Shoot from the Lip Ron Beaty !

Barnstable County officials call for Beaty to step down

By Geoff Spillane
Posted Feb 20, 2019

Assembly member seeks vote on censure over tweet on gay politicians.

BARNSTABLE — Calls for the censure or removal of Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr. continued Wednesday at a meeting of his fellow elected county officials.

Four members of the county Assembly of Delegates — John Ohman of Dennis, Brian O’Malley of Provincetown, Lilli-Ann Green of Wellfleet and Elizabeth Harder of Harwich — demanded he step down because of his tweet Tuesday inquiring whether gay politicians were “too self-absorbed and self-centered” to represent all constituents.

“Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr. has crossed another line, this one his most egregious attempt at self-importance,” Ohman told his assembly colleagues during their meeting. “His continuous outrageous behavior has no place as an elected official of Barnstable County. He is a constant embarrassment to the citizens of this historic county.”

During the meeting of the 15-member legislative branch of the regional government, O’Malley went a step further, introducing a resolution for the assembly to censure Beaty.

The resolution could be debated and voted on at the assembly’s next meeting March 6. A resolution represents an “opinion” of the assembly.

“The Assembly of Delegates resolves to affirm its policy of non-discrimination, especially with regard to county services, and strongly condemns and censures any form of hate speech, especially from persons employed by Barnstable County,” O’Malley’s resolution states.

There currently is no mechanism in the county charter to recall an elected county official from office. Efforts last year to amend the charter to allow that hit legal and bureaucratic snags.

“Mr. O’Malley is entitled to his ‘opinion’ just like the other members of the Assembly are, and just like I am as well,” Beaty wrote in an email message to the Times on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Beaty issued a statement saying his comments were protected as free speech under the First Amendment, and he would not consider resignation since he had done nothing wrong and had no reason to apologize.

Not all of the assembly delegates were angered about Beaty’s tweet.

“I think it’s a witch hunt for Ron Beaty,” said Linda Zuern, the delegate from Bourne. “People have a right to free speech. If you don’t like someone in office, then don’t vote to re-elect them next time.”

More than 20 people attended the meeting to express concern about Beaty’s social media posts, and nearly a dozen addressed the assembly.

Ross Berry, a gay man from Brewster, was one of them.

“I’ve followed Beaty since he’s been in office and I’ve been really appalled by his contribution to the public discussion,” he said. “His virulent homophobia has no place in representing the people of Cape Cod.”

Ronald Bergstrom, chairman of the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners, the three-member body on which Beaty serves, issued his own statement Wednesday afternoon.

“Barnstable County Regional Government would like to apologize to the residents on Cape Cod for the offensive and discriminatory questions posed online by Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty,” it states. “Commissioner Beaty’s sentiments do not represent the views of Barnstable County, and we strongly oppose this kind of divisive behavior. We are proud to serve Cape Cod, a unique region of collaboration and partnership that embraces diversity and inclusion.”

In a voicemail message, Beaty said Bergstrom does not have the legal authority to speak for Barnstable County government, since neither of its two branches voted to let him, so, in effect, he delivered only a partisan political statement.

Since taking office in 2017, Beaty, a Republican, has repeatedly drawn fire from both sides of the aisle for his social media posts. On Tuesday, state Rep. Timothy Whelan, R-Brewster, called for him to resign. Whelan serves on the Cape and Islands legislative delegation with state Rep. Sarah Peake, D-Provincetown, and state Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, who are both openly gay.

Although Beaty said his tweet about gay politicians was not directed at anyone in particular, it came just days after Cyr and Peake were named to leadership posts in the Legislature.

Related content

Cape legislative delegation to Ronald Beaty: ‘Enough is enough’

February 21, 2019

Beaty’s comments about gays spark outrage

February 19, 2019

https://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20190220/barnstable-county-officials-call-for-beaty-to-step-down

Cape legislative delegation to Ronald Beaty: ‘Enough is enough’

By Geoff Spillane
Posted Feb 21, 2019

State lawmakers call for county commissioner to resign.

BARNSTABLE — Six of the eight members of the Cape and Islands legislative delegation issued a statement Thursday asking Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr. to “stop besmirching the reputation of everyone in county government” by resigning immediately.

“Enough is enough,” the statement says.

The lawmakers said they were coming to the defense of two colleagues — Rep. Sarah Peake, D-Provincetown, and Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro — in the wake of a tweet Beaty posted Tuesday asking whether gay politicians were too “self-absorbed and self-centered” to fairly represent all constituents.

Peake and Cyr are both openly gay. Although Beaty said his tweet was not directed at anyone in particular, it came just days after the two were appointed to leadership posts in the Legislature.

“Two from our group were singled out by inference in a completely inappropriate tweet by a Barnstable County commissioner who continues to spread hurtful, bigoted and juvenile commentary,” the statement says.

The lawmakers said Beaty “engages in this boorish behavior to elicit reactions for his own amusement.”

Ron Beaty Reprimand Letter by on Scribd

″... We would prefer to simply ignore this latest example of his tone deaf rhetoric and have the press and social media do the same,” they wrote. “However, our silence could be interpreted to imply indifference, and that would be a gross misinterpretation of how we feel about the situation.”

The statement was signed by Sen. Viriato “Vinny” deMacedo, R-Plymouth; Rep. William Crocker, R-Centerville; Rep. Dylan Fernandes, D-Woods Hole; Rep. Randy Hunt, R-Sandwich; Rep. Timothy Whelan, R-Brewster; and Rep. David Vieira, R-East Falmouth.

Cyr and Peake were the only members of the delegation not to sign the statement.

“I’m humbled by their support of not only me and Julian, but of all LGBTQ elected officials,” Peake said. “Their letter is evidence of how closely we work together and our joint commitment to represent the Cape and Islands in the most effective way possible. I love them for standing up.”

Cyr declined to comment Thursday, saying he thought the statement from his colleagues spoke for itself.

Whelan was the first elected official to demand Beaty’s resignation, hours after the tweet was posted. Four members of the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates also called for his resignation at a meeting Wednesday.

In a call with the Times, Beaty referred to the joint statement by the lawmakers as “no biggie,” saying he was not surprised because none of the six men supported him when he ran for office.

Beaty contends his comments are protected under the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and says he has no intention of apologizing or stepping down. He retweeted the original post about gay politicians at around 5 p.m. Thursday.

“Regarding a rumored letter calling for my resignation recently issued by some members of the Cape Cod legislative delegation, Legislative Delegation members did not put me into office as a Barnstable County Commissioner, the voters of Cape Cod did,” Beaty said via email. “It will also be the same voters who will decide whether or not I stay in office in 2020, not a group of apparently elitist politicians.”

The current controversy is not the first time Beaty’s social media commentary has led to calls for his recall or resignation since he took office two years ago. He also has come under fire for comments disparaging the #MeToo women’s movement and a survivor of the Parkland, Florida, school massacre.

The county charter still has no mechanism to remove an elected county official from office, although five members of the Assembly of Delegates introduced an ordinance in 2017 to amend the document to include a recall.

“It’s more complicated than people would think,” Ronald Bergstrom, chairman of the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners, said. “It has to go on a ballot during a statewide election cycle.”

Suzanne McAuliffe, speaker of the Assembly of Delegates, said a charter review is planned for the spring, after the county’s fiscal 2020 budget is finalized.

A recall provision and term limits are among the amendments the assembly will likely propose to a charter review committee, according to McAuliffe. Any amendments the committee supports would be on the November 2020 ballot in all Cape towns, a ballot that Beaty also would be on if he chooses to run for re-election. If the proposed amendments are passed by voters, they would then require ratification by the Legislature.

Hunt’s office was asked by a constituent about five years ago to investigate why there was no recall provision in the charter. Hunt said when the county charter was sent to Beacon Hill for approval in the 1980s, it did contain a recall provision, but that was stripped out of the document.

According to Hunt, the provision was eliminated because recall processes were not included in other county charters in Massachusetts, and the state likely did not want to absorb the expense — over $100,000 — to pay for a recall election that occurred between even-year elections.

The constituent who requested that Hunt’s office look into the matter? Ronald Beaty Jr.

https://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20190221/cape-legislative-delegation-to-ronald-beaty-enough-is-enough




FROM:
POLITICO MASSACHUSETTS PLAYBOOK



- "Barnstable County officials call for Beaty to step down," by Geoff Spillane, Cape Cod Times: Calls for the censure or removal of Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr. continued Wednesday at a meeting of his fellow elected county officials. Four members of the county Assembly of Delegates — John Ohman of Dennis, Brian O'Malley of Provincetown, Lilli-Ann Green of Wellfleet and Elizabeth Harder of Harwich — demanded he step down because of his tweet Tuesday inquiring whether gay politicians were "too self-absorbed and self-centered" to represent all constituents."

FROM 
POLITICO MASSACHUSETTS PLAYBOOK

- "Beaty's comments about gays spark outrage," by Geoff Spillane, Cape Cod Times: "A controversial elected Cape Cod representative's comments about gay people has sparked an angry backlash throughout the community and on Beacon Hill. 'I'm calling for Commissioner (Ron) Beaty to resign, I'm that upset,' said state Rep. Timothy Whelan, R-Brewster. 'I don't even know what else to say.' Beaty has made a reputation for himself for inflammatory and controversial comments. On Tuesday, he posed a question on Twitter that many believed to be homophobic. 'Generally speaking, are gay politicians too self-absorbed and self-centered to adequately represent ALL of their constituents in a fair and equitable manner?' Beaty tweeted. The post comes less than a week after two openly gay elected officials who represent the Cape and Islands — state Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, and state Rep. Sarah Peake, D-Provincetown — were named to leadership positions on Beacon Hill."

Democrats back in charge of Barnstable County board

“Though a Democratic Party majority now controls the Board of Barnstable County Commissioners, as the lone Republican, I shall make sure that the voice of fiscal restraint, transparency and public accountability will continue to be heard within our Cape Cod Regional Government,” Beaty wrote in a Twitter post shortly after the meeting.

FROM

POLITICO MASSACHUSETTS PLAYBOOK

- "Barnstable County officials offer to facilitate shark talks," by Geoff Spillane, Cape Cod Times: "The workshop discussion was placed on the meeting agenda at the request of Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr., who is no stranger to addressing head-on the danger of sharks in Cape waters. He created a national stir in 2017 when he advocated the use of baited drum lines to catch and kill great white sharks."

5th Barnstable District primary race heats up - SHOOT FROM THE LIP RON BEATY, CONVICTED FELON

BELOW ARE JUST A FEW ARTICLES POSTED IN RESPONSE TO SHOOT FROM THE LIP RON BEATY'S IRRATIONAL RANTS AND GIBBERISH. 

THERE ARE SURELY MORE RECENT RANTS....FRANKLY, MR. BEATY GETS TIRING AND WHO NEEDS TO FOLLOW HIS ANTICS? 

PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK. 

MR. BEATY POSTS INACCURATE AND FALSE INFORMATION, FREQUENTLY WITH SPELLING ERRORS. 

TEMPER TANTRUMS ARE DISCOURAGED IN CHILDREN....TEMPER TANTRUMS ARE INAPPROPRIATE IN ELECTED OFFICIALS

Massachusetts isn't ready for Angry Clown Tea Party Wackos!

Shoot From the Lip Ron Beaty has a rather pathetic history that only gets more embarrassing....his supporters seem too lazy to question his criticism. 

Folks, You're better than that! Please do your homework before continuing to support an uninformed flamethrower who can't even fund a campaign. 

Supporting Uninformed Tea Bagger Candidates will destroy the Massachusetts Republican Party.....what little is left after Willard's Fiasco! 

Ron Beaty and The Sheep!

Ronald Beaty Jr.

http://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20180415/opponents-of-barnstable-county-official-press-for-recall

MASSACHUSETTS DOESN'T NEED AN ANGRY, EXPLOSIVE OFFICE HOLDER IN ANY POSITION!

JUST SOME OF THE HISTORY:

Massachusetts isn't ready for Angry Clown Tea Party Wackos!

Ron Beaty and The Sheep!

Reading H4065 is the extent of my time commitment to disprove Mr. Beaty's Fairy Tale....if this is your candidate, maybe you should conduct your own FACT CHECK before you blindly follow.

Here's the CCT exchange: 

AMENDED ATTACK COMMENT FROM MR. BEATY ADDING THE INCORRECT BILL NUMBER [LAST YEAR'S AND CORRECTING HIS SPELLING ERROR IN RESPONSE TO MY CRITICISM]:

Beaty for State Senate•4 days ago

For the sake of political transparency, open state government and accountability news reporting on Beacon Hill seriously needs to be beefed up to help keep the public informed and educated about exactly what their state legislators are doing to impact their wallets and their person-hoods. As a case in point, rabidly left-wing Obamaphile Democrat State Senator Dan Wolf has co-sponsored legislation which will supposedly reform existing zoning laws but in reality will be horribly detrimental to the private property rights of Massachusetts residents: House Bill 1859 https://malegislature.gov/Bill...

middlebororemembers•3 days ago

It's difficult to know which is more offensive, writing an attack without including the bill number for the public to review or that CCT posted it.
It would seem the Beaty comment constitutes electioneering by a Tea Bagger!
While the SHNS article offers some great information, it also seems to have offered an opportunity for Mr. Beaty to share his lack of familiarity with the function of Massachusetts State Government. Thanks for the revelation!

Poor man can't even spell Middleboro or Middleborough:

Beaty for State Senate middlebororemembers•2 days ago

Middlboroogh [SIC], for your reference, the Bill was House Bill 1859: https://malegislature.gov/Bill...
Relative to your nonsensical comments, you provide some entertainment for the readers and me somewhat like a circus clown. Thank you for that.
RON BEATY

middlebororemembers•2 days ago

The bill is H4065 and the text may be found here:
https://malegislature.gov/Bill...
Having read the text, it appears simply a clarification not infringing on the rights of local and regional zoning/planning to implement their rules.
Please clarify which sections of this proposal you find troublesome.
Did you attend the hearings and raise those objections?
It might seem that Massachusetts voters have witnessed how non-productive attack rhetoric lacking substance has been in Washington and have the sense not to replicate the experience at home.
A cursory review of your extensive postings fails to reveal your previous experience...beyond blabbering uninformed Grover Norquist/CLT economic policy. Perhaps you could clarify that issue.

middlebororemembers•2 days ago

Below is the original attack comment posted by CCT and posted here:
http://middlebororeview.blogsp...
For the sake of political transparency, open state government and 
accountability news reporting on Beach [sic] Hill seriously needs to be beefed up to 
help keep the public informed and educated about exactly what their state 
legislators are doing to impact their wallets and their person-hoods. As a case 
in point, rabidly left-wing Obamaphile Democrat State Senator Dan Wolf has 
sponsored legislation which will supposedly reform existing zoning laws but in 
reality will be horribly detrimental to the private property rights of 
Massachusetts residents..
For my part, this was a simple Click-n-drag!
Now, instead of Beach Hill there's a correction. Who corrected your misspelling, Mr. Beaty?
Mr. Beaty's subsequent attack of me also includes a spelling error and I can only suggest that Mr. Beaty THINK before he writes and conducts a SPELLCHECK.

Who needs another uninformed Tea Bagger?

Daily Kos: Report: Bush tax cuts gutted Americans' incomes $6.6 trillion

Political Notes: Beaty attacks on student activist draw criticism

Who needs another uninformed Tea Bagger?

A nation eschews Ron Beaty's HATE!

5th Barnstable District primary race heats up

By Geoff Spillane 
Posted Aug 28, 2018 


Challenger Beaty heaps criticism as incumbent Hunt laments polarized electorate. 

HYANNIS — The most intriguing race on Cape Cod in next week’s primary election is arguably the Republican contest for state representative in the 5th Barnstable District. 

Four-term state Rep. Randy Hunt, R-Sandwich, the only Republican incumbent in the House facing a primary challenge, will compete against Barnstable County Commissioner and frequent political candidate Ronald Beaty Jr. 

The district includes the town of Sandwich, three precincts in Bourne, two precincts in Barnstable and one district in Plymouth. 

Tension between two men began to simmer last summer when Hunt parked in Beaty’s designated space at the county complex. Beaty has since unleashed an almost daily barrage of criticism against Hunt on social media.

Beaty, 57, is a real estate manager who served a 14-month term in federal prison for threatening to kill President George H.W. Bush and other politicians in the early 1990s. His constant tweets — in which he has called a survivor of the Parkland, Florida, school shootings an “opportunistic rat,” dismissed the #MeToo movement as “nonsense” and called for the killing of sharks with baited drum lines — led to a petition to remove him from office, although the county has no recall provision.

Hunt, 61, a certified public accountant, maintains there are many reasons voters should return him to Beacon Hill for another two years, including strong working relationships with Gov. Charlie Baker and his administration.

He specifically cited accomplishments in school safety funding, addressing the opioid crisis and returning money to the district.

A strong advocate for school safety since 2006 after a one-room schoolhouse shooting in Pennsylvania that claimed seven lives, Hunt, who was chairman of the Sandwich Board of Selectmen at the time, created the Sandwich School Safety Committee. Most recently he was instrumental in securing $72 million in funding for school building safety in the 2018 state supplemental budget, which the governor announced last week.

Hunt contends he began to address the opioid crisis as early as 2010, predicting there was an addiction crisis looming.

“At this time, I’m saddened that I was right about that,” he said, noting he has been involved in efforts to create diversion programs, including the use of Vivitrol at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility.

With increased use of the powerful and deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl, Hunt is also calling for strengthened criminal penalties for those who sell it.

“I think it’s time to look at the supply side and have substantially stiffer penalties for people selling this poison,” he said. “I’d like to see manslaughter charges for the seller and anyone in the supply chain to that point.”

He said he is also proud of the millions of dollars he has brought back to the district for issues ranging from beach erosion to new sidewalks to public safety.

Hunt declined to comment or say anything negative about his opponent.

Beaty did not hesitate to do so.

“Randy just sent out another mailer, but he doesn’t list accomplishments,” he said. “Apparently he has no solid accomplishments in eight years in office, so perhaps it’s time to move on.”

Beaty has hit Hunt particularly hard on taxes, gun owners’ rights and infrastructure issues in the district.

Hunt signed pledges to oppose new taxes, including one from Americans for Tax Reform, in the past, but did not meet the obligation, according to Beaty.

He specifically cited Hunt’s support of a proposed short-term rental tax and the state’s recent “grand bargain” legislation, which increased the minimum wage and created paid family and medical leave. He also said Hunt’s proposed legislation to add bottle deposits to miniature liquor bottles, or “nips,” was nothing more than a tax in disguise.

“He takes money out of people’s pockets,” Beaty said.

He argues Hunt is also weak on supporting Second Amendment rights, highlighting his support of the state’s “red flag” gun control bill and its ban on bump stock devices. Beaty also jabbed Hunt for his support of the transgender rights “bathroom bill” and opposition to legislation that would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“If he (Hunt) loses, he has nothing to worry about,” Beaty said. “He will likely be picked up by (Gov. Charlie) Baker and get a cushy job in the administration.”

If elected, Beaty says he would pursue solutions to the region’s traffic problems, including reinstatement of passenger rail service to Boston and retrofitting the canal bridges to have “double decker” traffic lanes similar to the Tobin Bridge in Boston.

Tuesday’s election will be Hunt’s first primary, but he says it is already unlike any he has ever experienced.

“This year, people are polarized beyond belief,” he said. “It saddens me that some groups on the extreme right and extreme left will accept nothing other than someone who is an ideological DNA match.”

The winner of the primary will face Democrat Jack Stanton, of Sandwich, in the November general election.

http://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20180828/5th-barnstable-district-primary-race-heats-up

Who needs another uninformed Tea Bagger?

CONVICTED FELON RONALD BEATY JR.: County commissioner’s social media posts again spark outrage

CONVICTED FELON RONALD BEATY JR IS AN UNINFORMED JACKASS WHO APPARENTLY CRAVES ATTENTION. REGRETTABLY, HE HAS UNINFORMED AND UNEDUCATED FOLLOWERS IN HIS STABLE.

IN THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THIS PAGE IS A SEARCH FEATURE THAT PROVIDES A GREAT DEAL OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE IRRATIONAL POSTS OF MR. BEATY.  PLEASE ENLIGHTEN YOURSELF. 

MR. BEATY'S COMMENTS ARE FREQUENTLY INACCURATE AND THIS AUTHOR LACKS THE TIME TO FACT CHECK AND FREQUENTLY FILLED WITH GRAMMATICAL ERRORS OR MISSPELLINGS DUE TO POOR EDUCATION. 

County commissioner’s social media posts again spark outrage

By Geoff Spillane

Posted Dec 31, 2019

Responses to Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty’s poll about civil war advocate violence.

BARNSTABLE — Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr. ended the year the way he began it: posting to social media platforms and generating controversy and outrage.

“Would a ‘Civil War’ be preferable to allowing radical socialists to take over American society and the United States government?” he posted to Facebook and Twitter on Tuesday.

Beaty, a Republican from West Barnstable, is seeking reelection to the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners in 2020.

The Facebook post generated dozens of comments, many perceived as potentially inciting violence in the nation.

“It’s rope and lead time,” one response read. “In order to save America we must stand up for America and make war with the Leftist who are dedicated to destroying it.”

“Necessary vs. preferable,” posted another Beaty follower. “I would never prefer to have Americans killing Americans, however it may be necessary at some point.”

“Rather than seeing the republic destroyed a small bit at a time. It’s getting to the point that an example should be made,” another wrote. “Drag them from their homes and holds to the middle of the street and give them the 2 in the back of the heads they so richly deserve ...”

“LOCK AND LOAD,” was another reply to Beaty.

Beaty clicked that he “liked” those posts.

Responses on Twitter were not as pro-violence as those on Facebook but had been removed as of midafternoon.

Beaty told the Times the post was posed as a question and that he exercised freedom of speech while doing so.

“I’m not the first one to bring this up, and I think it’s healthy for people to have a conversation about political matters and this is a national dialogue going on,” he said. “This goes hand-in-hand with the presidential race, with radical left Democrats and conservative Republicans. There is a struggle for the heart and soul of our nation at this time.”

Beaty said the post did not indicate he was taking a position one way or the other on the matter and he would not condone a civil war.

“I’m not talking about an armed conflict, I’m talking about settling matters at the ballot box,” he said.

Beaty said any arguments that he was inciting violence were a “stretch.” He said he would have been notified if there was a violation of the Facebook or Twitter terms of service and “people have the right to ask questions.”

“Posting it as a question is so cowardly,” said state Rep. Timothy Whelan, R-Brewster, about Beaty’s latest social media controversy.

Whelan, a former Massachusetts State Police sergeant, and other members of the Cape and Islands legislative delegation called for Beaty’s resignation in February when he posted — also in question format — a poll of whether gay politicians were too “self-absorbed and self-centered” to fairly represent all constituents.

State Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, and state Rep. Sarah Peake, D-Provincetown, are both openly gay.

“Given the recent examples of what we have seen across this nation of violence stoked by hate and misunderstanding, I find the commissioner’s words to be deeply troubling and unbecoming of any elective office,” Whelan said. “While I was serving our nation in the U.S. Marine Corps during time of war, the commissioner was serving time in federal prison for a series of felonies. I have no interest in anything that comes from his mouth.”

Beaty served a 14-month sentence in a federal prison for threatening to kill President George H.W. Bush and other politicians in the early 1990s.

“Politics aside, that kind of comment (post) is unnecessary,” Barnstable County Administrator John “Jack” Yunits Jr. said. “Within 36 hours of two hate crimes against religious groups by unstable persons, it’s hardly the time to call for violent responses.”

County commission Chairman Ronald Bergstron had not returned a call seeking comment as of late Tuesday.

Beaty’s comments about gays spark outrage

By Geoff Spillane

Posted Feb 19, 2019

Polarizing county commissioner urged to leave post.

BARNSTABLE — A controversial elected Cape Cod representative’s comments about gay people has sparked an angry backlash throughout the community and on Beacon Hill.

“I’m calling for Commissioner (Ron) Beaty to resign, I’m that upset,” said state Rep. Timothy Whelan, R-Brewster. “I don’t even know what else to say.”

Beaty has made a reputation for himself for inflammatory and controversial comments. On Tuesday, he posed a question on Twitter that many believed to be homophobic.

“Generally speaking, are gay politicians too self-absorbed and self-centered to adequately represent ALL of their constituents in a fair and equitable manner?” Beaty tweeted. .

The post comes less than a week after two openly gay elected officials who represent the Cape and Islands — state Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, and state Rep. Sarah Peake, D-Provincetown — were named to leadership positions on Beacon Hill.

“I am disappointed to hear that Ron Beaty made such an uninformed statement regarding the value LGBTQ people bring to Cape Cod and our commonwealth,” Cyr said. “It appears he would prefer to spend his time as an elected official causing division and spreading disrespect.”

Cyr invited Beaty to work with him to address the Cape’s challenges and priorities.

State Sen. Viriato “Vinny” deMacedo, R-Plymouth, who represents the Cape with Cyr in the Senate, said he was shocked when he read the tweet. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation,” he said.

Peake, who has served in the House since 2007, did not want to “dignify Mr. Beaty’s statement with a response, other than to say it demonstrates the depth of his ignorance and homophobia.”

Dennis Selectman Robert Mezzadri also expressed his displeasure with Beaty.

“As an elected official who happens to be gay, I find that comment appalling and baseless,” he said.

Beaty, who has modeled his politics and style after President Trump, said he was not referring to any particular person in the tweet, but he “had people make some statements to me in recent weeks, so I thought I’d look for other people’s opinions on the matter.”

“I’m not picking on anybody in particular,” said Beaty in a voicemail message to the Times. “Regarding Julian Cyr, although I don’t necessarily care for some of his more liberal politics, I think he does a good job representing the district and constituents. Sarah Peake, I don’t even know her.”

Beaty did say he takes issue with Cyr and Peake on what he perceives to be a lack of action on “the shark and seal” matter, fearing there could be another tragedy this summer.

In his message to the Times, he did not address Whelan’s call for his resignation.

Ronald Bergstrom, chairman of the three-member Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners, expressed concern that Beaty’s comments are damaging relationships with politicians locally and at the Statehouse — connections the county needs to be successful, he said.

“All I can say is that he doesn’t represent the view of Barnstable County and that we have a good working relationship with all of or delegation — gay or straight — and they are always available for us,” Bergstrom said. “I don’t think someone’s personal life has anything to do with working with their constituents.”

Leaders of the state’s major political parties were quick to respond on Tuesday.

“There is no place in the public arena for this kind of talk, and we cannot condone such outrageous behavior,” said James Lyons, chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party.

“Ron Beaty’s comments on Twitter are abhorrent, and just the latest in a pattern of bigoted, sexist, xenophobic rhetoric, ” said Veronica Martinez, executive director of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

“Unfortunately, Beaty and others like him have been emboldened by a state GOP that recently elected an anti-LGBTQ champion as its Chairman, and by a president who routinely advances discrimination and intolerance from the White House. Such hateful language has no place in Massachusetts or anywhere else,” Martinez continued.

Deborah Shields, executive director of Boston-based MassEquality, an LGBTQ rights advocacy group, called Beaty’s tweet “mean-spirited and unnecessary hate speech” that could affect the Cape’s reputation as a LGBTQ-friendly tourist destination and hurt the local economy.

“There’s no reason for this type of discourse from a politician,” she said. “Given all that Julian Cyr and Sarah Peake have done for the Cape, it’s horrifying.”

Beaty, who served a 14-month stay in a federal prison for threatening to kill President George H.W. Bush and other politicians in the early 1990s, is a prolific generator of contentious content on Twitter.

On Tuesday alone, he tweeted that climate change was fake, that the Democratic Party “spawns deviant hate-filled persons who need to find their way back to God before their souls are condemned to hell for all of eternity,” and that former Gov. William Weld was a “much bigger drunk” than current Gov. Charlie Baker.

Since taking office in 2017, Beaty has created controversy over disparaging social media commentary about the #MeToo movement and Parkland school shooting survivor David Hogg. He has also received national attention by advocating the use of baited drum lines to catch and kill great white sharks.

“I pretty much only do what President Donald Trump does relative to his social media postings,” Beaty wrote in a follow-up email Tuesday night. “If it is good enough for our president, whom I support 100 percent, then it is good enough for me as well.”

Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates approves resolution condemning hate speech

By Geoff Spillane

Posted Mar 7, 2019

BARNSTABLE — The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates overwhelmingly approved a resolution Wednesday that “strongly condemns any form of hate speech,” especially from county employees.

The resolution affirms existing county non-discrimination policies and passed 73.85 percent to 25.22 percent.

The assembly is the regional government’s legislative branch and is comprised of 15 delegates, one for each town on Cape Cod. The weight of each delegate’s votes is proportionate to town population.

Only three of the 15 Assembly delegates voted against the resolution: Linda Zuern of Bourne, Thomas O’Hara of Mashpee and James Killion of Sandwich.

Deborah McCutcheon of Truro, who controls .93 percent of the vote, was absent.

The resolution, a matter of opinion that requires no action, was introduced by delegate Brian O’Malley of Provincetown in the aftermath of a controversial tweet last month by Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr.

A prolific Twitter user, Beaty asked whether gay politicians were too “self-absorbed and self-centered” to fairly represent all constituents.

Beaty contends his comments are protected under the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and says he has no intention of apologizing or stepping down, despite calls for his resignation, including by six of the eight members of the region’s legislative delegation.

“It needed to come out,” O’Malley said Thursday. “It’s not a win and it doesn’t change anything, but it goes on record as something commented on. The intent was to say ‘we have some standards here.’”

At the outset of the resolution discussion, O’Malley amended it to remove the words “and censures” following “strongly condemns” based on a memorandum issued by county legal counsel.

“Censure,” according to the memo, refers to a legal process that some federal and state governmental entities are empowered to utilize, but the county charter does not grant that authority.

Assembly Speaker Suzanne McAuliffe of Yarmouth, often reminded delegates to avoid mentioning anyone by name, as the resolution was generic and not specific to one person.

Zuern referred to the resolution as “totally unconstitutional” and said “hate speech” could mean different things to different people.

“I consider (someone saying) ‘President Trump is evil’ to be hateful,” she said.

Elizabeth Harder, the delegate from Harwich, argued that free speech doesn’t necessarily mean there are no consequences for statements.

“This has nothing to do with politics,” she said, suggesting elected officials debase their office when they attack groups within their constituencies.

While the delegates steered clear of references to Beaty, the eight people who offered public comment at the meeting did not.

Chris Bartley, a gay man, spoke in support of Beaty and his rights when communicating through his private Twitter account.

“I think it’s absolutely a stupid thing that we are going after Ron Beaty right now and not focusing on challenges (facing Cape) Cod,” he said.

Shira Kavon, of Provincetown, said she has no argument with First Amendment free speech rights, but questioned whether the tweet was an expression of freedom or essentially an attack. She also expressed concern that Beaty defends his free speech rights but squashes others by blocking them on Twitter when he does not like what they say.

“As a Jewish Barnstable County resident, I fear who he might choose as his next target,” she said.

Beaty was quick to respond to the assembly vote Wednesday night.

“Under the Barnstable County Home Rule Charter, the Assembly of Delegates has no legal authority whatsoever to ‘censure’ anyone!” he wrote in an email. “To be brutally honest, the resolution itself was a politically motivated stunt drafted and promoted by a delusional and self-righteous petty local politician, and has about as much real world significance as a fart in a windstorm.”

In an email on Thursday, Beaty said he was going to contact the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts “regarding both this episode, as well as the letter signed by the Cape Cod and islands legislative delegation which attempted to coerce me into resigning my position as a county commissioner.”

Beaty a no-show at meeting after controversial Twitter post

By Geoff Spillane

Posted Feb 27, 2019

Largest crowd to attend a Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners meeting in recent memory turned out Wednesday, but the man they came to see was absent

BARNSTABLE — The largest crowd to attend a Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners meeting in recent memory turned out Wednesday, but the man they came to see was conspicuously absent.

Most were there to protest a recent tweet by County Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr. that questioned whether gay politicians are too “self-absorbed and self-centered” to adequately represent all constituents fairly.

“Due to a significant medical problem that has arisen unexpectedly, I will be unable to attend the County Commissioners’ Meeting today,” Beaty wrote in an email to County Administrator John “Jack” Yunits Jr. and an executive assistant approximately 35 minutes before the start of the session.

An overflow audience of nearly 75 people attended the meeting, which typically attracts just a few county employees and other interested parties.

Despite Beaty’s absence, 15 people addressed the board during the public comment period as the other two commissioners — Chairman Ronald Bergstrom and Mary Pat Flynn — listened stoically.

None of the speakers defended or supported Beaty, but many recognized his First Amendment rights to free speech, a defense he has reiterated in an effort to counter calls for his resignation. The general consensus among the speakers, however, was that an elected official should be held to a higher standard and be more responsible and appropriate in his or her comments and remarks.

“I think it’s very coward-like for him not to be here today,” said Benten Niggel, the senior class president at Nauset Regional High School.

Niggel, who will be studying political science at Harvard University in the fall, said he was blocked from Beaty’s Twitter account after replying to the controversial tweet, leading him to question Beaty’s commitment to the free speech rights of others.

“I’m a constituent,” he said. “For him just to block me like my voice doesn’t matter is sad and kind of horrifying.”

Erin Andrews spoke to the commissioners while holding her 19-month-old daughter, Margot.

“It is (Beaty) who is self-centered,” she said. “His comments take valuable attention away from issues that all Cape residents deem important — the health and safety of our community.”

Elizabeth Young, of Marstons Mills, addressed the board along with her husband, James.

“While it is true as an American citizen, we do have our rights to free speech, as an elected official you have the duty to serve all of your constituents, whether they are black, white, brown or blue, gay or straight, transgender or gender neutral,” said Young. “Because you have made such a discriminatory statement, it is I who question whether you, Commissioner Beaty, can adequately represent all of your constituents in a fair and equitable manner.”

Young also referenced a handbook for county committees that states the county is committed to provide a working environment that is free of all forms of abuse, harassment or discrimination, including offensive or discriminatory messages sent through electronic communications.

Paul Rifkin, a political activist from Mashpee, suggested hurtful and harmful comments from people who are “insecure, not very intelligent and don’t get enough attention” should be ignored.

“It’s not necessary to publish every stupid thing that every stupid person says,” said Rifkin, turning around to look at a Times reporter in the audience.

Beaty, when contacted by email for comment, said he had not yet viewed the meeting video but again insisted he would not apologize and would not consider resigning.

“As said previously, in November, 2020, at the same time the country decides to re-elect our great President, Donald J. Trump to another four years, Cape Cod voters will be the ones to decide whether or not I shall be reelected as County Commissioner as well,” Beaty wrote.

Until Wednesday, Flynn had not weighed in on the controversy embroiling her colleague.

“I’m disappointed in his (Beaty’s) actions, temperament and the way he approaches his responsibility as an elected official,” she said after the meeting.

Despite appeals for a censure, Bergstrom said he would wait for a decision on a censure ordinance being considered by the country’s legislative branch, the Assembly of Delegates. If approved by the assembly, it would come to the commissioners for review and action.

“They were respectful of the process and there was a good representation of the community there,” Bergstrom said about the meeting attendees. “It’s too bad that Mr. Beaty couldn’t attend.”

Shoot from the Lip Ron Beaty !

Massachusetts isn't ready for Angry Clown Tea Party Wackos!

“I’m not legally allowed to own a gun,” he said, referring to his conviction — and 14-month stay in a federal prison — for threatening to kill President George H.W. Bush and other politicians in the early 1990s.

FOR MOST, WITH AGE COMES WISDOM. 
IN THE CASE OF RON BEATY JR., IT SEEMS TO PROVE OTHERWISE. 

PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH IF YOU'RE TEMPTED TO VOTE FOR HIM.
RON BEATY CONTINUES TO BE AN EMBARRASSMENT. 

Political Notes: Beaty attacks on student activist draw criticism