PORT TOWNSEND — Mayor Kees Kolff has drawn the ire of fellow council members and local veterans for omitting the Pledge of Allegiance from the start of some City Council meetings.
Last week, Kolff dispensed with the Pledge to read a selection from a local poet in honor of National Poetry Month.
That omission disturbed at least two councilmen as well as local veterans.
“We’re upset,” said Dave Richmond, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7014 in Port Townsend.
“My own personal opinion is that someone not comfortable taking the Pledge has no business being elected to office.”
The Pledge has traditionally been recited at regular and special council meetings, but not during workshops.
More than 20 veterans offended by Kolff’s decision not to read the Pledge last week plan to turn out en masse during Monday’s meeting to voice their concern.
Meanwhile, Kolff has apologized.
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