Biddeford Pool, Maine

A Public Statement issued 11/20/09 by Margo Alley, author of Wood Island Lighthouse – The Rescue of Tammy Burnham:

 It has been brought to my attention that Maurene Kennedy of Waterford, CT has made numerous public allegations questioning the veracity of my book. I am neither compelled nor inclined to respond point by point to her statements, which I find factually baseless, disparaging and libelous. I stand 100% behind the facts, accounts and details depicted in the book. These same facts and accounts were verified and upheld by an investigation of the U.S. Coast Guard which was concluded August 1992.

 As to my motivation for authoring and publishing the book:  my intention was to research and reveal the truth of a controversial set of events which culminated in the brave rescue of a little girl at sea. The facts of that evening clearly support a cover-up which remained unchallenged for over thirty years. I am proud of both the results of my investigation and the public acknowledgement by the U.S. Coast Guard recognizing the heroic actions of Seaman Apprentice Edward Syvinski, EN First Class Laurier Burnham and Biddeford Pool lobsterman Preston Alley, all of whom received commendations.

 12-03-09

Kristopher Furtney the retired USCG investigator in the rescue of Tammy Burnham has given Margo Alley his consent to post the following:Maurene Kennedy daughter of Chief John F. Kennedy did in fact call Mr. Furtney at his private residence to inquire about his role in the 1992 USCG investigation of Wood Island Lighthouse The USCG Rescue of Tammy Burnham on 29 NOV 1960.

Mr. Furtney relayed that he was in fact the USCG investigator and that he stands by his investigation 100% and that it was not a flawed or incomplete investigation by any means what so ever. It appears that Maurene Kennedy has taken her informal conversation with Mr. Furtney out of context if she is stating otherwise.

Second Public Statement from Margo Alley Regarding Maurene Kennedy

06 Dec 09

I hereby inform all readers that Maurene Kennedy of Waterford, CT has escalated her ill-advised, acrimonious and illegal campaign against me and my book, Wood Island Lighthouse – The Rescue of Tammy Burnham.

Recently she called Charles Garnache who is a fellow author and long-time close family friend of mine. Mr. Garnache, who is in his 80s and still lobsters out of Biddeford Pool, is a highly-respected writer and well-known local gentleman.

Ms. Kennedy contacted Mr. Garnache via telephone and misrepresented herself as a person interested in possibly purchasing both his books and my own. Before Mr. Garnache realized that she was not being honest with him, he had happily given her my private cell-phone number, believing that she wanted to purchase our books. She spoke to him for some time before revealing other, ulterior motives besides purchasing books. As their conversation continued, Mr. Garnache grew increasingly suspicious of the nature of the personal questions Kennedy asked him concerning myself and my book. Realizing that he had, in fact, been duped by Kennedy, Mr. Garnache immediately contacted me and gave me a full account, which was thoroughly documented and reported to the appropriate local authorities.

While I would prefer this to be a private legal matter, Ms. Kennedy’s disturbing pattern of unethical and violative behavior compels me to alert my family, friends, readers and general public to her actions. While each of us are entitled to our opinions of any published literary work, Maurene Kennedy continues to publicly and vociferously impugn both my name and my professional integrity.

As stated previously, I stand 100% behind the facts and accounts of the daring rescue of Tammy Burnham on November 29, 1960 as detailed in my book. Despite Kennedy’s allegations to the contrary, documentation of the investigation by the United States Coast Guard fully support the historical accuracy of my research and reporting.

Maurene Kennedy’s continuing disparagement, libel and public defamation of both my work and my character constitute the grounds for legal action, which I have already undertaken. I hereby ask that anyone receiving suspect communication from Ms. Kennedy regarding my personal or professional business please contact me immediately so that I can forward this information to the proper authorities.

I regret any inconvenience and wish to thank my faithful and loyal family, friends and readers for supporting me during this difficult and unnecessary debacle.

Sincerely,

Margo Alley

Author of Wood Island Lighthouse – The Rescue of Tammy Burnham. (2007)

Copyright 2009 Margo Alley