ANDOVER — Embattled Veterans Services Director Alicia Reddin, who was just hired in March, resigned Tuesday after she was criticized for sending out a profane tweet about people who voted for President Donald Trump.
Town Manager Andrew Flanagan said in a statement: "This afternoon I accepted the resignation of Director of Veterans Services Alicia Reddin. I have concluded that Ms. Reddin’s resignation is in the best interests of the town and its veterans."
He went on to criticize Reddin for her social media post on Twitter.
"The tone of Ms. Reddin’s intemperate post on social media made it impossible for her to continue to be effective as director," he said. "I made my decision to accept the resignation after I spoke with a representative cross-section of the town’s veterans, with a range of age and experiences for the purposes of evaluating the impact Ms. Reddin's post may have on our veteran community.
"The position held by Ms. Reddin requires that she provide direct services to our veterans, including counseling and advice. Anyone holding that position must have the trust of all it serves and unfortunately that is no longer the case. It is my hope that the town at large understands the unique duties of this position and that it is my obligation to ensure first and foremost that the person holding the job can effectively perform those vital duties. Any other considerations must be subordinated to that obligation."
Reddin, who was just honored as top veteran services officer in Massachusetts, sent out a profane tweet in July that apparently calls out people who did not vote for Democrats in the 2016 election.
"You caused this," the tweet says. "Now: UN-(expletive) YOURSELF and get these slime sucking republican (expletives) out of office. REGISTER. VOTE BLUE. REPEAT."
A screenshot of the tweet was posted in a closed Andover Facebook group, and obtained by The Eagle-Tribune. The account the tweet was sent from is no longer active, and appeared to be Reddin's personal account.
"In all seriousness - if you or your family are not registered to vote, did not vote in the Mid-Terms or for a blue candidate for Congress and Senate…all of this is absolutely your fault. #Tre45on #Fbr #BlueTsunami2018," reads another tweet from that account.
Reddin could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
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