The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Protesters slam councilman
Flores’ comments make for tense council meeting
After an online rant, Lorain Ward 2 Councilman Dennis Flores apologized for comments that city residents said were racist in nature.
But his words on the Council floor seemed to do little to heal the pain and anger for those hurt by his words on Facebook.
Lorain police continue investigating the shoot-Flores ing that claimed the life of Andre Eugene Hines, 23, of Lorain, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was shot in an alley in the 2800 block of Apple Avenue about 2:20 a.m. May 27, according to a police report.
Since then, Flores’ public reaction to the incident has sparked outrage in Ward 2, which is much
of central Lorain including part of the Black River, Broadway and the neighborhood immediately west.
At least 60 people attended the Lorain City Council meeting June 4, the first regular Council meeting since the incident and Flores’ social media comments venting frustrations over violence in Lorain.
“I sincerely apologize for my comments on Facebook and I’m going to leave it right there,” Flores said at the end of the June 4 Council meeting.
Flores also has apologized via local news outlets, but a
crowd marched through Ward 2 to Lorain City Hall to demand an apology, and leadership from other members of Council.
Apology needed
The current media environment is loaded with videos of brutality against black citizens, said Ward 2 resident Inez James, who wrote a letter to Council demanding an apology from Flores. So she said she tries to post only positive images of black and brown people online, and avoid confrontation.
“I do believe I am a leader, and leaders lead by example,” James said. “Dennis Flores, you hold a leadership position in this community.
“I am here today because leaders do not deserve a pass for making racist comments that mock, disrespect, stereotype and belittle other cultures and businesses,” said James.
“Leaders should have zero tolerance for this type of behavior,” she said. “And I charge this body of leaders to rise up and take action.
“If you feel that Dennis Flores’ words of mocking black and brown people were funny and silly, and not disrespectful and damaging, then you are not a leader, and a huge part of the problem,” James said. “If you are not here today to demand zero tolerance for Dennis Flores’ actions and to hold him accountable as an appointed leader in this International City, then you are
not a leader.
“If you do not agree that Dennis Flores’ comments were insensitive to the people who vote, those who did not vote, and those who voted against him, then you are not a leader,” James said.
She thanked Council, Mayor Chase Ritenauer, police and residents who came out.
Flores’ reaction
After the meeting, Flores said he could not take back the comments because his words were out there.
However, he said his words were uncalled for and inappropriate. “I do regret it,” Flores said.
After the shooting, Flores posted: “Here we go … sirens at 2:48 a.m. like clock work.”
A commenter, identified online as “Mark Davis,” posted: “It be like dis if da weedz man rips me off I got my hi point 40 on dat (expletive) in if i rip off da weeds man he gonna have his hi point pointed at me fo realz … Pop Pop …”
Flores responded: “Brothaz be at da club spending weedz man’s money, (expletive) ‘N’ you got my money?
POP, POP, POP, POP, POP cuz that’z how we roll in So Lo … pop that (expletive) Mark Davis!!!”
Words of support
A letter supporting Flores was included among the correspondence of the June 4 meeting.
It was obvious Flores’ comments were made out of sarcasm, said Kristine Kiedrowski-Ingersoll, another Ward 2 resident.
Ward 2 has “a lot of racial tension,” she said.
“But I have to say that of all the people I’ve known throughout the country in various places that I’ve lived, I give total 100 percent support to Dennis Flores for the efforts he puts into making this a better place to live,” Kiedrowski-Ingersoll said.
Council procedure
James almost did not get the chance to deliver her statement.
Lorain Council usually has meeting agendas with multiple pieces of legislation and correspondence, but generally confines public comment to committee meetings held in alternating weeks when there is not
a regular meeting.
On June 4, James stood at the microphone used for public comment for the duration of the meeting as Council considered its legislation.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Pamela Carter asked that James be allowed to speak. Ward 6 Councilman Angel Arroyo Jr. said if James spoke, everyone should be allowed to speak.
Councilwoman-at-Large Mary Springowski said the privilege to speak could be granted to James due to her letter, which prompted murmurs of “not true,” from the crowd.
“He should have watched what he said on social media, how about that?” said Kyriece Brooks, an audience member who previously challenged Flores for the Ward 2 seat.
With police officers present, Council President Joel Arredondo warned the crowd he would have other people removed if they attempted to speak publicly.
Lorain police escorted a man out of the Council Chamber. After the meeting, Chief Cel Rivera and Capt. Roger Watkins said they spoke with the man, who was allowed to vent his feelings outside the building and leave.
Once the man left, Councilman-at-Large Mitch Fallis supported Springowski’s motion to allow James to speak. Arroyo dissented because not everyone would speak.
Arroyo said Flores’ comments disrespected residents of his own ward and Ward 5.
“South Lorain is not ‘the hood’ that he spoke out about,” Arroyo said. “And I feel that, if we’re going to down this road, that everyone should be able to speak if you let Ms. James speak.”