Black Town Supervisor Resigns After Receiving Threats, Verbal Attacks

Photo: University of Albany A Black town supervisor in New York has resigned after facing several threats and verbal attacks during her time in office. Effective Sunday (Sept. 1), Jaime Puccioni, the town supervisor for Niskayuna, New York, said she would be stepping down from her role, per Atlanta Black Star. The town supervisor serves as the presiding officer over the town board. Puccioni’s resignation comes amid a racist message that was left on her office voicemail. According to court documents, an anonymous number called Puccioni’s office earlier this month. “I have some concerns that she may want to hear otherwise the next step is federal criminal charges against the n— and n— lover,” the caller said in the message. 24-year-old Niskayuna resident Osman Rasul was charged with a second-degree felony count of aggravated harassment as a hate crime in connection to the incident. Prior to the racist voicemail, Rasul attended a town board meeting in July, where he accused town police of harassing him and addressed Puccioni directly. Puccioni’s secretary also said Rasul regularly called her office from anonymous numbers. Puccioni seemingly addressed Rasul’s behavior in a statement, saying the racist voicemail wasn’t an “isolated incident.” “The latest situation...