Hinsdale D86 Official Notes Jan. 6 In Unusual Way

HINSDALE, IL – A Hinsdale High School District 86 board member posted on social media over the weekend about Jan. 6, using American flag icons.

"Never forget January 6th!!!" member Jeff Waters wrote on his personal Facebook page. "A day most of us remember and as Americans, one we should never, ever forget."

But he wasn't talking about Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

He was referring to an event that took place Jan. 6, 1994. That event, which involved figure skaters, also astonished the nation.

"On this date 30 years ago, Tonya Harding went beyond rogue on Nancy Kerrigan, contracting goons to take her out at her knees," Waters wrote.

Waters then referred to the saying, "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

In a text message, Waters explained his Facebook post to Patch.

"My private, non-public, personal Facebook post was intended to be a lighthearted way of poking fun at the hypercharged political climate in which we find ourselves – and doing so with my Friends on social media on my private, non-public personal account," Waters said. "I was not speaking to, joking about, and certainly not diminishing the events of January 6th, 2021. That was definitely not my intention."

Waters said some of his Facebook friends may appreciate his levity, while others may not.

"Fortunately, we all have the benefit to scroll right on by the post," he said. "I do that myself – all of the time. You say tomato, I say aardvark."

Waters continued, "Face to face wins the race. I hope my concerned friend tracks me down. Would love to connect with her in some capacity other than thru an agent of the press."

Other than a handful of items over the years, Waters' Facebook posts are private. That is also the case with Lyons Township High School board member Kari Dillon's page.

Last year, though, Patch found a December 2016 post on Dillon's page in which she supported an effort to overturn Donald Trump's election.

"Not going to accept four years of hate," she wrote.

Here is board member Jeff Waters' entire statement:

My private, non-public, personal Facebook post was intended to be a lighthearted way of poking fun at the hypercharged political climate in which we find ourselves- And doing so with my Friends on social media on my private, non-public personal account.

I was not speaking to, joking about, and certainly not diminishing the events of January 6th, 2021. That was not definitely not my intention.

Some of my Facebook friends may appreciate the levity. Other Facebook friends may not. Fortunately, we all have the benefit to scroll right on by the post. I do that myself – all of the time. You say tomato, I say aardvark.

My private, personal Facebook page is exactly that – private, personal & not public. If any of my Facebook friends were offended, they do have the option to reach out to me and allow me to help them work thru their concerns. And of course they can always unfriend me.

That’s certainly not my goal nor is it my intention. Face to face wins the race. I hope my concerned friend tracks me down. Would love to connect to with her in some capacity other than thru an agent of the press.