Ellington Official Reprimanded, Will Take Diversity Training

ELLINGTON, CT — First Selectman Lori Spielman was issued an official reprimand at a 6-minute special meeting of the Board of Selectmen Wednesday evening, and has been directed to partake in 40 hours of diversity training in response to backlash from a recent post she made on her personal Facebook page which many people construed as being racially insensitive.

In addition to the disciplinary action, a motion was made and approved to add the establishment of an ad hoc committee on diversity to the next regular meeting agenda.

Spielman made the following statement prior to the meeting's adjournment:

"I truly want to apologize to all of you for this unfortunate firestorm that was created by my Facebook post. As I said, it was not my intention to hurt anyone in Ellington or anywhere. I accept what I did has caused some people concern and anger, and therefore I am truly sorry. I will take diversity training very seriously and I will learn from it to avoid such happenings moving forward. Again, I am very sorry, and I will do everything in my power to bring the Ellington community together. Once again, I am very sorry. If I clould take it all back, I would have never done it. Thank you."

At a rally last Friday in Arbor Park, a number of activists called for Spielman to resign.

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