Andover Official Resigns Over Profane Tweet About Trump Voters

ANDOVER, MA -- Andover Town Manager said Tuesday that he accepted the resignation of Veterans Services Director Alicia Reddin, who became the center of controversy last week after profane messages sent on Twitter were circulated on social media. Flanagan added that Reddin's resignation was "in the best interest of the town" and went on to criticize a series of posts she made last month.

"The position held by Ms. Reddin requires that she provide direct services to our veterans, including counseling and advice. Anyone holding that position must have the trust of all it serves and unfortunately that is no longer the case," Flanagan said. "It is my hope that the town at large understands the unique duties of this position and that it is my obligation to ensure first and foremost that the person holding the job can effectively perform those vital duties. Any other considerations must be subordinated to that obligation."

Reddin sent the message on Twitter from a personal account. In addition to her work for Andover, Reddin, 32, of Billerica, had run for state representative from Billerica as a Democrat before withdrawing in January.

"Jaded ass people," Reddin posted on July 20. "You caused this. Now: UN-[expletive deleted] YOURSELF and get these slime sucking republican [expletive deleted] out of office!!!!!! REGISTER. VOTE BLUE. REPEAT."

Reddin has not responded to requests for comment. In a follow-up post on Twitter shortly after her original, July 20 tweet, Reddin wrote "In all seriousness - if you or your family are - not registered to vote, did not vote in the Mid-Terms or for a blue candidate For Congress and Senate.... all of this is absolutely your fault. #Tre45on #Fbr #BlueTsunami2018."

"The tone of Ms. Reddin’s intemperate post on social media made it impossible for her to continue to be effective as director," Flanagan said Tuesday.

Reddin has since deleted the tweets and her personal Twitter account. On Friday afternoon, Flanagan said he was "extremely disappointed" and "evaluating the incident."

In June, Reddin received an award for being name the top veteran services officer in Massachusetts. ""Alicia is truly dedicated to ensuring that veterans in our community are connected with the resources they have earned," Flanagan said in a news release announcing the award. "I'm enormously proud of the work she's done, both for veterans in our community and for those throughout the commonwealth through MVSOA, and she is extremely deserving of this honor."

In December, Flanagan adopted a social media policy covering the social media accounts run by the Town of Andover. But Andover does not have a policy covering personal social media use by town employees.

Reddin, a Navy veteran, joined the Town of Andover as its director of veteran services in March after previously working as a veterans service officer in Melrose, Wakefield and Saugus. In January, Reddin withdrew from the race for Billerica's 22nd Middlesex District seat, citing a desire to focus on her new position in Andover. Rep. Marc Lombardo, a Republican, has held the seat since 2010.

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Photo by the Committee to Elect Alicia Reddin.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).