Julian Stolz Twitter Story Gets 240+ Comments

Controversy over Tweets by East Penn school board member Julian Stolz—and a father's demand for his resignation—are generating a firestorm of comments on Patch.

More than 240 comments by Patch users and Stolz himself were posted as of Sunday afternoon. Stolz told Patch he plans to post a YouTube video on Tuesday responding to the controversy.

Stolz is running for both mayor of Emmaus and Emmaus borough council.

A poll posted on Patch—Is an apology enough from Stolz?—has added another 120-plus comments.

The debate began Monday night when parent Lou Schuler addressed the school board about posts regarding public education that Stolz recently made on Twitter.

Stolz’s exchange occurred March 8 with Todd Kincannon, the former South Carolina GOP executive director whose series of what Huffington Post calls “racially charged tweets” during the Super Bowl “created an uproar.”

Schuler read a Kincannon tweet and Stolz’s response:

Kincannon: “There is nothing more brain rotting than public schools. God I pity the proletariat for having to send their inferior crotchfruit to them.”

Stolz: “@ToddKincannon as a School Board director, I wish I could disagree. As a sentient being, I cannot.”

Schuler, who has two children in East Penn schools, demanded Stolz resign.

“I don’t agree with Kincannon’s language,” Stolz said, but explained that he often agrees with Kincannon’s views. “There are many problems with public schools. East Penn School District is an exception…and I look forward to continuing to uphold the excellent reputation of this district."

The 200-plus comments posted on Patch's story include:

• Residents agreeing that Stolz should resign and some defending him
• Replies from Stolz
• Criticism of the school district's teachers union contract
• Criticism of Tweets by East Penn Education Association President Sue Arnold

The rambling discussion includes comments about and by Stolz regarding his schooling, jobs and even his SAT score. Other topics range from property taxes and school choice to U.S. foreign policy.

A person posting under the name Molly Maguire likened the tweets and online comments by Stolz to the "47 percent" video that sparked criticism of GOP presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney.

Stolz wrote in the comments:

"Why anyone would think this is a 'meltdown' eludes me entirely. Knowing that I irk progressives so gives me great satisfaction.

"Since I first read it in 4th Grade, this line from 'Inherit the Wind' has resonated with me "I do hateful things, for which people love me, and lovable things for which they hate me. I am a friend of enemies, the enemy of friends; I am admired for detestability.

"Those who've known me long enough know I've never been any other way."

You can read the original story about the Stolz Twitter controversy and the comments posted on it here.