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to promote civic engagement in the Philadelphia region.Swim pool Prez John Duesler says he never heard any racial remarks
Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 10:57 am - by Alan Tu. Filed under: Community.
Photo of John Duesler / Image NBC Phila website
Downloadable Mp3 of Radio Times show
The President of The Valley Club swimming pool in suburban Philadelphia says he was there when 65 minority children came to his pool and says he didn’t hear anyone make racial remarks to the kids. John Duesler says he welcomed the Creative Steps summer camp kids and even told them “to have fun.”
Duesler was a guest on WHYY’s Radio Times this morning with Marty Moss-Coane. When pressed why he made the comment that “There is a lot of concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … the atmosphere of the club,” he said he couldn’t explain why he said that. He reiterated that it was a “poor choice of words.”
The swimming club president says the board canceled contracts with the Creative Steps camp as well as two other large groups because of safety concerns. Duesler maintains that it became apparent that 65 kids was too large a group to be safely supervised.
Duesler also says he hasn’t slept much adding that he and his family have been barraged with nasty phone calls and emails. The interesting thing about his interview is that he would not acknowledge, at minimum, that children may have been deeply hurt by racist remarks by white club members. He said he could not confirm nor deny that such comments were made. So, we’re left with a guy who sounds like he’s part of the safety committee still looking for tripping hazards.
To be fair, The Valley Club has re-invited the summer camps back to the pool but so far none of the camps have returned his calls.
I’ll post the full Mp3 of this interview which included Mary Catherine Roper a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia Office who explained that The Valley Club is not classified as a private club under the strict definitions of the Civil Rights Act. Therefore the swimming club cannot discrminate as a “public accomodation” business.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Here is the phone number for the PDGA, (706) 261-6342 That is the organization that pays John Deusler!!! Call and complain…He is the Marketing Direcror for the PDGA and is the President of this swim club…
July 14th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Here is the respose from Brian J. Graham the Executive Director regarding John Duesler’s actions:
“As a person from a multi-ethnic background who has worked very closely, traveled and shared accomodations with John Duesler many times over several years, I can unequivocally say that the allegations of racism against him are absolutely untrue. It is unfortunate that the media has taken one ill advised word from his statement and run with it attempting to paint him as a racist. John Duesler is a man with impeccable character who deplores racism and it is criminal what is being done to him. I stand behind John and his family with my support and prayers and I urge everyone to withhold judgement and refrain from making uninformed comments. This is a media witch hunt and the truth will eventually come out.”
Here is the original source:
http://www.pdga.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=32063
Please call and express your concerns, PDGA, (706) 261-6342
July 16th, 2009 at 1:09 am
John Duesler is also the Director of Marketing for the PDGA, there are over 40,000 members, but only 3 are black. Please call and complain, they have a pool at their corporate headquarters, I bet no blacks are allowed there too. Call them and let them know this isn’t right!
John Duesler
Director of Marketing
PDGA 706-261-6342
July 17th, 2009 at 4:27 am
Just had to call out the BS ‘reggie’ is spouting here. The PDGA is an international organisation with around 20,000 current members worldwide. I’m in the UK that only has around 100 PDGA members, and I personally know more than 5 black or asian members.
Don’t believe ignorant people making things up!
September 8th, 2009 at 2:55 am
I personally know at least 20 African-American PDGA members, myself being one of them. Quit making things up!
If you want to call the PDGA to complain about this man, I don’t blame you. I have sent an e-mail expressing my concerns. But don’t try to put this on the 12,573 current PDGA members.