I am writing this letter on behalf of Mr. Marc Anthony. I have known Mr. Anthony since 1985, when I first met him as a co-worker at a local livery on the Delaware River. From the day I met Mr. Anthony, 37 years ago, I’ve appreciated and admired his candor, strong work ethic and integrity, sense of humor, reliability and trustworthiness.

I was born and raised in this local community. Ten years ago, when we had to move out of state to support my family in the military, I felt a sense of security and peace of mind, knowing that Mr. Anthony was back home protecting our community, including my beloved parents living in the Town of Highland. 

Over the past three decades, Mr. Anthony has demonstrated selfless care and dedication to the community, particularly to those who are most vulnerable. Whether it is a safety issue, a need for a helping hand or simply a friendly visit to bring laughter to the table, Mr. Anthony has always been there.

Learning of the allegations of misconduct submitted against Mr. Anthony, I feel compelled to share a perspective that can only be obtained through years of experience and observation in knowing a person. When I was a teenage girl working my first paid job, Mr. Anthony made me feel comfortable and built my confidence as a valued employee and teammate. He always brought laughter and camaraderie to the team, was the first to tackle the heavy lifting and jobs that others avoided, and was, without a doubt, the most reliable person I came to know. 

Years later, after I returned home from college, I was not surprised to learn that Mr. Anthony was a member of our local constabulary. His strong sense of selfless service and aptitude for assessing people’s character was a natural course for a career in law enforcement. His personable demeanor and genuineness are natural traits that are critical for connecting with others, an essential competency for community policing. This is a competency not taught through training or textbooks, but rather innate to one’s character. Through my observation and experience, this is one of his greatest gifts—one that he shares selflessly with the community.

Having known Mr. Anthony for over 30 years, I trust him to this day with my family, the keys to my home, and with the protection of our most vulnerable community members. As I try to make sense of the allegations brought against him, it brings me back to times when I observed people treating him differently because of the color of his skin. I hope that this is not an underlying motivating factor for these allegations. I believe in the premise of and right to due process, and trust those in a position of authority to fairly and responsibly resolve this matter. 

Karen Hirtz is from the Town of Highland. She has requested that this letter be shared with and read before the Highland Town Board.