Norwich Township is moving its next council meeting to a larger location as it braces for a crowd in the fallout of an anti-LGBTQ rant that has many angry at local government.
After more than 100 people showed up last month, Norwich Township is changing the venue for this week’s council meeting to Oxford Center Hall “out of an abundance of caution,” its top administrator said in an email. The hall can accommodate up to 175 people.
“We were concerned about the capacity in our council chambers,” said Mayor Larry Martin, who doubles as warden of Oxford County.
Six people are registered to provide citizen delegations at the Tuesday meeting, he said, adding that number is “quite unusual.”
The time also has been pushed back 30 minutes, from 9 am to 9:30 am, to ensure everyone can reach the venue.
Council, particularly Martin, has come under fire for not curtailing a 30-minute citizen delegation at the June 21 meeting from a man charged with stealing local rainbow banners, symbols of LGBTQ rights. Jake Dey, of Tillsonburg, who is charged with theft valued at less than $5,000, was given 10 minutes to address the meeting but spoke for nearly half an hour, at one point comparing Pride to Nazis.
Members of a grassroots citizen group calling for Martin’s resignation also plan to address council Tuesday.
“The expectation (at the meeting) is based on our letters to the mayor and council that a public apology and action be taken by all of the council to circumvent this from happening again,” Brian Kennedy, president of Norwich Residents for Love and Acceptance , wrote in an email.
“And although unlikely,” he added, “the mayor’s resignation for his part in what occurred at the last council meeting.”
Martin previously has said he won’t step down, though he has considered such calls. The next municipal election is slated for October.
Asked on Thursday if he plans to comment on what transpired at the last council debate, Martin did not provide a direct answer, saying his focus is on the upcoming meeting. “As far as I am concerned,” he said, “the last meeting was the last meeting, and this is the next meeting. We will have to deal with things as they come forward.”
And if someone were to make offensive comments again? “Hopefully, that won’t happen. If similar comments were made (that person) would be asked to stop.”
In addition to the three Norwich Residents for Love and Acceptance group members, council will hear from three other people, including a youth member of the LGBTQ community and a resident, about the “impact of the removal of the pride banners on family and community, “a letter to council reads.
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