Georgia wants more information on Walsh’s Background – Breaking Updated News

Photo by Terry Miller

Background check on Eric Walsh’s job offer in Georgia
‘Requires further investigation’

Pasadena’s beleaguered Public Health Director apparently leaves state

By Terry Miller

Pasadena’s loss is Georgia and the ‘Bible Belt’s’ gain apparently. Beacon Media has confirmed that Dr. Eric Walsh has reportedly been offered a job as District Health Director for the North Georgia Health District, according to Ryan Deal, Communications Director for the State of Georgia’s Public Health Dept.
Deal was quick to point out in a telephone interview Tuesday evening that Walsh’s job offer is contingent on several factors including an extensive background check “which has revealed further details need investigating…”
However, according to Pasadena ‘s Public Information Officer William Boyer, the controversial Dr. Walsh “Remains on administrative leave…and to the best of my knowledge has not submitted his resignation.”
Deal said the investigation on the background check is continuing and the assumption by Pasadena Star News that Walsh is hired and will start mid -June is not accurate and “ suffice to say, premature.”
Ryan Deal confirmed only that Walsh was offered a job but contingent on several checks and balances. It appears that “further details are required …” referring to Walsh’s background and extra-curricular activities with the Seventh Day Adventist Church where numerous YouTube videos show the associate pastor preaching his own version of the gospel.
Dr. Eric Walsh has been recorded preaching sermons condemning society’s growing acceptance of gay and lesbian people. Walsh leveled attacks at the American Psychiatric Association’s decision in 1973 to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness, saying those who supported it were “raised up by the (devil).”
In a sermon focused on the Bible’s story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Walsh also condemned schools for their tolerance of LGBT students.
“In our public school system they began to teach moral relativism,” he was recorded as saying. “They began to teach that there really is no absolute right or wrong. It’s more a matter of what you think or what you accept. And (according to that doctrine) if two adults agree to do something, it’s not wrong because they are both consenting adults. That is doctrine from the pits of hell. What makes something right is not based on man, it is based on God.”
On May 1, City Manager Michael Beck sent a press release to media outlets saying, “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 might have on his ability to effectively lead the city’s Public Health Department,” Beck said in a statement. “The 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.”
Walsh’s comments became common knowledge after he was slated to replaced Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black as Pasadena City College’s commencement speaker.
College officials said they replaced Black because they found stolen photographs of him and an ex-boyfriend engaged in sexual acts . The college, now has reversed its original decision and Black did speak at last Friday’s commencement at PCC.
Walsh was hired as the director of Pasadena’s Public Health Department in 2010. 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.
We spoke to Anthony Guthmiller, Executive Director of AIDS Service Center in Pasadena who said “This is sad news. My dealings with Dr. Walsh have not been reflective of the comments being made ( in the media). Our priority at ASC is to continue to ensure that our current and past clients continue to receive the support and services that we have provided the community for over 25 years.”

The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights issued the following statement regarding the drama which has unfolded in regard to this year’s Pasadena City College commencement speaker choice…or should I say 11th hour reversal.

Filmmaker Dustin Lance Black contends he was invited to give this year’s commencement address at Pasadena City College (PCC), and was then disinvited because a video of him having sex with his boyfriend surfaced. PCC officials say a student leader was to blame for inviting him. PCC then invited Dr. Eric Walsh, head of the Pasadena Public Health Department, to take his place. Then it was learned that he has made bigoted comments about gays, Muslims, and Catholics. So he stepped aside. Now Black has been formally invited to speak, and he has accepted.
Dr. Walsh has accused Catholics of idolatry for “worshipping” the Virgin Mary. Similarly, statues of the Virgin of Guadalupe, he says, are “a lie of Satan.” He has also slammed, and distorted, the Church’s teachings on evolution. Moreover, he contends the devil established Catholicism, and the pope is the “anti-Christ.”

“It is not worth attempting to rebut the man’s (Walsh) bigotry, so outlandish is it. Anyone whose judgment is that impaired has no legitimate role to play in public life.”
Regarding the decision to invite, or re-invite, Black, it smacks of cultural politics to say that “details of Mr. Black’s personal life have no place in public discussion.” But if the Internet videos of Dr. Walsh’s comments are sufficient to disqualify him, why are not the Internet videos of Black?
PCC and the Public Health Department are funded by the taxpayers. Regrettably, the city now has a major PR problem.” The Catholic League stated in a press release dated May 7

Walsh, is still collecting $193,600 and $56,900 in benefits while the city investigates during his “paid administrative leave.”

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