Debate erupts over mayor's controversial Facebook post

During a recent council meeting in Keene, public comment highlighted tensions surrounding social media posts made by Mayor Parrish. Debbie Bells, a local resident, addressed the council regarding a post from July 20, 2024, in which the mayor accused eleven of the twelve charter commission members of slander. Bells characterized the mayor's statements as \"harsh\" and labeled them as hate speech, questioning the validity of the claims and asserting that the commission members were not handpicked, as the mayor suggested, but had applied through an open process.

Bells emphasized the importance of freedom of speech while also expressing her discontent with the mayor's portrayal of the charter commission's work. She defended the commission's integrity, stating that they had dedicated valuable time to serve the citizens of Keene and that discussions were conducted openly and without external influence.

Following the public comment, the meeting transitioned to agenda item four, which involved discussing the fiscal year 2023 audit for the city, conducted by BDK Forvis. The meeting faced technical difficulties, delaying the presentation of materials to the council members. Rachel Ormsby, representing the auditing firm, was introduced to provide insights into the audit findings.

The exchange reflects ongoing community concerns regarding leadership communication and transparency within the local government, as well as the challenges of managing public discourse in the digital age.