DRYDEN – The city’s integrity commissioner has determined Coun. Ritch Noel did not violate the municipal Code of Conduct when he questioned on Facebook whether the Dryden Public Library should host a drag storytime.
“We are celebrating it as a win,” Noel said Thursday.
But “the win was somewhat overshadowed” by remarks Coun. Catherine Kiewning made during Tuesday’s Dryden council meeting, he added.
In a Facebook post last June 3, Noel made comments about a drag storytime – drag performers reading to children – scheduled for later in the month at the municipal library.
He suggested the library was violating its own policy of offering services without imposing “values, customs or beliefs” and encouraged people to “address your concerns to the Dryden Library about this practice.”
The post was taken down after a few days.
Two individuals filed complaints asserting that Noel’s post included discriminatory comments violating the city’s Council Code of Conduct.
Integrity commissioner Guy Giorno presented the findings of his inquiry Tuesday with a 44-page report.
Giorno concluded that Noel did not violate the Code of Conduct but recommended council members receive “refresher training” on the code, use of social media and attempts to influence public institutions such as the library.
Kiewning told council she found it “troubling” that a member of Dryden council would face “essentially no consequences” for publicly questioning “things like drag storytime and essentially the queer community.”
That “does not make me feel very safe sitting in council chambers as a queer person,” she said.
Kiewning also disputed Noel’s assertion of being a past supporter of an LGBTQ+ Pride event. There is “zero record” of him attending, sponsoring or donating to a Pride event, she said.
Noel told Newswatch one of his businesses had, in fact, donated to a Pride event “because I felt it was a worthwhile thing to do.”
Giorno said in his report that he found no evidence that Noel’s Facebook post invited hatred.
“I have some evidence for you,” said Kiewning. She then read aloud comments she said appeared under Noel’s post. The comments included anti-LGBTQ+ slurs.
Noel disputed Kiewning’s remarks and said he’s not a bigot or homophobe.
“Absolutely not. One of my best friends, my best man in my wedding, is married to another man.”
How does Noel feel about the recommended “refresher training”?
“They can request all the training they want,” he said. “Whether or not I participate in it is another question.”
