Residents tell McMinnville board Park Theater volunteers asked patrons to remove Trump-branded hats; manager cites nonpartisan volunteer policy

At a McMinnville board session, multiple residents and board members described incidents at the Park Theater in which volunteers or staff asked patrons to remove political headwear. The complaints named a volunteer pastor (recorded in the transcript with inconsistent spelling) and said Judge Ryan Moore and other patrons were told to remove Trump-branded hats on entry and were offended.

A councilmember described that the pastor was volunteering and was asked to remove his hat; the board heard at least five separate complaints that were to be forwarded to the alderman for follow-up. One speaker said, "I was highly offended," and described Judge Moore as "hopping up and down mad" after the encounter.

Park Theater management responded that on one occasion an assistant manager, concerned that a volunteer was representing the theater, politely asked the volunteer to remove the hat and then provided a volunteer badge. The manager framed the request as an effort to maintain a nonpartisan appearance while volunteers work: "we were trying to, you know, represent nonpartisan manner." The manager said the staff did not intend to restrict free speech and offered to follow up with affected patrons directly.

Board members urged the theater to address the complaints and suggested an apology or direct outreach to Judge Moore. Management said it would reach out and encouraged complainants to send any letters or details directly to the manager for review.

No formal discipline, policy change, or vote was recorded during the meeting; the board asked staff to look into the complaints and to report back.