(25 News)-It was a spirited public comment session at the board meeting in Tazewell County on Wednesday as citizens addressed the board, concerned about comments made via social media by board member Jay Hall.
The comment on Facebook was attached to a Fox News post addressing climate activist Greta Thunberg from Sweden.
“It went around on Facebook I was like are you serious? Because that’s not something I think someone on a board, let alone in any sort of power should be saying online about anyone,” said Pekin resident Kaelynn Bright.
In the post Hall said “She looks like she has mongoloid-ism…down syndrome.”
Thunberg has openly talked about having a different condition, Asperger’s Syndrome.
Everyone who spoke at public comment addressed the post. One teacher who works with special needs kids called Hall’s comment bigoted.
“An elected public official, the heir to a successful local business, and the president of the local AMBUCS no less, punching down on a child with special needs from behind his key board,” said Seth Fredrich.
AMBUCS is a non-profit that works with people who have special needs, this was especially concerning to Tazewell County residents who have children with those needs.
“He doesn’t recognize people with down syndrome as having the ability for proper self expression, for self determination, for having legitimate opinions, thoughts, beliefs,” said Charlie, a concerned resident.
Those who spoke at public comment along with two board members, Joe Wolfe and Brandon Hovey called for formal apologies and his resignation.
“I do not think he felt guilty for what he did. I believe he felt guilty for being caught. Screen shots were made, these comments are set in stone. They are matters of public record. I believe a request for a letter of resignation is warranted,” Hovey said.
County Board Chairman David Zimmerman said this is a lesson to everyone that social media is forever.
“Jay made some inappropriate and disappointing comments. They’re unlike Jay, Jay has been a solid board member and it’s unfortunate. The people that spoke were very earnest, very passionate and they communicated very clearly their disgust in his comments,” Zimmerman said.
Board Chairman Zimmerman said that Hall had already planned not to attend the meeting Wednesday evening because of prior plans and considered attending after the comment came to light, but in the end decided not to attend.
25 News reached out to Hall after the meeting and he initially agreed to speak. He ultimately declined an interview. But via text Hall said. “All I can say is I’m extremely sorry that my choice of words was offensive. Not my intention at all.”
