BJ Gillespie, who recently submitted an application to run for a City Council position, has developed the habit of attacking people verbally on social media and news websites. She usually doesn’t go out of her way to attack people first, but piles on if someone she likes is already attacking someone or being defensive to someone. The problem has recently spilled over to real life, where Gillespie became physically violent toward someone at a City Council meeting.
Attacking Involvement
BJ Gillespie has gone out of her way to verbally attack people that disagree with her or her politics. An example of this is from August 20, 2015, when Gillespie attacked Catherine Rendahl for contacting the City Marshal and inviting him to speak to the Good Neighbors group. According to Gillespie, it was improper for Rendahl to suggest presentation topics or to send a certified letter to the Marshal. Gillespie stated that the more “proper” way of contacting the Marshal was by contacting his wife through social media accounts.
The attack on Rendahl wasn’t started by Gillespie, but she certainly weighed in on it. Gillespie is quick to defend anyone she views as a friend or ally against any real or perceived threat.
Defending Ball
An example of Gillespie attacking someone can be found here on SandyOaksNews.com on the article “Micki Ball Drops the Ball.” Cathleen Recio commented on the article, stating how she felt about Alderman Micki Ball.
Gillespie came to Ball’s rescue, defending her by attacking the points that Recio and the article made. In her attempt at whitewashing Ball’s history, Gillespie applauded Ball’s actions such as getting rid of Art Martinez de Vara as City Attorney. Never mind the fact that Alderman Ball not only voted to approve him as City Attorney, but continued to rely on his advice even after she learned that he and other City Council members committed fraud.
But this isn’t Gillespie’s first attack on Recio. She regularly attacks Recio on social media. Here’s an example:
The message may seem out of the ordinary, but it’s right on par with the same sort of verbal abuse Recio receives from Alderman Micki Ball. In this screen shot Ball tells Recio to “STFU”, a shortened version of “Shut the Fuck Up.”
Again, Micki Ball makes a move, takes a stance, and BJ Gillespie acts aggressively in unison.
Physically Violent
First, let’s be clear. BJ Gillespie, as a citizen in the audience, has interrupted the City Council during meetings numerous times. For example, at the August 13, 2015 meeting Gillespie interrupted the City Council to inform them she had a connection with someone who could help with the WPPOA pool.
Alderman Micki Ball, while in a Council meeting, has spoken to members of the audience numerous times. She has also allowed other people to talk to the City Council and has not complained when City Council members have talked to others.
On September 10, 2015, Cathleen Recio asked some basic questions of the City Council. In response, Alderman Ball attempted to cut her off by raising her voice and loudly speaking over Recio.
For BJ Gillespie, having the City Council handle the issue wasn’t enough. The only thing more annoying than Recio’s interruptions, or the rude way in which Ball attempted to keep Recio silent, were the loud grumbles coming from Gillespie who was upset that Recio was asking questions. Finally, Gillespie raised her large notebook up and slammed it hard on the ground in an attempt to intimidate and silence Recio.
BJ Gillespie, a candidate for public office, used violence to intimidate someone she didn’t like at a public meeting.
Gillespie has never done this to anyone else. She did it because she and Ball don’t like someone. Essentially, Gillespie is a bully, who has decided that her primary purpose in life is to attack anyone, verbally of physically, who interferes with Micki Ball.
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