Gaines demands Gillespie resign from Aviation Commission over ‘racist’ email

ALBANY — Albany-Dougherty County Aviation Commission member Gloria Gaines is demanding that Dr. Charles Gillespie resign from his position on that board after Gillespie included Gaines on a forwarded mass email that she described as “racist” and “appalling.”

The email, which contains content attributed to a “female physician in Munich, Germany,” refers to migrant “animals, especially those from Africa,” coming into Germany and spreading diseases.

Gaines responded with an email to Gillespie in which she tells the retired physician he has “spit in my face with this kind of unnecessary insult.” She added, “You represent a city that is 70 percent African-American and this is your attitude. … My challenge to you … is that you immediately submit your resignation from the City’s Aviation Commission. You are not fit to represent the citizens of Albany nor are you fit to serve with the rest of the decent and respectful members of that commission.”

Gaines told The Albany Herald she had previously received an email from Gillespie that contained similarly offensive content.

“He’s done this before, including me in an email about Detroit,” Gaines said. “And he’s also sent out emails attacking (city Transportation Director) David Hamilton and Ms. (City Manager Sharon) Subadan. It’s a pattern with him. He’s tried to come up with a response to explain away his actions, but his response is an absolute lie.

“What he’s doing is simplistic racism. He refers to human beings as ‘animals.’ I can’t think of anything more offensive. I wonder how we can reduce ourselves to such simplistic nonsense as this. I am appalled.”

Gillespie did not immediately respond to messages left by The Albany Herald seeking comment, but he did send a responding email to Gaines that said: “Sorry that you have misinterpreted my YEARS of community work as ‘racist.’ Most others do not.”

The initial email Gaines referenced showed photographs of a rebuilt Hiroshima 67 years after the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city and compared it to scenes of slums in Detroit. It contained the text: “What has caused more long-term destruction, the A-bomb or government welfare programs created to buy the votes of those who want someone to take care of them?”

Gaines responded: “I am greatly offended by this email. Please explain what you hoped to achieve by sending it to me.”

Gillespie replied: ” I am offended to see what (has) is happening to so much of our country’s infrastructure and things like cultural habits.”

Gaines responded: “What does that have to do with me? My life has been everything but what you sent me. Every penny I have gotten since I was 18, I have personally earned.”

Gaines said she also received an email from Gillespie referencing city Transportation Director David Hamilton and City Manager Sharon Subadan. That email included these comments from Gillespie:

“G: The fact that an FAA uncertified person was placed in charge of the airport WITHOUT ANY DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR COMMISION before the change was made IS MY PRIMARY ISSUE. David is a nice man, but he has no experience in managing an airport. Example is the fact that his lack of expertise in handling the radio problems on the runway that has been pointed out on several occasions by UPS. Who downtown has enough expertise to address the issue to the point that a PROPER letter can be construction?

“It is reported that the City manager notified BM (Aviation Commission Chairman Dr. Bill Mayher) NOT TO ADDRESS UPS about the radio problem is of concern when he is the most knowledgeable person on ABY. When she visited our last meeting, she is reported to have told people outside our room and BEFORE the meeting that (she) did not intend to make any changes in the leadership. I also took note that she used her cell phone throughout our meeting, apparently not paying any attention to what was being said during our proceedings.

“These are a few of my own concerns. I am sure the others have additional thoughts. During the 12+ years I have been on ABY, with the exception of when W(illie) Adams insisted on placing an unknown candidate on the Commission without our involvement, I have never seen such a mess as we are facing at the present time.”