SUFFOLK -- As if school budget debates weren't already hot enough this year, it's sizzling in Suffolk.
Teachers are demanding an apology for comments made by Vice Mayor Curtis Milteer last week. They're convinced he referred to them as dogs.
Milteer's comments came toward the end of the March 17 City Council work session in a discussion about the pending school budget. Teachers are lobbying to keep it robust despite state budget cuts.
"The dogs have been sicked on council by that other force," Milteer begins. "This isn't new. (Unintelligible)... when I got on Council they were doing it. They'll bark. The dogs will run and bark until June. After June, everyone will stop hunting."
Teachers began sharing a link to the video of Milteer's comments posted on the Suffolk city Web site.
"We thought he was referring to us because as educators, we're the only ones that work until June," said Ethel Williams, who teaches special education at Elephant's Fork Elementary.
Williams is also president of the Education Association of Suffolk.
She has sent a letter to Milteer and Mayor Linda Johnson saying she found the comments appalling.
"We have a right to speak and ask questions and not be referred to as anything but CONCERNED CITIZENS," the letter states.
What's worse, Williams said, is the laughter heard after Milteer's comments.
"It was like they were agreeing with the comment even though they were laughing out of nervousness," she said.
Williams said Milteer should apologize at the next City Council meeting.
Milteer, a councilman for 30 years, said he did not recall saying anything about dogs.
"If apologizing to them is necessary, I'll do that," he said
Johnson said Milteer's comments were nothing more than some of his trademark colloquialisms.
"I felt like he was speaking of the budget process," Johnson said. "I certainly don't think he was referring to the teachers. Knowing him personally, I can't imagine that's what he meant."
