麻豆精选 city councillor apologizes for 鈥榠nappropriate comment鈥� made at public hearing

A 麻豆精选 city councillor is apologizing for a comment he made during a Nov. 15 public hearing.

During a discussion about a 19-storey apartment tower planned for Bertram Street, it was brought up that the building would have bike storage on an upper floor, off of the main level, in an effort to deter theft.

鈥淚f I wasn鈥檛 a wise, veteran councillor I鈥檇 suggest that the solution to the bike theft in our apartments is a machine gun nest,鈥� Charlie Hodge said at the meeting. 鈥淚 won鈥檛 go there because I鈥檓 a wise, veteran councillor.鈥�

Laughter was heard immediately after Hodge鈥檚 comment, but it was unclear who it came from.

The apology, however, came almost two weeks later when Hodge announced at Monday鈥檚 (Nov. 28) council meeting he would be speaking at a Nov.29 public hearing.

Tuesday evening, the veteran councillor did make a specific apology for the comments he made at the Nov. 15 public hearing.

鈥淒uring the last public hearing I made an inappropriate comment regarding bicycle theft that I regret and that I apologize for,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his was an off-the-cuff comment that I realize now was a mistake and I take full responsibility. Again I apologize to the public and to my council colleagues. I apologize. I鈥檓 sorry.鈥�

Mayor Tom Dyas thanked Hodge for the apology and adjourned the meeting.

Hodge garnered 11,374 votes during the 2022 municipal election just 156 votes more than Maxine DeHart, the eighth city councillor to be elected.

READ MORE: City of 麻豆精选 seeks to steer youth away from 鈥榞ang life鈥�

@GaryBarnes109
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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