Long Island Mayor Faces Resignation Demands After Social Media Controversy

The mayor of Sag Harbor, Tom Gardella, is resisting calls for his resignation stemming from his comments about a local activist online. The Sag Harbor Board of Trustees voted unanimously to formally request Gardella’s resignation, but he has stated he has no intention of stepping down.

Gardella plans to engage in social media and anti-harassment training but insists he will remain in his position. “I have no intention of resigning as mayor,” he affirmed, adding, “That’s not going to happen. I’m not a man who runs away from a crisis; I tackle it head-on.”

While the board members cited various reasons behind the request for his resignation, the focal point of their anger arises from comments the mayor made on an Instagram post last month.

Rebecca Chavez, an animal rights activist, shared a video on March 6 featuring herself with her dog, accompanied by her partner dancing. Gardella, who has lived in Sag Harbor for over 30 years and owns a plumbing business, commented controversially in response to her video, questioning the identity of her partner.

“What’s that behind you? Is it a man? A girl? Some kind of creature?” he wrote. The comments, made from a personal account, have been met with backlash.

Chavez did not hold back in expressing her outrage, pointing to Gardella’s identity as a “man of the church” and calling for accountability from officials like him. She criticized his implied narrow-mindedness, stating, “I expect elected officials like you, Christian men, to do better.”

Following the uproar, Deputy Mayor Edward Hay addressed the board, noting that the comments allegedly made by Gardella could be seen as disparaging to the LGBTQ+ community. He emphasized Sag Harbor’s commitment to inclusivity and highlighted that such comments understandably caused concern among residents.

Despite Gardella’s apology, Chavez found it lacking sincerity, claiming that apologies often come too late and seem disingenuous. The board initiated an investigation that concluded Gardella violated the village’s social media and anti-harassment policies. The findings indicated that his comments negatively affected community operations and fostered a misleading perception about the village’s leadership support for diversity.

The board moved to censure Gardella based on the investigation. He has reiterated his resolve to stay in office, suggesting that the village’s residents elected him, and he aims to guide them through this turmoil, hoping to eventually work cooperatively with the board.