Embattled Scott commissioner steps down in wake of health secretary comments

A Scott Township commissioner who has been under fire since making remarks about the state health secretary during a public meeting has resigned.

Officials posted a notice on the township’s Facebook page late Wednesday morning stating: “Commissioner (Paul) Abel has resigned from his position on our Board of Directors. He has done so for his wife and family.”

Abel’s resignation comes a day after a group of Scott residents delivered a letter to township officials asking him to step down for his recent public comments about the state health secretary’s gender.

The letter from a newly formed group Building Equity, Diversity & Inclusion also included a list of demands the township must enact “to restore public trust in our elected officials.”

Abel’s comments were made during the June 9 board meeting conducted on Zoom.

During an exchange with another board member about plans to reopen the municipal swimming pool, Abel said, “I tell you, I am tired of listening to a guy dressed up like a woman,” in reference to Dr. Rachel Levine, who is transgender.

More than 200 Scott residents signed the letter to the board. Another 236 people from outside the township also signed the document in support.

The township posted an apology letter on its website on behalf of all the commissioners, but organizers said it was not enough to quell the call for Abel to resign.

Some of the demands made by the residents’ group include a requirement that the township’s elected officials, the manager and the solicitor attend training on diversity and inclusion; passing a non-discrimination ordinance that extends civil rights protections to people based on sexual orientation and gender identity; and creating an Equal Opportunity Board to investigate alleged cases of discriminatory practices that occur in the township.

Township Manager Denise Fitzgerald said last week that she was exploring training programs on cultural diversity for municipal employees and officials. She said a mission statement on inclusiveness and diversity for the municipality was being developed.

Abel’s resignation leaves two vacancies on Scott’s nine-member board of commissioners. Abel represented the 6th Ward. There also is a vacancy for the Ward 7 representative.