Mendham Twp. deputy mayor resigns after Facebook post compared immigrants to 'messy raccoons'

MENDHAM TWP. — Deputy Mayor Rick Blood resigned Monday at the end of an emotional Township Committee meeting where he was accused by residents of racism after comparing illegal immigrants to "rabid raccoons" in a Facebook post.

Blood, who apologized for the post he said he pasted from a friend before deleting it Sunday night, said early in the meeting that he was not going to resign.

"I do not believe my brief misstep warrants stepping down from the committee," Blood said.

But after more than two dozen people spoke out during the public comment section of the agenda meeting at Town Hall, one calling his post "disgusting," "vile" and "inherently racist," the council adjourned to closed session.

A few minutes later, they returned, and Mayor Richard Diegnan Jr. announced Blood had submitted his resignation, effective at midnight.

After deleting the original post, Blood replaced it with an apology and "clarification" Facebook post Sunday night, stressing he had not written the rant that compared illegal immigrants to "rabid, messy, mean raccoons" that had "overtaken your basement."

"This country is weak, bankrupt, and our enemies are making fun of us," according tot he first post. "We are being invaded by illegals, we are becoming a nation of victims where every Tom, Ricardo and Hasid is a special group with special rights to the point where we don't recognize the country we were born and raised in."

That first post also referred to President Donald Trump as a "bit of an ass," but that he may be the only one "who seems to understand what people want."

Blood apologized again at the meeting, saying his "bonehead" decision to post the rant had put the committee in a difficult position.

Blood has also since removed the apology post from his Facebook page. The link now reads the post is no longer available.

"I am sincerely sorry for the controversy this has caused, and I take full responsibility for my actions and failures," Blood told the crows of about 50 people who packed the committee room.

They did not take his word.

"I grew up in this town, my seven brothers and sisters and I," resident Pat Kelly said. "Over the years, I've never seen anything like what I read yesterday. That intolerance is not what the people of Mendham represent. Period. I was taught to stand up against bullies, and that was a bully move on your part."

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"I am disappointed that we even have to respond to these disgusting comments, which are inherently racist and in now way reflect the values of the great people that live in Mendham Township," said resident Laurie Pettine. "These vile comments posted by Mr. Blood are an embarrassment for our community. There is no room for trust in this climate. Mr. Blood, please resign."

And elderly woman from neighboring Morris Township said when she read Blood's initial post, "I almost had to take my eyes away. It was almost pornographic. How could anyone have written it and passed it on?"

After two hours of public comment, Diegnan attempted to adjourn the meeting, but the lone Democrat on the committee, Amalia Duarte, urged the committee to discuss the matter in closed session.

"There's a quote form Maya Angelou that says when someone shows you who they are, believe them," said Duarte, who defeated Blood in the 2017 general election. "I think we've seen it. I think we need to listen to the public. Let's take action tonight."

The township's Republican majority later appointed Blood to fill a vacant committee seat, a move that several residents criticized.

"You lost an election to a Hispanic Democrat in a community that has 1,000 Democrats, she got 1,200 votes," township resident Michael Merritt said. "Only 600 Democrats voted. Subsequent to that, you were selected by an all-white peer group from an all-white male slate, to serve on the township committee. Following that a white male majority appointed you deputy mayor. I'd like to encourage you to think that maybe white privilege is a reality you should give thought to when you make jokes about Tom, Ricardo and Hasid."

"I don't understand how you could look at that statement and not connect it to people and immigrants," another resident said."I showed it to my middle-school-age daughters and they understood it. I'm ashamed that someone that was not even elected has cast Mendham in such a negative light."

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Another township resident, Emily Hourihan, said she had been working with Blood on the township recreation committee, but now wondered if he really wanted "separate water fountains at the playground?"

"People like you and you seem like a nice person, before we read ... but we know what you think now, and I don't think you should be here," she said.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com