Weighty discussion
Trustee’s comments prompt widespread reactions, demand for apology
The heavy weight of public criticism fell on Plymouth Township Trustee John Stewart following remarks he made at a recent meeting of the board members.
Since his remarks at the Feb. 10 board meeting during discussion of the purchase of exercise equipment to be installed in township hall, Stewart has been the subject of several newspaper articles and a TV interview in attempts to clarify his comments. Stewart, while saying he was in strongly supportive of the $20,000 purchase, suggested exercise was critical to overall health and that women working in the building should “pack a brown-bag lunch” and walk around the Lake Pointe Soccer Park or begin yoga exercises during lunch hours.
His remarks were interpreted as insulting by some female employees of the township and as criticism of their physical appearance. Demands for an apology from Stewart quickly followed.
Stewart, however, defended his remarks claiming that the comments were an attempt to ensure that women employees had equal access to the new equipment and that he meant no insult or reference to any physical appearance.
Stewart characterized his comments at the meeting as an effort to promote the health of employees and confirm that the updated room would be open to women as well as male employees. He said his suggestions were a concern for overall health of employees.
Township Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz, however, said women in the building were “livid.” Dershowitz said three female employees expressed their anger at Stewart’s comments, prompting him to send an email to Stewart on their behalf.
“I am requesting that you issue a formal apology to the Township’s female employees, particularly those working on the first floor, for the comments you made last night,” the email said, in part, also characterizing the remarks as “offensive, unprofessional, and unacceptable in the workplace.”
Doroshewitz did not attend the Feb. 10 meeting but said he watched it online and was confronted with the reactions of women employees when he arrived at township hall the next morning. He claimed that following his email asking for an apology Stewart confronted him in township hall and told him no apology would be forthcoming.
Stewart steadfastly contends that his remarks were not criticism or comments on the weight or appearance of any employees but motivated by support for a healthy work environment and equal opportunities for women to use the new equipment.
One long-time township employee said that was her interpretation of Stewart’s remarks. The long-time employee said she did not take offense to anything Stewart said during the meeting but she was aware that her response differed greatly from others in the building.
“I think you interpret things how you want to interpret them,” she said.
Stewart, a former three-term state representative, has served on the Plymouth Township board since 2000 and previously served one term as a trustee from 1988 until 1992.
