A Texas mayor has stepped down after taking to social media to blast complaints from “lazy” constituents about power and water outages caused by the deadly winter storm.
Colorado City Mayor Tom Boyd announced his resignation Tuesday afternoon, just hours after his lengthy Facebook rant drew an angry backlash, KTXS-TV reported.
“No one owes you or your family anything; nor is it the local government’s responsibility to support you during trying times like this! Sink or swim, it’s your choice!” the official wrote that morning. “The City and County, along with power providers or any other service owes you NOTHING!”
“If you have no water you deal with out and think outside of the box to survive and supply water to your family,” Boyd continued. “If you were sitting at home in the cold because you have no power and are sitting there waiting for someone to come rescue you because your lazy is direct result of your raising!”
“Am I sorry that you have been dealing without electricity and water; yes! But I’ll be damned if I’m going to provide for anyone that is capable of doing it themselves!” the mayor added. “Bottom line, quit crying and looking for a handout! Get off your ass and take care of your own family!”
Boyd later apologized for his remarks in a separate post stating that he was quitting his role as mayor and wouldn’t be running for re-election.
“I would never want to hurt the elderly or anyone that is in true need of help to be left to fend for themselves,” Boyd wrote. “I was only making the statement that those folks that are too lazy to get up and fend for themselves but are capable should not be dealt a handout. I apologize for the wording and some of the phrases that were used!”
Texas has been battling the freezing winds, ice and snow that have swept across southern states, leading to widespread power cuts and at least 21 deaths.