BG Independent Media reports that, at the LWV’s candidate forum on October 6, 2019, 4th Ward incumbent Bill Herald charged certain unnamed citizens with purveying “a distortion of facts…on social media.” He stated that, “such campaign tactics are common at national levels, but until now council races have been civil. I humbly ask that we reject this cancer’…”
Since I have posted on Facebook about Mr. Herald’s past positions, I have reason to suspect he was referencing me. He appears to consider my posts uncivil, although I have engaged in zero name-calling or profanity. Nor have I used the name of a disease to describe activities of fellow BG residents.
Nonetheless, I did quote the Sentinel-Tribune of 10/5/10 to demonstrate that “William Herald made the request… [of] Bowling Green City Council … to withdraw their support of one of two non-discrimination ordinances.”
Mr. Herald now describes his role as an impartial advocate who critiqued the wording and showed council how “to do better.” But the above article states that Mr. Herald opposed the ordinance that protects LGBTQ+ persons from job discrimination. He insisted that an existing exemption for religious institutions was not sufficient. A special, explicit carve-out was needed to broaden this exemption. Herald went so far as to tell council that, “If the ordinance passes… [Herald’s own congregation may] be forced to seriously consider [a] move out of Bowling Green.”
Moreover, BG City Council minutes attest that several members assured Mr. Herald his congregation was meant to be protected from liability under the ordinance. Some felt that Herald was purposely sowing confusion among the voting public ahead of referendums to uphold non-discrimination policies.
Was Herald’s advocacy for a special exemption intended to undercut the people’s vote on such an important issue?
With his charges of uncivil, cancerous distortions, Mr. Herald seeks to rope the public into a conspiracy of silence under which any mention of inconvenient events is held off-limits. What becomes of accountability if we accept this definition of civil discourse? Shouldn’t those who enter public service be ready to face questions about their record?
If a past position now becomes a matter of regret, step up and apologize. Attempting to blur facts is a dishonest tactic. Saying so, is certainly NOT a cancer of any sort.
Anesa Miller
Bowling Green
