To the editor:

On March 6 at 1 a.m., Justin Kasieta participated in a harassing and obscene phone call to Jennifer Kelly. Kasieta didn’t initiate the call, but he sat in on it. He initially denied his involvement but later admitted that he was on the call and that foul language was used. Now he claims that he never made any “threats” against Ms. Kelly, coyly avoiding whether he was on the phone call or not. Here is what the Houghton County Sheriff Report dated April 4, states about Kasieta’s involvement:

“On 4/16/20 I talked with Eliason on the phone. Eliason stated that his client made a statement but he would like to summarize the statement over the phone.

– Kasieta states that Matthew Smith made the phone call to Kelly.

– Kasieta says that he was on a “conference, or three way call” and listened to Smith call Kelly.

– Kasieta states that Smith did use foul language but did not threaten to kill the dog, only that the state of Kelly’s house is dangerous for the dog.

– “The idea to make that call was Smith’s.”

Honestly, does it matter whether the caller threatened to kill Ms. Kelly’s dogs (though Kelly is far more credible than people who keep changing their stories)? The only question for Houghton County voters who must choose between incumbent Jennifer Kelly and inexperienced Kasieta is this: who will best serve the residents of Houghton County? Jennifer Kelly has 20 years of experience. She is an honest, experienced, and trusted public servant

Kasieta, who claims he overcame a rough childhood to become a model citizen, has a lot of growing up to do. Foolish mistakes of a 19-year old should not necessarily mar the rest of his life, but Kasieta has learned nothing from this mistake. A mature person would never have agreed to be part of a 1 a.m. call to harass Ms. Kelly. He would have told his friend to end the call when he heard the foul language being used. He would understand that this call was intended to and did instill fear in Ms. Kelly. He would apologize for his involvement. But Kasieta did none of these things, His participation in that call and his conduct afterwards – with law enforcement and in his public accounting – show that he is too immature and irresponsible to hold public office.