Ray Rosing Talks About His Health, School Board and Letter to Baldwin Residents

Several residents in received a mailed letter from newly elected Baldwin-Whitehall School Board member Ray Rosing this week in which the subject of the letter was Tracy Macek, another new school director who campaigned against Rosing as part of a different committee of candidates.

Macek was the only member of the to earn a B-W School Board seat in this November's elections, while Rosing and his running mates from the claimed five seats.

In Rosing's letter, he wrote that Macek and multiple friends of hers were engaged in a conversation on Macek's Facebook profile page in which Rosing's health was discussed, most notably whether or not his health issues would allow him to serve on the board.

Rosing included a transcript of that Facebook conversation in his mailing in which Macek discussed the possibilty that Rosing would not actually serve.

"Rumor has it that Ray Rosing has announced he has health problems," Macek said on Facebook, "so Laurencine Romack (a former board member who was part of the 'Residents' committee) should be taking his place just in time to be sworn in on December 7th.....So, all of the voters who voted for Rosing basically voted for Romack, and this was plan all along. Sorry, but you all got tricked."

Rosing wrote in his letter that Macek used vulgarity in that Facebook conversation, but the transcript shows that not to be true.

"She has put forth many claims regarding my health as well as my supposed desire not to serve on the School Board," Rosing wrote. "Even further, not only does she challenge my sincerity in running, she questions the ability of the Baldwin Borough voters on their choices for School Board.

"My letter is to simply clarify that I will proudly be serving on the Baldwin-Whitehall School Board, because I care about the residents and children of this District."

From Macek's Facebook conversation, "Supposedly, Ray is telling people he has health issues which must have started last night (Nov. 8) after . Marty (Schmotzer, a former board member and ) told Romack 2 different times tonight () that she would be back (on the board). I bet he (Rosing) resigns next week."

Macek clarifed, about Rosing's health concerns, "Its a RUMOR!!!! He didnt announce it to the public.."

From Rosing's letter, "I take exception to Mrs. Macek mocking or joking about any health related issues an individual may have. My son died of leukemia when he was a young boy—I do not take kindly to someone spreading rumors about another human beings health."

Rosing and Macek were both at the B-W School Board meeting on Wednesday night, Dec. 7, to be sworn into office.

Rosing was asked what the motivation was for the letter.

"It was just a rebuttal for the slander against me," Rosing said that night. "I'd really like to let it die. It was something that I had to do. One person kind of slandered me, upset my family, actually, about my health, which is totally wrong ... so that's why the letter was sent out.

"It's a done deal. It's over and done with. I'll let it die if they will, and we'll go on and try to do what we should up here (on the school board)."

Rosing said that his letter was sent to "targeted areas," including everyone on Macek's home street.

On Thursday, Rosing said that he is indeed dealing with health issues and that he was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago.

"How ironic it is that I'm going next week for my cancer check-up," he said, "because I'm having some problems.

"She (Macek) must have ESP (extrasensory perception) or something."

He continued, "I'm very excited about being on the board. I want to get the record straight."

Macek issued the following statement on Thursday, "The conversation on Facebook was with a group of friends and presumed to be private. It was not meant for public consumption. During this conversation, a rumor was being discussed that was never assumed to be true.

"I am happy that Mr. Rosing is intending to serve on the board and honor the decision of the voters. I look forward to working with him."

Rosing echoed that sentiment.

"When I go to meetings, I will leave my personal feelings outside that door, and I'll work with Tracy to benefit the (district). I'm not going to hold a grudge ... 

"I don't want people to get the wrong idea that it's going to be a battle between me and her."

Check back with the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch later on Thursday for photos, videos and a written report of Wednesday night's board meeting.

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