Dudley highway superintendent uses slur on Facebook
By
Debbie LaPlaca
Correspondent
Posted Aug 15, 2017 at 7:58 PM
Updated at 5:58 AM
DUDLEY – The town highway superintendent may face disciplinary action for a racist comment he posted to Facebook.
During a broadcasted CNN debate Monday morning about the weekend’s violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, former state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli asked political commentator Symone Sanders to “shut up.”
Ms. Sanders had interrupted his many attempts to respond to her accusations when he said, “Will you just shut up for a minute and let me finish?”
That night, Highway Superintendent Daniel W. Gion was among many who posted comments to the network’s Facebook page about the nationally televised exchange.
Mr. Gion’s posted comment – “Stupid porch monkey!!” – found its way to the town of Dudley’s Facebook page Tuesday morning with a message that he should be fired.
Destiny Grardner posted a collage of screenshots to the town’s Facebook page that included the CNN debate and Mr. Gion’s comment. The post was gone from the town’s account by Tuesday afternoon.
An effort to contact Ms. Grardner was unsuccessful.
In an interview, Mr. Gion said his comment has nothing to do with the town.
“It was my own personal time and my own personal Facebook page,” he said. “It was a stupid thing to do. I’m not a racist or anything like that, but it was in the heat of the moment.”
Mr. Gion said it was about 9:30 p.m. Monday when the Facebook fight
broke out on CNN’s Facebook page with several exchanges between himself
and Ms. Grardner.
“There were a lot of things a lot worse than that said. I don’t really feel that way but you try to get people ticked off and a lot of us went back and forth,” he said. “She (Destiny) said she was going to get me fired. She must have done some research on me.”
“This issue is not going to be swept under the carpet,” Town Administrator Greg L. Balukonis said Tuesday evening.
“There is no place in Dudley for racially inflammatory comments. I spoke with Dan and I told him how upsetting it was to see the words he used,” he said. “This is not a reflection on the town of Dudley, its residents, or its public officials, who are decent and honorable individuals.”
Mr. Balukonis said he would investigate Mr. Gion’s conduct and make a recommendation to selectmen, who will decide whether there are any appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken.
During a broadcasted CNN debate Monday morning about the weekend’s violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, former state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli asked political commentator Symone Sanders to “shut up.”
Ms. Sanders had interrupted his many attempts to respond to her accusations when he said, “Will you just shut up for a minute and let me finish?”
That night, Highway Superintendent Daniel W. Gion was among many who posted comments to the network’s Facebook page about the nationally televised exchange.
Mr. Gion’s posted comment – “Stupid porch monkey!!” – found its way to the town of Dudley’s Facebook page Tuesday morning with a message that he should be fired.
Destiny Grardner posted a collage of screenshots to the town’s Facebook page that included the CNN debate and Mr. Gion’s comment. The post was gone from the town’s account by Tuesday afternoon.
An effort to contact Ms. Grardner was unsuccessful.
In an interview, Mr. Gion said his comment has nothing to do with the town.
“It was my own personal time and my own personal Facebook page,” he said. “It was a stupid thing to do. I’m not a racist or anything like that, but it was in the heat of the moment.”
“There were a lot of things a lot worse than that said. I don’t really feel that way but you try to get people ticked off and a lot of us went back and forth,” he said. “She (Destiny) said she was going to get me fired. She must have done some research on me.”
“This issue is not going to be swept under the carpet,” Town Administrator Greg L. Balukonis said Tuesday evening.
“There is no place in Dudley for racially inflammatory comments. I spoke with Dan and I told him how upsetting it was to see the words he used,” he said. “This is not a reflection on the town of Dudley, its residents, or its public officials, who are decent and honorable individuals.”
Mr. Balukonis said he would investigate Mr. Gion’s conduct and make a recommendation to selectmen, who will decide whether there are any appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken.
This will be interesting to see how this all works out. One question would be, who put this information on the town's Facebook page ? I doubt that this man did it. I also feel this comment was nothing anyone should say, but he does have the right to free speech. I understand Templton's BOS, has decided to drop the witch hunt after some of the A.C. Members. How thoughtful of them, after they dragged our names through the mud, (our worse) ! How much do you want to bet they did not a single leg to stand on ? I know I did nothing wrong. In my opinion, this was a distraction from the financial mess the next budget will be, due to the fact the BOS did not plan ahead, not in the least, for the storm the town is going to face. If they did not see it coming, it is because they are truly lost in space. My opinion, Bev.
ReplyDeleteWatch the meeting and see for yourself why they felt no pursuit was needed.
ReplyDeletePosted comments like that one can change their mind Bev.
Can't wait to see if they approve of the booklet the AC comes up with,if they do.
What is the problem Dave ? You don't think the taxpayers in this town deserve to know what will be on the town meeting warrant, ahead of time. Maybe with enough time to think about how these questions or articles will affect them in the future ? What makes you think that the A.C. needs approval from the BOS to put out information ? I do believe that is the job of the Finance Committee/Advisory Committee. Thank you for your support. My opinion, Bev.
DeleteThe warrant has been provided in the past as required by law?
ReplyDeleteThe problem is the rogue AC members who will only do more harm than good.
I hope you finally get the information out but as told at the meeting monday the calendar has a small window of opportunity for the approval and cost for the distribution. A simple page on the towns new web site could be used at a no or low cost to the taxpayers. Instead of increasing the costs for town's business it could be reduced.
I find it hard to support those who only ever talk talk and forget to do the walk.
Like all things Templeton try to get the approval of the ELECTED who are responsible for the outcome. Thanks for all you do Bev.
I hope Wil is doing better.