SDA Public Health Director Eric Walsh Placed On Temporary Leave

[bonnie]

Frank Shyong

May 1, 2014, 10:00 p.m.

Pasadena city officials placed Public Health Director Eric Walsh on temporary paid administrative leave Thursday after they learned of controversial statements he had made about homosexuality and evolution in online videos and audio clips.

In sermons uploaded to various websites, Walsh, a Seventh-day Adventist preacher, calls evolution "a religion created by Satan," compares Disney to a "dark empire" of superstition and witchcraft, and criticizes homosexuality.

Walsh's comments came to the city's attention after he replaced Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black as Pasadena City College's commencement speaker, said city spokesman William Boyer.

College officials said they replaced Black because they found stolen photographs of him and an ex-boyfriend engaged in sexual acts on Internet gossip sites, according to the school newspaper, the PCC Courier.

"With the porno professor and the sex scandals we've had on campus this last year, it just didn't seem like the right time for Mr. Black to be the speaker," PCC Board of Trustees President Anthony Fellow told the Courier.

Fellow was referring to former professor Hugo Schwyzer, who invited adult film stars to speak in a class on pornography and admitted to affairs with his students.

In a letter to the school newspaper, Black accused college administrators of attempting to shame him for his sexuality. He urged students to speak out, and soon a member of the group Students for Social Justice found some of Walsh's videos online.

"We very quickly realized that there were a lot of communities that would be offended by Dr. Walsh," said Sarah Belknap, a fourth-year student and member of Students for Social Justice.

The group compiled a list of Walsh's controversial public statements, then published excerpts on Facebook and emailed them to media outlets.

"We were just so shocked that he was saying these things," said Kelly Camacho, another student in the group. "This was even worse, to have this person as [black's] replacement, of all people."

Walsh has since stepped down as commencement speaker because of a scheduling conflict, according to the college. School officials did not respond to calls and emails requesting comment Thursday evening.

Walsh, an associate pastor at Altadena Seventh-day Adventist Church, was hired as the director of Pasadena's Public Health Department in 2010, Boyer said. He also served as the city's public health officer and oversaw the creation of a dental clinic that served low-income patients, as well as those with HIV/AIDS who could not get care elsewhere, Boyer said.

His department was also responsible for restaurant inspections, public health initiatives and declaring public health emergencies. In 2012, Walsh earned about $193,600 in wages and $56,900 in benefits, according to data from the state controller's office.

Boyer said the city placed Walsh on leave because time is needed to review the online sermons and conduct an inquiry into his ability to lead the department.

On Wednesday, the college's Board of Trustees apologized to Black and voted unanimously to reinvite him to speak at commencement. Black hasn't responded.

With just a week left until graduation on May 9, the college still has no commencement speaker.

frank.shyong@latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-pasadena-leave-20140502,0,6625892.story#ixzz30axHrSEQ

[Gregory Matthews]

One cannot expect to have a positive influence on society, if one holds a public role, and make statements those alleged to have been made.

[bonnie]

One cannot expect to have a positive influence on society, if one holds a public role, and make statements those alleged to have been made.

I don't know whether his position required him to have a positive influence or not.

Was part of his job description not to at anytime express his religious views publicalLy? I don't know.

It does seem as if this description gives a positive influence on society.Or the college seems to think so. Affairs with students might be viewed favorably by some

College officials said they replaced Black because they found stolen photographs of him and an ex-boyfriend engaged in sexual acts on Internet gossip sites, according to the school newspaper, the PCC Courier.

"With the porno professor and the sex scandals we've had on campus this last year, it just didn't seem like the right time for Mr. Black to be the speaker," PCC Board of Trustees President Anthony Fellow told the Courier.

Fellow was referring to former professor Hugo Schwyzer, who invited adult film stars to speak in a class on pornography and admitted to affairs with his students.

[Gregory Matthews]

Bonnie said:

Quote:

don't know whether his position required him to have a positive influence or not.

Was part of his job description not to at anytime express his religious views publicalLy? I don't know.

I have a close friend who is Seventh-day Adventist and in charge of Public Health on a higher governmental level that that of the person referenced in this thread. This friend of mine is often called in to give "expert testimony" to elected State lawmakers.

If my friend were ever to make statements as cited in this thread, he would lose all credibility as to his ability to give lawmakers expert testimony.

As to whether or not a position in "public health" requires a positive influence, yes it is a fundamental thesis of public health that society will be influenced to better living. That is exactly why my friend gives expert testimony to State lawmakers.

As to the idea that one should not express religious views publicly: Any public official knows that cannot remain effective in a public position if says something that will cause the public to see the official as an ignorant, uninformed person. The cited comments, certainly cast doubt on the knowledge of the person who is alleged to have said them.

The same is true for the life style of a public official. That is evidenced by what happened to the person (Black) who was replaced by the SDA (Walsh).

[Narcah]

Sounds like an attack on freedom of religion and freedom of speech to me.

[Gregory Matthews]

Employment has its limitations. One cannot refrain, on religious grounds, from selling alcoholic beverages, and expect to be hired as a bartender.

In any, public, governmental position, there are limits on what the employee paid with tax dollars can say.

Any educational institution has the right to limit people who address their students with what they say. This is true for both educational institutions supported by tax dollars and educational that are private.

In the past, there have been Roman Catholic priests who were also distinguished scholars in scientific fields. If a SDA College were to invite such to address its students today. it would have the right to tell the priest/scientist to limit remarks to the scientific field.

[bonnie]

Employment has its limitations. One cannot refrain, on religious grounds, from selling alcoholic beverages, and expect to be hired as a bartender.

In any, public, governmental position, there are limits on what the employee paid with tax dollars can say.

[Gregory Matthews]

I am reminded of a non-SDA musical group that came to the college I was attending to put on a performance. A printed program was given to us.

At the beginning of the program an announcement was made that the musical group had been directed to delete the following litem: Ode to Tobacco.

For those who have never heard of the famous/infamous poems, Ode to Tobacco, there are two (2) such poems. Here is a bit on them with the first verse of each:

Quote:

The following is the first verse of "Mr. Leslie's Song";

There is a raPture, exceeding all measure, Left to enliven this sorrowful world ; Who does not think of that moment with pleasure, When first round his lips the wreathing smoke curled Parents look grave or sick, Call it a nasty trick, Say it is ruinous—say it is wrong ; Happy indeed his lot, Who, for these caring not, Puffs like a chimney pot All the day long.

That is evidently by a very different hand from the one whit...A wrote the famous ode beginning :—

At

—ED. Spectator.]

Thou who, when fears attack. Bidst them avaunt, and Black Care, at the hoiseman's back Perching, unseatest ; Sweet, when the morn is gray: Sweet, when they've cleared away Lunch ; and at close of day

Possibly sweetest."

The second one is probably better known and was first published about 1861. If you want to look it up, the entire poem can be found on the Internet.

[bonnie]

This doesn't answer my questions, I don't know

I assume they knew this man was a SDA pastor when he was hired.

Was he told at that time that in any postings he made concerning his beliefs it had to meet with public approval?

Had he chosen any subjects other than homosexuality and evolution I wonder if it would have been cause for concern?

Quote:

In the past, there have been Roman Catholic priests who were also distinguished scholars in scientific fields. If a SDA College were to invite such to address its students today. it would have the right to tell the priest/scientist to limit remarks to the scientific field.

This really does not have anything to do with being placed on paid leave.

It is interesting tho with the background of the man they re-invited doesn't cause any concern for the college

Becoming a bartender and refusing to serve alcohol doesn't have anything to do with this unless he refused to perform some aspect of his job.