Councilman Hall Issues Apology for False Social Media Attacks
MIDLAND, Mich. — City Councilman Pam Hall (Ward 1) made a public apology on Wednesday to her former political opponent, Jeremy Rodgers, as well as Midland Mayor Maureen Donker and State Rep. Annette Glenn.
After Mr. Rodgers announced his intention to request a recount in the election, which Ms. Hall originally won by just 11 votes, Ms. Hall came under fire for bombastic and false comments posted to social media saying that Mr. Rodgers was a white supremacist and of conspiring with the Midland County Sheriff “to do illegal background checks” and of “shameless cheating.”
“Jeremy Rodgers is arrogant, like Trump. It is disturbing our mayor supports him. Several people have approached me about their own interest in Ward 2 over the last couple years I’ve served because of her indifference to protecting citizens,” Ms. Hall wrote, also mentioning Mses. Donker and Glenn. “People like her and Annette Glenn are extensions of the worst kind of male privilege and do not truly help free other women. They are Stepford Wives, Handmaiden’s Tale.”
Ms. Hall’s comments were widely denounced and criticized. At the time, Mr. Rodgers declined to comment in response to Ms. Hall’s posts other than to say they were so absurd, they didn’t warrant a response. Ms. Hall’s apology came in the form of a letter to the editor in the Daily News.
“2020 has been a very difficult year for many reasons including COVID-19, epic flooding, on top of that, contentious elections,” Ms. Hall wrote in her apology. “Many unfounded allegations have been said about me and others with which I stand on issues that support the people. In response to the attacks I made some statements of which I’m not proud. Therefore, I apologize to Jeremy Rodgers and Annette Glenn. I responded poorly to something that was said by Mayor Donker and have apologized to her. It was never my intention to malign Shelterhouse, who are very helpful and which I have great respect, or the H Hotel, a great place to be.”
Ms. Hall made comments comparing Mr. Rodgers to President Donald Trump for requesting a recount, inferring that they were ‘Harvey Weinstein-types’ and that they were “helping provide Shelterhouse more tenants.” Shelterhouse offers safety, shelter, advocacy and counseling for victims of domestic and sexual assault. Mr. Rodgers declined to comment on Ms. Hall’s apology.
The recount affirmed Ms. Hall’s victory, with both her and Mr. Rodgers picking up extra votes, Ms. Hall remained on top with a difference of just 9 votes, winning 1,363 to 1,354.
Midland City Council members serve two year terms and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot.
Michael Westendorf is the chairman and executive editor of Chemical City Paper. As Executive Editor, he leads the City Paper’s news coverage and editorial team.