Pasadena’s 7th District Council Member Terry Tornek spoke by phone to CCN – Crown City News saying he was shocked and deeply troubled by Public Health Department Director Dr. Eric Walsh’s sermons that some consider to be homophobic. “There’s a disconnect between the Dr. Walsh I know and the Dr. Walsh who made these comments,” says Tornek.
Walsh cited a scheduling conflict and canceled his speaking engagement at Pasadena City College’s graduation on May 9th, after news reports brought to light comments in sermons Walsh had preached and which were posted on a website. In the sermons Walsh described homosexuality as a sin, and Disney Land and entertainers Beyonce and Jay Z as satanic.
Photo by Terry Miller – Beacon Media News
When asked if Dr. Walsh’s beliefs had negatively impacted his work as head of the City’s Public Health Department, Tornek said no. “There’s no evidence that his work has suffered,” says Tornek. “Dr. Walsh has behaved in an exemplary fashion, has been a terrific department head, and has helped people most in need in the city, which is part of why I’m utterly surprised by these comments.” Tornek went on to say Pasadena City Manager Michael Beck “did the right thing” by placing Walsh on administrative leave, and that he hoped people would not rush to judgment but wait until an investigation took place.
In a statement, Beck writes that the City will assess the impact of Dr. Walsh’s comments. “Dr. Eric Walsh has been placed on temporary paid administrative leave to provide the City of Pasadena the opportunity to complete an inquiry into statements made by him, in his private capacity, and to assess the impact those statements may have on his ability to effectively lead the City’s Public Health Department.”
Beck also announces how the Health Department will operate in Walsh’s absence saying, “During this time, Dr. Vivian Yeh is the City’s Acting Health Officer. Ms. Leticia Saenz will oversee administrative responsibilities for the Department. The Pasadena Public Health Department remains a strong and vital part of the City of Pasadena organization and remains dedicated to protecting the health and wellness of our entire community.”
Tornek says it’s possible Walsh’s comments will tarnish the work of the Health Department. He says whether Walsh will stay or go is probably not a decision the City Council would make since the head of the Health Department is a position the City Manager can hire or fire. Tornek says he’s getting a lot of feedback from the community. He says Walsh’s beliefs are not his. “That’s not a belief system I adhere to, but I respect people’s right to believe what they believe.”
Still, Tornek says, Pasadena prides itself on being inclusive, and a city rooted in facts. “Pasadena is a fact and science based community, which makes this an awkward and difficult situation.”
When asked if this situation was a freedom of religion or possibly even a first amendament issue like the Donald Sterling comments about the race of the friends the Clippers owner’s girlfriends brought to the NBA games, Tornek replied, “the two situations have more differences than similarities. This is more public, and Dr. Walsh’s public persona has been spotless. One is a known jerk. The other is not.”
Tornek says he hopes the situation with Dr. Walsh doesn’t end up in litigation.