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Council responds after public comment criticizing PrideFest and questions dispensary count
Summary
An unnamed public commenter criticized PrideFest on religious grounds and raised concerns about city cannabis dispensaries; Councilmembers and Mayor Nick Shelton replied, with Councilmember Jessica Nelson urging residents to 'give hate no power.'
An unnamed man told the Niles City Council he opposed PrideFest on biblical grounds and questioned the number of cannabis dispensaries operating in the city. Mayor Nick Shelton told the speaker the city has four dispensaries and encouraged further engagement on factual points.
Councilmember Jessica Nelson, who identified herself as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, directly addressed the remarks during council reports. Nelson said, "the beauty of America is its diversity," and urged neighbors and citizens to "give hate no power." Councilmember Michael Thompson clarified that his vote against allocating city funds to PrideFest reflected fiscal concerns, not religious objections. The council's responses framed the exchange as a mix of citizen opinion and council affirmation of inclusivity.
