Councilor Comment Draws Scrutiny

At the Town Council meeting on April 5, some residents called for the resignation of Councilor Barbara Flockhart, citing a public comment she made during the town manager interviews on March 31.

While questioning an Italian-American candidate, the councilwoman referenced a stereotype of Italians. Some in the room chuckled, and the candidate appeared to take the comment in good humor.

However, several people spoke out about the comment at the following council meeting, with some even calling for Flockhart’s resignation.

One resident said he found the comment “insulting and racist.” Others described feeling “deeply disturbed,” “shocked” and “uncomfortable.”

The councilwoman read an apology letter. But for some, the apology was too little, too late.

Flockhart said she had no plans to resign. Councilor Joseph Aiello, an Italian-American, said he accepted his colleague’s apology and supported her remaining on the council.

“I come from the school that those of us without sin should cast the first stone,” he told the Transcript.

He added that most of the constituents he talked to about the incident accepted Flockhart’s apology. However, he acknowledged the harm of stereotypes, saying, “We must all do better.”

The matter was put on the agenda for the April 13 meeting of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission.