The town of West Boylston, Massachusetts, voted to fire Town Administrator James Ryan following a dispute over a Trump flag hanging in the police station. (Google Maps)
The dispute allegedly began when Ryan toured the police station in January and viewed a Trump flag hanging in its gymnasium. At the time, Ryan claimed the flag was a civil rights violation, according to a statement.
Police Chief Dennis W. Minnich, Sr., removed the flag but alleges that Ryan later had a town employee sneak into the police station after hours to verify the flag was removed. According to him, at that time a new flag was then hanging, but has since been taken down.
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A closed-door Zoom meeting resulted in a 4-1 vote to remove Town Administrator James Ryan.
Ryan’s attorney, John Clifford, said in a statement that his client was "disappointed" with the select board’s decision.
"James acknowledges that he could have handled the situation differently, but his insistence that there be no political signs in a public building was completely justified," the statement read. "In tonight’s meeting, James expressed his sincere regret that he had any role in what became an embarrassment and distraction for the entire town. While he knows he may have made some mistakes as a very new town administrator, he is not responsible for the controversy that has ensued."
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Clifford released a statement on Ryan's behalf which read, in part:
"James will be reviewing his options with respect to litigating his termination, but he would like to make it clear that he has no ill feelings toward town employees, volunteer officials, or the citizens of West Boylston. He remains grateful for the short opportunity to serve in West Boylston and wishes the town the best of luck in the future."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/massachusetts-select-board-removes-town-administrator-controversy-trump-flag