Once again, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has attacked and attempted to embarrass a strong female counterpart of his, Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner. When I read about his actions in James O’Toole’s “Early Returns” post “Fitz Ousts Chelsa” (Dec. 14) — with Mr. Fitzgerald calling Ms. Wagner an enemy and then throwing her out of a party he was hosting in New York — I was offended not only as a woman but also as an Allegheny County taxpayer.

I often see men who are intimidated by women making strides in professions such as law, government and medicine, but I never expected Rich Fitzgerald, who calls himself a “progressive Democrat,” to react so aggressively against someone who merely attempts to question him. Mr. Fitzgerald’s attempt to make Ms. Wagner look inferior to him is just a cowardly act by a politician who never wants to be challenged or questioned, especially by a woman.

PAULA HELSEL
Wilkinsburg

First Published: December 19, 2013, 1:05 a.m.