Lacey councilman Kunkel apologizes for social media posts, and council takes no action
Lacey City Councilman Ed Kunkel apologized Thursday for recent inflammatory social media posts after four former Lacey mayors alerted the city to the posts and asked the council to take action.
Kunkel offered the apology at the City Council’s regular meeting. The council did not take any action against Kunkel.
“I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my recent posts,” he said. “I never intended to offend anyone for any reason. I was sharing articles of acts of courage and community and never intended to be offensive, but they were to some and I take ownership of that. I will strive to be better and thank you for listening. I ask for your forgiveness.”
Former mayors Mark Brown, Jon Halvorson, Graeme Sackrison and Nancy Clauson sent the city a letter about their concerns. That letter also was shared with The Olympian Thursday morning.
“In one (Facebook) post, Councilman Kunkel refers to armed militia patrolling the streets of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho as ‘How it should be,’” the letter reads. “In response to another post showing a mother confronting her son, who was among a group of protesters, he commented, ‘What all of these degenerates causing problems right now need.’”
“We are offended by these comments,” the mayors write. “We believe these comments do not reflect the values of our community. Armed white para-military militia patrolling our streets is not ‘How it should be’ and referring to a group of black protesters as ‘degenerates’ is completely unacceptable.”
Brown said Thursday he was contacted by two Lacey residents Monday morning about the Facebook posts. The posts were then sent to him, then he checked Kunkel’s Facebook page himself and saw them.
The Olympian could not locate the posts on Thursday.
After Kunkel apologized during the Thursday council meeting, Councilwoman Carolyn Cox thanked him for his contrition.
“I hope you take something away from this experience,” she said. “Not everyone can read your thought bubble. All the information they have is what’s on the (computer) screen.”
Deputy Mayor Cynthia Pratt suggested classes be taken on equity and those things that impact people of color. Although it wasn’t clear who she was suggesting take those classes, she ended her comments by saying, “I’d be the first person to take (that class).”
Not everyone was pleased with Kunkel’s apology. Because of the pandemic, the council has been meeting remotely and live streaming on the city of Lacey Facebook page. As the meeting unfolded Thursday, a number of people commented on the proceedings.
“You should be more ashamed, and I cannot believe that was the best you were able to offer in the form of an apology,” said Jackie Johnson during the meeting. “I’m sure sweeping this under the rug made you feel better as a person. What you said, on several accounts, was unacceptable. I am glad to not live in the city of Lacey at the moment. Unbelievable.”
Others defended Kunkel’s right to free speech.
“You don’t have to agree with the speech of another person, but it is protected by the Constitution,” said former Lacey City Council candidate Robert Motzer. “It’s OK to have opposing views.”
Former Lacey City Councilwoman Lynda Zeman also chimed in. “There’s a difference between healthy discourse and contributing to bigotry,” she said.
Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder did announce that he is reconvening a group that used to be known as the civic leadership group under the new name of the civic leadership council on equity. He said the council will listen and learn more about systemic inequalities.
“Let’s move forward as a community,” Ryder said.
This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 6:33 PM.
