THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 4, 1995 TAG: 9502040328
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: MANASSAS LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Prince William County Supervisor Bobby McManus says she's allergic to a perfume worn by fellow supervisor Maureen Caddigan, and claims Caddigan wears it to ``punish'' her.
In a Jan. 25 letter to Caddigan, McManus described her reaction to Caddigan's ``White Diamonds'' perfume, saying, ``It made my eyes water, head hurt, nose run, and throat closed.''
McManus, who sits to Caddigan's right at board meetings, said the Dumfries District Supervisor began wearing the fragrance early last year.
McManus said she made Caddigan aware of the adverse reaction the perfume had on her.
``I offered to buy her any perfume of equal value,'' McManus said, adding that Caddigan declined her offer but agreed not to wear the perfume to board meetings.
At the board's last meeting Jan. 17, McManus said, she was forced to leave the board chambers for the evening session because Caddigan had again ``doused'' herself in the perfume during the dinner break.
McManus called Caddigan ``spiteful'' and said she believes Caddigan is just trying to ``punish me for whatever she thinks I'm doing wrong.''
Caddigan refused to comment on the issue Thursday, saying only, ``It's so petty.''
Supervisor Michele McQuigg, R-Occoquan, said she too had been able to smell the perfume from her seat on the opposite end of the dais.
``I am personally sensitive to perfumes myself,'' McQuigg said.
McManus said she has already asked Caddigan once nicely not to wear the perfume. She said her letter ``is a warning that she's going to have to accept the responsibility of what happens to my health.''
In her letter, McManus says her doctor told her she would have to receive ``extensive allergy shots that may or may not work or simply avoid the perfume.''
KEYWORDS: PERFUME SCENTS ALLERGIES by CNB