Addison City Council votes to keep planning commission member despite anti-Muslim comment

[Karee 4,191]

The Addison City Council voted 4-3 Tuesday against removing a Planning and Zoning Commission member, despite his anti-Muslim comment.

Commission member Tom Hunse made the comment on his LinkedIn page, where he explained why he resigned from Eastern Illinois University’s Board of Advisors.

The comment reads: “I resigned in September 2013 from [the] board upon being made aware EIU had named a Muslim to head the Lumpkin School of Business. After pondering the tragic events over the last couple of decades in this country and the role Islam has played throughout the world, as a Christian and a patriot, I cannot support the university’s decision…”

After learning of the comment Council member Chris DeFrancisco made a motion to remove Hunse.

“Our reputation has now been tainted by the endorsement of Mr. Hunse,” DeFrancisco said in a written argument to the Council.

“Tolerance is encouragement, and we must not tolerate these types of activities from members of our Boards and Commissions,” DeFrancisco said.

Hunse responded with a letter, where he apologized and explained that his resignation from EIU had to do with how the university hired the Muslim man, and not the man’s religious beliefs.

“In this age of cyber-speed we sometimes fail to take the time to completely and accurately express ourselves, and that was certainly the case in this instance,” Hunse said.

He adds, “I hope this single thoughtless act on my part does not diminish a lengthy record of civic contributions and service to Addison, nor irreparably damage my personal and professional relationships in the Muslim community.”

During the meeting both DeFrancisco and Hunse called several citizens of Addison as witnesses for their arguments.

Witness Ralph Doherty said, “Mr. Hunse will be forever associated with these remarks. Neither he nor you can change that.”

John Oliver, another witness in favor of Hunse’s removal said, “this is going to be a giant step toward who and what the town of Addison is. Are we a town of bigotry?”

Hunse called his friend Mark Hood as one of his witnesses. “In the 15 years I’ve know Tom I have not seen him act with anything other than kindness toward others,” Hood said.

Chuck Chamberlain, an army veteran and old business partner of Hunse’s said, “in every cases he always functioned with me with honesty and integrity. I’ve also dealt with him in social environments and never once have I seen what he’s been accused of.”

Hunse ended his argument by making a statement to the Council and the public.

“Let me say again, I regret those inappropriate comments,” he said. “I made a mistake, but the lapse of judgment doesn’t define who I am in my past, present and future.”

The vote was 4-3, with four in favor of keeping Hunse in his position and three in favor of removing him.

The four votes for Hunse to stay on the Commission were cast by Mary Carpenter, Blake Clemens, David Heape and Janelle Moore. The three votes for Hunse’s removal were cast by Chris DeFrancisco, Bruce Arfsten and Mayor Todd Meier.

However the Council did put Hunse on notice, stating that any violation of their code will be dealt with harshly.

“There will be no other second chances,” Meier warned Hunse.

Source: http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2014/06/addison-city-council-votes-to-keep-commission-member-despite-anti-muslim-comment.html/

Another one with foot in mouth disease in the DFW area. That's two in one week.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Not really surprised. We are talking about Texas here, right? The one state that can compete with and outdo Floriduh.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Not really surprised. We are talking about Texas here, right? The one state that can compete with and outdo Floriduh.

Uh oh. You know we aren't allowed to impugn the honour of Texas.

[Darnell 8,479]

there's a ton o Muslims and Mosques in the DFW area - Addison is just one of those towns created out of suburbia and I am really surprised that 'the whistleblower' even bothered.