Troy Mayor does it again...

While I firmly believe in the First Amendment and am thankful we have it, I believe many people have forgotten for what the Bill of Rights was initially intended and designed. It was created to protect the citizens from the Government and to allow them to speak out against the Government without fear of retribution. However, in today’s world, many people think it can be used for or against anything.

Recently, Janice Daniels, the Mayor of Troy, was criticized for comments she made on Facebook in June - before she was even elected as the Mayor. Her initial comments were along the lines of tossing out her “I Love NY” tote bag because “queers” can get married there. She has been very open about the fact that she believes marriage is between a man and a woman, and has never apologized for her remarks. While I believe she should be allowed to make whatever comments she wants and have any beliefs she wants, as an elected public official she needs to be more aware of when, where, and how she says certain things. Public officials, especially elected ones, are usually held to a higher standard.

Now all of the turmoil from her tote bag comment had pretty much simmered down and been put on the back burner, until this week. Mayor Daniels met with a group of students who are advocates for gay students at Troy High School. The group was set to plan a forum on bullying and tolerance, and the Mayor was assisting in the organizing of the event. Students who were present at the meeting have said the Mayor suggested bringing in a panel of psychologists to discuss and testify that homosexuality is a mental disease.

Again, I want to stress, while I believe she has the right to her own opinions, she should keep them private amongst family and close friends. I certainly don’t feel it is appropriate to tell a bunch of people at a forum on bullying that being gay is a mental disease. Kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it? In the best interests of the community, I think it would be appropriate for Mayor Daniels to resign.