ARLINGTON, TN- "I allowed things to go too far." That's the message tonight from Arlington Mayor Russell Wiseman.
He's come under fire for comments he posted on his Facebook page.
Wiseman’s words have attracted national attention, and both anger as well as approval.
There is a Twitter page in support of a Sarah Palin/Russell Wiseman presidential ticket in 2012. There’s also a Facebook group of people calling for Wiseman to “respect Charlie Brown and our President.”
The one person who has been quiet so far is Wiseman. Finally, that changed Monday night... sort of.
Wiseman's absence at the Board of Aldermen meeting did not go unnoticed, especially to resident Rick Rivers.
“I feel that if you make a statement, and someone asks you to stand up and clarify your statement, you should at least be present to do so” says Rivers.
On a Facebook post last week, Wiseman said President Barack Obama deliberately gave his speech on the war in Afghanistan at a time designed to block the Peanuts Christmas special. He also called Mr. Obama a Muslim.
“I thought it was bad judgment on the mayor's part” says resident Gary Lowery. “It did not help Arlington any because of this. A neighbor of mine called me today and said his brother from out of state called and was asking about our mayor.”
While Wiseman has refused any interviews, he has now released a statement.
The mayor writes: "I regret that I offended anyone with my poor attempt at tongue-in-cheek humor amongst friends." He also says "I don't really care for President Obama or his policies..." and "I’m afraid I let my sarcastic and joking nature get the best of me."
Some residents say the incident has cast doubts about Wiseman's ability to lead.
“I think that he's a good father, and I'm sure he's a wonderful husband but as an elected official- his past indiscretions touched on some indecisiveness and areas for improvement” says Rivers.
Others are willing to forgive and forget.
“He's concerned about the state of the country and that precipitated his Facebook comment” says Arlington resident Tom McNabb. “We need to make a stand for our Christian values and I again support Mayor Wiseman for making his stance.”
In his statement, Mayor Wiseman also says in the last week he's been threatened-- both verbally and physically.
