Embattled Brookfield BOE member resigns Brookfield: Outcry after controversial Facebook post leads to Beck's resignation

BROOKFIELD -- After constant demands for his resignation based on a Facebook post that many deemed offensive, new minority Board of Education member Gregory Beck agreed Tuesday to step down.

Before the public-participation portion of a school board meeting at which speakers were expected to again ask for Beck's resignation, board Chairman Scott McCarthy said Beck notified him hours before the meeting he was resigning, effective immediately.

Beck was elected as a member of A Brookfield Party.

"I think Greg showed maturity and consideration for his town in his decision," said Ray DiStephan, the former Democratic school board chairman, who lost his seat to Beck and was one of his critics. "The entire situation was very unfortunate, but I think the Board of Education has plenty to focus on as they move past this issue."

The Board of Education is composed of four Republicans and two Democrats, and will need to appoint a minority party member to fill Beck's seat.

A message left for Beck on Tuesday night was not returned.

The outcry against Beck stemmed from a Facebook post made after the Nov. 5 election that stated his "26 Acts of Kindness" tribute would be to deliver boxes of ammunition to his gun-enthusiast friends. Many people considered the post to be inappropriate and offensive, since the "26 Acts" movement had been dedicated to the victims of the Dec. 14, 2012, shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

Beck apologized, but that did not stem the backlash from local leaders and parents. They questioned his ability to make judgments related to their children's education.

Beck, 26, endured two board meetings at which at least 20 people asked him to resign. Two complaints were filed against him with Brookfield's Board of Ethics, since he made his Facebook post while working as a town emergency services dispatcher. A hearing on those complaints is scheduled for Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

"My guess is, we go ahead and see what happens," Ethics Board Chairman Alice Carolan said.

Republican First Selectman Bill Tinsley described what happened to Beck as an "unfortunate scenario."

Tinsley understands Beck's situation. At every meeting since he took office, he has also been asked to resign, based on an embezzlement accusation in Vermont that was settled after the election with his no-contest plea to a misdemeanor larceny charge.

"I have great empathy for Greg Beck and his decision," Tinsley said. "It certainly puts a period at the end of an unfortunate chapter. I know (school board members) are dealing with the budget and moving forward, and the best thing for the town of Brookfield is to move forward."

A Brookfield Party Chairman Rob Gianazza said Beck reached his decision independently.

"As far as A Brookfield Party is concerned, we never made any attempts to encourage or discourage him, other than to use his own judgment and make his own decision," Gianazza said. "I wish him all the best."

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