his "short story" was that every donor was (and is) aware that the board hired me to run the company and that an executive director being paid by a not-for-profit is not criminal. In fact, in any well-run not-for-profit, it is the norm. I have no shame in being paid to continue to push this movement forward. I have been working hard to keep the movement alive, and we have sold quite a bit of “Save Our Tappan Zee” merchandise—so much, in fact, that we have run out of stock and are awaiting new shipments. I'd like to point out, however, that from day one, I agreed (in writing) that if ever my modest salary interferes with the mission, i.e. coming down to a choice between paying me or paying for advertising materials to keep the movement alive, the board should absolutely cut or eliminate my salary. I agree to this months ago. Why? Because this movement, to me, is not about making money--in the end, it's about doing what is right. If there is money to help pay me for my time, great. If not, I plan to continue the fight nonetheless. Ironically, in return for doing what is right, I am now at the boot end of serious beatings in the press, and from individuals who have never met me and know nothing about me. Why is this happening? BECAUSE WE ARE WINNING! HUZZAH! HOORAY! Folks, we ARE making a difference. Our voices ARE being heard. Botton line: please do not believe what you read. Was there a board reshuffle? Yup! I admit it. Personality conflicts. Big deal. It happens. Replacements were recruited who believe in the cause, and we’re still on track, and moving faster than ever. Case in point: have you seen the new Save Our Tappan Zee poster? You’re gonna absolutely love it. Seriously, go look at it now and see for yourself what an amazing job we're doing: www.saveourtappanzee.org/store That poster alone is going to keep this movement alive. I hope this message has helped allay any misgivings you may have that this shameful article seems to have engendered. I want you each to know that I am not going anywhere. They can try to derail me, and derail the cause, and try to make me come across however they want, but I will not stop as long as I feel I can continue to have an impact. And I still can. WE still can. We still ARE having an impact. I also hope that you realize that now more than ever, we could use your support. Purchasing a small SOTZ box is just $35, and includes 2 car magnets, 4 stickers, a bunch of branded pens, and a branded hand sanitizer. Medium and large SOTZ boxes include lawn signs and posters too, to help you get the word out even more. When you use them, or give them away, you too will be able to help us fight Albany. If you want to support us, you can do so at: www.saveourtappanzee.org/store Finally, I am happy to directly address any remaining questions or concerns you may have via email at saveourtappanzee@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you! Sincerely, -Dr. Monroe Mann, PhD, Esq, MBA, LLM, ME Executive Director Save Our Tappan Zee, Inc. www.saveourtappanzee.org saveourtappanzee@gmail.com