The Spy thought two items at last night’s Easton Town Council meeting were interesting enough to share with our readers. The first was a proposal to transition the current EV Charging Station on Brewers Lane into a contract with a private contractor. Those using the new system would pay for recharging their EV cars with a projected modest income for the town. The council asked for more data before making a decision. We found this interesting since we had noted the controversy surrounding the free charging stations (now turned off) six months ago.
The other item was a proposal by Town Council President Frank Gunsallus to forbid the use of town funds to support or organizations or causes he considered ideological in nature.He gave the example of banners that recently displayed new LGBTQ pride flags.
George Cohan says
Why does Frank Gunsallus hate gay people so much? He voted no on the Pride parade and now wants “ideological” things banned, citing the Pride flag, claiming that gay people are “antithetical” to the country. When he ran, he touted his support for gay people. Apparently, that was a lie. He duped Easton by saying everything people wanted to hear, then did the opposite. We’ll remember this when he runs for re-election.
Jim Franke says
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/opinion/sunday/homophobic-maybe-youre-gay.html?_r=0
Holly Wright says
Regardless of what ugly and primitive corner of the American psyche Frank Gunsallus’s comments come from, is it possible that he is unaware of how fragile a tourist economy is to image and boycott. We recently removed the last confederate statue on public property in Maryland. Does he wish to promote Easton as a place where hate is welcome, He, the town council, the Mayor and the business community should reflect on the consequences of such public statements and leadership mean for the future prospects of Easton’s and Talbot County’s economy.
Dennis Smith says
It amazes me how narrow minded persons such as Frank Gunsallus find their way into elected office. So far his approach leaves much to be desired remind me to vote him out at the earliest opportunity. I guess it will be ok to fund activities that fit his “ideologies” even if we the electorate disagree.it seems to me he is more suited for electoral positions further south.
Alexa Seip says
So if LGQTB isn’t supported, what about June Teenth, St. Patricks Day, Multicultural Festival? Is easton exempt from DEIJ? Do we risk state and federal grants because we are not inclusive? Do we want our town to be “judgemental” on what is or is not ‘American” values? This smacks of racism and bigotry.
Tim Slagle says
It seems clear from his comments that Town Council President Frank Gunsallus is not against supporting ideological causes, he is just against LGBTQ+ people. He says the Pride flag is “antithetical to America, our principals, and our constitution, and is a socialist endeavor.” Although his political analysis doesn’t make much sense, the anti-LGBTQ+ bias is clear.
He also says “We should stick to promoting town events” but I guess that means only events that align with his own ideological and religious convictions – last year’s Easton Pride celebration shouldn’t count.
Citizens of Easton who are LGBTQ+ have as much right to celebrate their identities as Catholics or duck hunters do. People are entitled to their own moral and religious beliefs, but shouldn’t be serving as public officials if they can’t overcome their own prejudices and uphold their constituents’ rights according to the laws of the land.
With his comments at this public meeting Mr. Gunsallus is really showing the Town of Easton who he is – an anti-LGBTQ+ bigot who should have no role in government.
Alison Sanford says
The first time he ran for town council, he lost. Then he won “the race of the losers”, and became Town Council President. He showed us who he was before the election, but too few listened. Instead, many celebrated that he was “independent”. Now everyone knows who he is. He is Proud-Boy curious (yes, I have photo evidence) and anti – LGBTQ. We WILL vote him out.
Jim Davis says
* Environmentalism
* Women’s Rights Feminism
* Conservatism
* Fundamentalism
June is Pride month in the LGBTQ community so the article does not mention
Why the so called banners are even being printed.
You don’t have to agree with a Pride month, a Black History month, Spanish heritage month, Asian Heritage Month, Women’s History month. If you don’t want to we all have are likes and dislikes.
Gunsallus there is a lot to consider when you try to forbid use of Taxpayers funds .
1) The funds don’t belong to You .
2) You should focus and put your energy into the number of business that have left Easton’s downtown historic district and how to revitalize what seems to be vacant store fronts loss of business. Instead of telling people what you consider and don’t consider to be ideological cause you sound like an idiot focused on non issues.
As a member of Council you should always remember it’s not always about Frank.
If you can achieve this you should set up an advisory board to help better with issues like this so that all points of view are considered and not just Frank’s
Carol Voyles says
We have a right to our own opinions, of course. We also have choice in all matters that are not government business. Our Town Council also has plenty to do (like providing electrical vehicle charging stations in a timely manner) without taking on such a controversial role as to withhold support of certain organizations.
Let’s be practical. This would be slippery slope, and there are private venues for such efforts.
Marty Sparks says
Civility ? Frank this is a Town not your Dinner Table.
Sharon Harrington says
I am disheartened. I voted for Frank because I believed the town needed fresh guidance. I guess a more seasoned person would have kept those divisive thoughts to them selves,however I am glad that he spoke his truth so I know where my vote won’t go next time.
Glenn Johnson says
The next town council meeting is Tuesday, June 4. I would suggest that someone ask Frank Gunsallus for a public apology for his comments at the last meeting regarding the LGBTQIA+ community. The citizens deserve that, at the very least. He has successfully announced through his commentary at the last meeting that he will not represent everybody in Easton, and that’s terrible. Further, I’d like to know what the mayor thinks of these comments. We should know her position on this, too.
Everybody who is against hate and discrimination should attend the town council meeting on June 4th. We need to pack town hall.