A comment posted to Facebook by Orange Board of Education member Christian Young has some people crying foul.
In a closed group for parents of Turkey Hill School students, Young posted a comment calling to tar and feather the “wench.” The discussion concerned a woman complaining about Turkey Hill School’s Father’s Club.
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A post questioning the dissolution of organizations behind closed doors called the woman in question a “misguided and apparently vengeful mother” who “started this train wreck.”
Young responded to that post with “tar & feathers for the wench!”
At the March 21 Board of Education meeting, former board member Jody Dietch read the following statement:
“I am here tonight because I was disturbed by the public comments made by one of the Orange BOE members on a Facebook post recently. While I realize it was a few weeks ago, I think it is significant enough to deserve special notice.
The comments made were not only sexist and disrespectful, but totally unbecoming to a public official. This is exactly what hurts the image of elected officials. When politicians stoop to such behavior it impacts all who are elected to public office. Furthermore, it casts a bad image on the entire board and gives every elected official a black eye. The use of labels such as wench are totally inappropriate in any arena, but particularly bad when it comes from an elected official.
I was proud to be a part of this board for 8 years and it is important to maintain its integrity and respect in the community. Remarks such as these are a black eye on this board and all it represents.
This behavior, if left unchecked, becomes a virus that infects all public servants. This is part of the reason people don’t vote, don’t run for office and don’t get involved. This cannot and must not happen again. I hope the board has addressed this incident and sends a strong message that all Board of Ed members are accountable for their remarks; thoughtless and irresponsible comments on the Internet live forever. We teach our children this and elected officials should not be above this.”
Dietch is expected to be voted as the chair of the Orange Democratic Town Committee on Tuesday, March 22. She previously served on the board of education as vice-chair.
Young had no comment regarding his post.
While Young was being asked about the post, during a recess of the board of education meeting, Board of Education Chair William Kraut intervened and said any comments needed to come the chair. He had no comment about why Young made the Facebook post. He then told Young not to worry about it.
Editor’s Note: The Orange Times was sent a screen shot of the conversation. As it was from a closed, non-public group, we have chosen to redact the names and avatars of the conversation members other than Young.