I just don’t want to see any more City Council members that see nothing wrong with dealing drugs.

There is a Coatesville City Council election coming up on Tuesday May 21st. Patsy Ray is on the ballot in Coatesville's Second Ward and At Large. 

There are people here in Coatesville who seem to believe that selling drugs now and then to make ends meet is something poor people need to do.

One of those people allegedly is Coatesville City Council person Patsy Ray. 

“As stated above, we don't know Murray. We didn't know her growing up and we don't know her now. We do, however, know of what was proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court and that she is a drug dealer. 

But City Council President Patsy Ray defended Murray's reputation, going so far as to write the letter. The letter was part of a pre-sentencing investigation. 

"I can confirm that (Murray) is a woman of great integrity, (and) is extremely dedicated to her family and neighbors ... I have not seen anything wrong with her behavior," Ray wrote in the Nov. 14, 2006, letter. 

In the letter, Ray identified herself as a minister and councilwoman. Ray said she has known Murray for 15 years through the Home Gospel Mission. 

"People in (Murray's) neighborhood look up to her for help ... In her neighborhood she was always the first to call the cops to make (sure) her neighborhood was (safe)," Ray wrote. 

How can that be? Could someone dealing drugs from their home be the same person calling the police to make sure her neighborhood was safe? 

In addition to the dozens of Coatesville residents upset with Ray's actions, even a county assistant district attorney questioned the appropriateness of an elected official coming to the aid of a drug dealer. 

At the sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Michelle Frei challenged Ray's support for Murray. 

"She (Ray) sees nothing wrong with the defendant's behavior," Frei said. "It is ironic that everybody seems to ignore the seriousness of the defendant's conduct." 

Frei said that Murray "contributed to the demise" of Coatesville.” 

FROM: 

Daily Local News   Sunday, February 18,2007

Ray's support for drug dealer a concern for city