Two weeks ago, the Spy took note of Easton Town Council President Frank Gunsallus’s proposal to forbid the use of town funds to support organizations or causes he considered ideological.
Last night, there was a significant follow-up to the Gunsallus proposal and his intentions regarding such a legislative act. With a packed meeting chamber, the Town Council heard from many residents who took issue with the council president’s comments from the May meeting and his example of the use of town banners displaying the LGBTQ pride flag. Other community members supported the measure. In addition, council members took turns expressing their responses to those who spoke.
Community Voices
Easton Town Councilmembers response
These video segments are 24 minutes and 13 minutes in length
Kevin Thomas says
I found it extremely sarcastic how Frank Gunsallus apologized that the entire town doesn’t understand him. What a disgustingly passive-aggressive way to tell the citizens that he doesn’t care that you heard his tirade with your own ears and came to the accurate conclusion that he has a deep-seated hatred for the LGBTQ community.
Not to be outshined, was David Montgomery, who decided to compete in the Intolerance Olympics by going on an “old man shaking his fist and yelling at a cloud” rant, which rightfully, was met with a chorus of boos and groans.
Their argument? To paraphrase, “we were only talking about budget”. Yeah, right. Talking about how LGBTQ people are “antithetical” to our country and “socialist” isn’t talking about tax dollars. Not the same thing; not even the same ballpark.
These two are an embarrassment to the Town of Easton. If this isn’t cause for a recall election, nothing is.
Leslie Hamburger says
Exactly!! Thumbs up and applause to you, Kevin!
Rodney Tong says
The fact that Montgomery, with his Harvard PhD, didn’t find anything offensive from the Gansallus comment, has shown us how he feels about the LGBTQ community, let alone his long winded rant on transexuals.
Connie Lauffer says
Having watched the video of the Easton Town Council meeting of the 20th of May and attending last night’s meeting, I was saddened at the insensitive comments of some of the Council members relating to support or not of the LGBTQIA+ community. But of almost equal concern is that they couched their objections behind the curtain of fiscal responsibility. How weak, naïve and uninformed!
They obviously are unaware or have given no thought to the fact that government at all levels from the federal government, through the states and through local government, frequently and openly support what we might call “special interests”.
While the motivations may be questioned, recognition of that level of free choice among elected people cannot be ignored.
We may agree or not agree with the choices, but let’s be clear that we consciously give tax breaks to the rich, help environmental groups with grants and seed money to help to protect our increasingly delicate environment, give favored status to religious groups, show support for affordable housing, help scientists with research grants etc, etc. And on and on….
What we don’t or shouldn’t support is meanness, nastiness, and the targeting of particular groups whose circumstances we don’t understand and have not experienced.
We are a community; of many colors, of old and young, many religions, a variety of ethnicities, and of personal life path preferences… … should we not find it in our hearts too embrace one another, show care for one another and lend a helping hand if not with financial support at least with kind words?
We are fortunate to live in a community with such diversity. It is the face of America! We are the face of America! It is beautiful, stimulating and interesting. Can we not embrace and support it all?
Michael Davis says
In the simplest terms, an ideology is any system of beliefs and values. Democracy is an ideology. The American Flag constitutes a symbol of an ideology. If Councilman Gunsallus were consistent, then he would be in favor of banning the American Flag. Flying the America Flag puts the town in the position of supporting people feeling good about being Americans. As he notes, that is not the business of Easton.
But, I would guess that he and his followers are only interested in ensuring LGBTQ people don’t feel welcomed by Easton. While it may be OK for the town to make Americans feel good about themselves for being Americans, it is NOT okay for the town to promoste a subset of Amercicans he objects to feeling good about themselves. That is homophobic bigotry.
Rodney Tong says
By using the term “ideology” to not support gay pride flags, the town should not be putting up Christmas decorations, as they support the ideology of a particular religion.
Rhonda Ford says
Exactly
Maureen Ryan Fogarty says
Disappointed in Frank. He could use better advisors. I see a lot of hypocrisy here. He has leveraged a lot of community good will to help his own ideological cause, helping the Ukrainian effort. I hope he realizes the irony here. He counts on others who may not share his passion or view about the Ukraine and we help as much as we can, then he wants to stop another cause.
He needs to relax and go back to civics class. A democracy means a balance of interests, not just the ones he thinks are worthy.
He seems to be masking his true intentions and values behind a “budget” excuse. Man up and show us who you really are and don’t worry – we are seeing it regardless. You are giving future voters a lot to think about for the next election. It will be here before you know it.
Bob Kopec says
Remember the comments Gunsalus & Montgomery made at election time and cast your vote accordingly.
Gavin Dean says
What’s alarming is that not only do these two council members have their bigoted views publicly expressed in their capacity as elected officials, but their views permeate through the associations they align themselves with.
Mr. Gunsallus has been heavily promoted by Easton Rotary. The problem is that Mr. Gunsallus is, using his own word, “antithetical” to Rotary’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy at Rotary.org.
Their policy states, “At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change. We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values and beliefs.”
Exactly how does Mr. Gunsallus’ personal hatred of the LGBTQ+ community align with Easton Rotary’s values? They don’t. It’s radically incongruent.
Certainly, Easton Rotary can’t in good faith, knowingly embrace intolerant, bigoted members that are the direct antithesis to their policy regarding inclusion. It’s sending a contradictory message demonstrating that Rotary says one thing, but does another. It sets a bad precedent and certainly doesn’t help with recruiting new members.
And for an allegedly educated man, David Montgomery comes across as ignorant and crochety. From falsely alleging nudity at the Easton Pride parade to justify his no vote for a permit to complaining about tree planting on private land that’s not his, to pretending to be a quasi-subject matter expert on LGBTQ+ medical situations, I sincerely wonder if he’s having cognitive issues. If so, someone needs to be compassionate and get him the help that he needs.
I agree with the other comments. It’s way past time for both of them to go.
Clara Kelly says
Deja vu regarding Messrs. Gunsallus and Montgomery expressing their opinions and concerns about LGBTQ events in Easton. Go to the .gov Town website, January 16, 2024 meeting, and scroll to 1:18:25 to view the recorded virtual discussion of the agenda item “Public Assembly Event: Delmarva Pride Festival, 06/15/24.” It concludes around 2:02:13. There was no mention of fiscal responsibility, budget, or stewardship of tax dollars in conjunction with the expense for parade route road closures. The town manager said the Easton Police Department (EPD) estimated $910 for using police vehicles/barricades to block off the streets and that EPD’s recommendation was to approve Delmarva’s application.