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Lincoln County commissioner apologizes for slur; proposed resolution condemning antisemitism fails for lack of second
Summary
After the chair raised a May 27 incident in which a racial slur was used, Commissioner Douglas Putnam apologized publicly. Commissioner Arons moved a resolution condemning antisemitism, but the motion died for lack of a second amid debate over whether a broader anti‑bigotry statement should replace it.
Commissioner Douglas Allen Putnam apologized at the June 24 Lincoln County Commission meeting for remarks made at a May 27 session that members said included a racial slur. Putnam identified his family background and said he had spoken with a local rabbi and was remorseful for any offense caused.
The chair opened the meeting by saying those statements "have no place in our meetings" and invited public comment on the incident. Multiple speakers — including Linda Montgomery and Richard Wigney — addressed the commission during public comment, offering varied perspectives on offense, free speech and public decorum.
Commissioner Arons introduced a resolution condemning antisemitism and asked the commission to adopt it, citing recent national data and local concern. Arons said elected officials have a duty to speak up and referenced a rise in antisemitic incidents recorded by the FBI in recent years. He moved to pass the resolution and have the chair sign it.
The motion failed for lack of a second. Commissioner (speaker 9) said she supported condemning bigotry but wanted a more inclusive resolution that condemned discrimination against all groups and asked for a deliberative, vetted draft. Another commissioner (speaker 3) said elected officials in Lincoln County broadly support Israel and cited a recent state legislative resolution as context for his position. The commission then returned to routine business.
The meeting record shows no formal vote on the substance of the proposed resolution; the procedural motion to adopt it died before a roll call. The chair and several commissioners expressed that the episode should be used as a teachable moment for the commission and the community.
The commission did not adopt any formal disciplinary action at the meeting. The most recent procedural development was the failed motion; no further public timeline or follow‑up tasks were specified on the record at the close of the session.
