By Tom Grace
Otsego County Rep. Betty Anne Schwerd, R-Burlington, apologized Wednesday for using the word ``crazy'' during a forum Monday in Edmeston sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area.
However, Schwerd said her statement referred to one person with a mental illness who was not receiving proper treatment, and does not reflect her attitude toward people with mental illnesses.
A story that ran in Tuesday's newspaper and an editorial that followed it Wednesday didn't accurately reflect her attitudes or convey the many good things she has done for people in need, Schwerd said Wednesday.
In a statement sent to The Daily Star, Schwerd said: "The recent article and editorial in The Daily Star concerning my remarks at a debate were taken out of context and do not reflect my efforts as a county board member and private citizen to help those with mental illness.
``The specific quotation was an expression of my view that some county services are not reaching the needs of the mentally ill. I cited a specific case in which inappropriate therapy was offered to an individual at county expense, who in my estimation was not benefiting from it. I did use the word crazy' once to refer to that person, and that was poor judgment on my part. However, I did not make the broad, sweeping statement attributed to me. I was referring to a specific person and offered that some people are going to be crazy no matter what you do.' Some do not benefit from the therapies that are offered.''
In a telephone conversation Wednesday, Schwerd said she has gone out of her way to help people in need, including those with mental-illness problems.
She suggested contacting Joe Fodero of Oneonta, Otsego County's advocacy chairman of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Wednesday afternoon, Fodero said he knows of one person with mental illness whom Schwerd has worked to help.
Alexandra Braun of Oneonta also attested to Schwerd's good deeds, both in a letter to the newspaper and a telephone conversation.
``Actions speak louder than words. Betty Anne has helped the homeless, the soup kitchen and she has tried to provide the mentally ill in Otsego County with better care,'' Braun wrote. ``So it would seem to me that one word, `crazy,' taken out of context does not speak the truth about Betty Anne's feelings towards the mentally ill or others with disabilities.''
Braun said Schwerd has helped her receive appropriate medical attention and that she knows Schwerd has helped others, too.
