Town Board issues censure to Highway Superintendent James Miller after antisemitic remark; Miller apologizes

The Ancrum Town Board read an official letter of censure at its July 16 meeting, finding that Highway Superintendent James Miller engaged in antisemitic hate speech on town property on June 4, 2026. The letter, entered into the meeting record, directs that a copy be placed in Miller’s personnel file and recommends he submit a written apology to the person who experienced the conduct.

Supervisor read the censure into the record, stating that the investigation found Miller indicated to a member of the public that the person “was an expletive old Jew,” language the letter said violated the town’s code of conduct and employee handbook. The letter notes the incident occurred on town property and describes the conduct as undermining the integrity of the town of Ancrum.

James Miller addressed the board and apologized, saying he was present at the relevant planning board meeting as a private citizen. “I said a couple inappropriate things that I regret,” Miller said in a prepared statement, adding the words grew out of frustration with protracted permitting and escrow fees that burdened a proposed solar project on his land. He said the developer withdrew after costs approached $20,000 in escrow and that he is “seriously considering selling it to the highest bidder” instead of pursuing solar.

The censure letter gives Miller the opportunity to submit a written response within ten business days, which the board will keep on file alongside the letter. The board did not announce any additional discipline at the meeting and placed the censure in the official record.