Dear Editor:

I am taking this opportunity to respond to the lead article on the front page of last Friday's issue of the TIMES NEWS. That article indicates that the present appointed District Attorney of Schuylkill County, Karen Byrnes Noon, intends to have the court remove me from my present position as councilman here in Coaldale.Unfortunately, when reading this article you could, quite understandly, get the impression that I had been convicted of embezzlement of public monies, bribery or perjury, etc. What was not reported in this article was that I was, in fact, convicted over 30 years ago for possession of a controlled substance. This error on my part is both documented and well known by just about everyone both here in Coaldale as well as in the surrounding area. This mistake that I had made so many years ago is certainly something that I am not proud of, but it is also something that I have never denied. I know that I have since led a quality life including raising what are now 4 successful children as a single parent.This issue is now only being raised because of the position that our town council took when we terminated our 3 full time police officers. Please know that these 3 officers were immediately rehired as temporary police officers. It must be known that if this action was not taken at that time, Coaldale would have been completely bankrupt last October, which would have resulted in the state taking over the operation of our town. The opposition of this necessary action is coming mainly from relatives of the 3 officers affected.In the newspaper article, it further reads, "Noon states in the suit she is bringing the action after receiving numerous complaints from the residents of the borough and after investigations conducted by her detectives." I am confident that if Ms. Noon would release the names of the individuals who have contacted her about me, it would become clear that complaints she has received have come from these same relatives as well as from other individuals who are running for council seats in the upcoming November elections.Please know that I fully intend to fight this action by Ms. Noon. It is my sincere hope that the vast majority of citizens here in Coaldale are aware of my service to my community, and that they will support my continuing efforts to keep our borough safe, clean and financially solvent.Sincerely,David YelitoCouncilmanCoaldale, PA