ANDERSON, Ind. — The mayor of Anderson could be pressured to resign this week after he says he unintentionally recorded a Facebook Live video where he can be heard making remarks about council members.
Mayor Tom Broderick says it happened while he was with family on the 4th of July.
In an apology letter addressed to council members, he says his phone was in his pocket and he somehow triggered it to record. About six minutes into the 10-minute recording, Broderick can be heard having a conversation with his son, Evan.
"While digging through the garage for the plywood my son came across an old Herald Bulletin publication displaying the "Best of Madison County," said Broderick. "On the cover was a large picture and headline depicting (councilor) Ty Bibbs, named as bachelor of the year. Ty is also one of the persons who has been in opposition to my efforts."
Broderick goes on to write that he and his son began laughing at the headline. That's when Broderick can be heard saying "Those people are driving me nuts, Evan (expletive). I'll be honest, I've been like so excited about it. I don't have to look at most of them most of the time."
The comments have sparked concern among residents, including councilman Bibbs. He called the mayor's behavior "embarrassing" and "unacceptable."
"I am personally and professionally appalled that behind closed doors, this is how (Mayor) Broderick truly feels about "THOSE PEOPLE" and myself," Bibbs wrote in an email. "He also owes the citizens an explanation as to who he believes "THOSE PEOPLE" are and who he exactly believes the "(expletives)" are. I would hope that "THOSE PEOPLE" are not viewed by (Mayor) Broderick as mere inconveniences that must be endured every 4 years, just before the municipal election."
Broderick says his comments were taken out of context.
"In context, I meant this to mean all of those who had been opposing our efforts recently. I at no point called out or referred to any individual. Additionally, I certainly did not make any inappropriate racial comment. Any suggestion that my remarks were racial in nature is simply not true," Broderick writes.
Council members have called a special meeting Thursday to discuss the matter and to hear directly from the mayor. Council will also discuss the employment status of Evan Broderick, a lawyer contractually employed by the city. He was arrested three times for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Following is the text of an email Broderick sent last week to council members:
Dear Councilors,
Hope this finds you well after your long zoom marathon session. Most of you are probably aware of Facebook postings regarding an unintentional Facebook live broadcast that went out on my account on July 4.
Some of the posts are inaccurately attempting to interpreted my comments. Unfortunately, some are blatant attempts to mischaracterize the content as racial.
Below is a statement I have put our clarifying those remarks and putting them in context.
As noted in these remarks no derogatory statement was made with regards to any of you. You are aware of my concerns and position on the pending ordinance and resolution. I would prefer to work directly with you to resolve any issues rather than draw in those who want to litigate the issue in social media, often with little or no knowledge of the situation. I have shared with you the state law regarding this matter and I am hopeful as you review closer that you will give strong considerations to those legal concerns.
Here is the context of my remarks.
A recent Facebook posting of a partial recording of some comments I was making while engaged in a private conversation at my home on July 4th was made public by me unintentionally during a brief Facebook Live broadcast. Some people have been attempting to interpret the conversation and some have suggested interpretations that are not accurate. In order to clarify and put into context I wanted to share the following:
While at home on July 4 several family members and close friends stopped by the house for a visit and a small cook out. We discussed several topics of the day including all of the events surrounding COVID-19 and the recent concerns around the George Floyd killing. I had explained some of the efforts we had been working on regarding both issues, as well as, some of the frustrations I had been experiencing concerning both. We discussed the current climate we are living in and how much it is exacerbated by social media. I was discussing some of my ongoing attempts to modify our present use of force procedures at the police department, our efforts to ban chokeholds, and our efforts to acquire body cams for our police. I also spoke about some of the opposition that that had been coming from several different individuals for what appears in many instances to be for pure political gain. Being a holiday around family there was also lighthearted discussions and joking around.
At some point I accidently (do not know how) triggered my phone to broadcast live on Facebook. During that recording, when the phone was in my pocket, I went out into by garage to look for a piece of plywood to use for a firework display planned later in the evening. While digging through the garage for the plywood my son came across an old Herald Bulletin publication displaying the “Best of Madison County”. On the cover was a large picture and headline depicting Ty Bibbs (who happens to be now one of our city council members) named as bachelor of the year. Ty is also one of the persons who has been in opposition to my efforts. My son read the headline aloud while I was searching across the room for the wood. We laughed and I then said, “Those people are driving me nuts, (expletive)”. In context, I meant this to mean all of those who had been opposing our efforts recently. I at no point called out or referred to any individual. Additionally, I certainly did not make any inappropriate racial comment. Any suggestion that my remarks were racial in nature is simply not true.
While the conversation was in the privacy of my home and made to an immediate family member with no intent for public dissemination, I accept responsibility for allowing the comments to get out into the viral world. While I stand by being frustrated over what I deem to be very serious and pressing matters, that in my view need to be resolved in a fair and just manner setting politics aside, I do apologize to anyone who was offended by the unintentional release any of the remarks.
If any of you wish to discuss personally, I will be happy to do so.
Respectfully,
Tom
Thomas J. Broderick, Jr.
Mayor, City of Anderson