Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge fiscal restraint on purchases; one attendee alleges anti-Semitic remark by commissioner in prior meeting
Summary
Two public commenters urged fiscal restraint over vehicle requests and alleged a commissioner made an anti-Semitic remark at a prior meeting; the commenter cited a video timestamp and requested an apology, calling the remark unprofessional.
During the public-comment period on June 10, resident Chris David addressed the commission about vehicle purchases and fiscal stewardship. Referring to recent reporting, he said multiple departments were requesting new vehicles and urged commissioners to weigh "want versus need." "The budget should be set so the public knows and there's not surprises," he said, and suggested returning unspent funds to taxpayers if appropriate.
Later, Chad Skiles of Canton read from his review of the May 27 meeting video and alleged that a commissioner made an anti-Semitic comment during negotiations about moving a sheriff Harrisburg substation into an old elementary school. Skiles said he would not repeat the remark in the June 10 meeting but pointed listeners to a specific video timestamp and asked the commissioner to apologize, calling the comment "uncalled for, unprofessional, and appalling." "Commissioner, you owe an apology for that horrible comment," Skiles said.
The chair thanked both speakers. Commissioners did not take immediate disciplinary action during the June 10 session; one commissioner later on the record said they would not apologize and encouraged anyone offended to submit a written complaint.
