Superior mayor resists calls to resign after Obama remark

Hagen told WDIO-TV that he made the comment in response to something that a friend said, but declined to elaborate.

But Hagen said Tuesday he has no plans to resign, and he did not back down from what he posted. “If the people of this community feel otherwise, they will vote me out of office”.

“With social media it does place a certain responsibility on public officials and I think that for the most part, one would assume that they are aware of the ramifications of certain statements”, Dr. Von Hagel said, Tuesday.

Mayor Bruce Hagen is in hot water after he posted on Facebook saying that President Barack Obama was a Muslim who “destroyed the fabric of democracy”. “Sometimes I kind of forget”.

Garfield fears the mayor’s comments will alienate the city’s relationship with other groups and agencies.

The comments caused an immediate backlash and five city councilors are among the chorus of those demanding the mayor retract his statement, according to WDIO.

Those who are opposed to Mayor Hagen’s stance on the issue and calling for his resignation are invoking the same First Amendment protections that the Mayor is also claiming. Garfield said he’s “uncomfortable” beginning a recall process – but if others begin the process, he’ll support it.

Obama in 2008 denounced the reverend who made those comments about America.

On Monday, Hagen posted the comment, “Unbelievable!”

Hagen defends his right to exercise the same constitutional amendment that protects freedom of religion – his right to free speech. “I don’t think about this as an issue of free speech or political correctness; it’s about respecting people in the community….”

Mayor Hagen was going to hold a news conference on Wednesday morning. After retiring from state government work, he was elected again in 2011.