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Photo Pru Sowers
Leo “Skip” and Marjorie Childs at Monday’s Board of Fire Engineers meeting, where they complained about the alleged discrimination against Childs. |
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Bias furor sparks possible lawsuit
By Pru Sowers
Banner Correspondent
TRURO — Leo “Skip” Childs is considering taking legal action against the town as a result of questions raised at a Board of Selectmen’s meeting about his ability to serve gay residents as a volunteer fireman and rescue squad chief.
Marjorie Childs, Childs’ wife, said they have had three pro bono offers from legal organizations willing to help them file a case of bias against the town, should they decide to do so. While not identifying the specific organizations, Mrs. Childs said two were religious groups and one was “a national” organization.
The Childs both said they have not decided whether to pursue legal action against the town but if they do, the case would claim discrimination against Childs for remarks made by former Selectman Paul Asher-Best and Selectman Gary Palmer. Asher-Best questioned whether Childs could remain unbiased against gay residents in his fire and rescue squad work after signing a petition attempting to reverse same-sex marriage rights in Massachusetts. Palmer said at a selectmen’s meeting two weeks ago that he voted to appoint newcomer Danny Silva to the Board of Fire Engineers instead of Childs because “when we can get someone that young and that involved, you should give him a chance.”
(For the entire text of this article see this week’s Banner.)
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Plan to boost tourism stirs
In the News
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May 11th, 2006