What to Know
- An ex NJ deputy mayor who resigned after making a Facebook post that compared immigrants to raccoons will keep his day job in another town
- Richard Blood, formerly deputy mayor for Mendham Township, has served as Roxbury's director of public works for nearly a decade
- Blood said Wednesday that his post was insensitive and hopes he will be able to walk it back one day.
The former New Jersey deputy mayor who resigned after making a Facebook post that compared immigrants to raccoons will keep his day job in another New Jersey township.
Richard Blood, formerly deputy mayor for Mendham Township, has served as Roxbury's director of public works for nearly a decade and was at work Tuesday. NJ.com reports the Morristown-based immigrant advocacy group Wind of the Spirit says it is not calling for Blood to be fired, but wants officials to take further steps to acknowledge the controversy.
Blood is a 16-year Roxbury Township employee who moved to Mendham Township, where he lives with his wife, in 1991, NJ.com reports, adding that he is paid about $114,000 annually in Roxbury, according to public records, and was receiving a $3,200 yearly stipend as Mendham Township's deputy mayor.
Roxbury Township Manager John Shepherd said he was notified of Blood's Facebook post, according to NJ.com. He said Blood works well with others and the town believes he can still perform his duties.
Karol Ruiz, co-president of Wind of the Spirit, says Blood has his rights to free speech, but the group wants a dialogue.
Blood said Wednesday that his post was insensitive and hopes he will be able to walk it back one day.
