Mayor Sharon Schirman's Public Post

Published within the last hour on Facebook:

"Let’s clear the air.

I know the rumors have been flying for months. I waited to speak because I wanted the dust to settle — though it’s honestly ridiculous that I should have to “defend” myself against things that were never true to begin with.

What I Stand Against:

I do hate certain things — not people, but behaviors and conditions that hurt communities:

Dishonesty, manipulation, and people who encourage hate.

Wasting hard‑earned tax dollars.

Allowing people to live in misery instead of helping them rise.

Jumping on a hate bandwagon without doing any research.

Anything that divides a community that once stood together.

People who enjoy watching others struggle or fail.

Hurting children or hiding important things from their parents.

Putting children into adult situations or conversations.

Twisting words to fit an agenda and dragging others into deceit.

Grandstanding to seem “better” than others.

Filth, unsanitary conditions, and destruction of property.

Taking advantage of good-hearted people who are trying to make the world better.

What I Love:

I love people who want better — not just for themselves, but for others.

Happy people.

People who rise after struggle and encourage others to rise too.

People working to improve their lives every day.

Small towns that come together to lift their community.

The innocence of children who haven’t been exposed to things they shouldn’t.

Long-lost friendships and families reunited.

People who bring new ideas, businesses, and opportunities to a struggling economy.

Hardworking, salt‑of‑the‑earth people.

What I Don’t Care About:

I don’t care who you marry, who you love, or what your past looks like. I care about who you are today and who you’re becoming.

Over the past few months, people have twisted my intentions into things they are not. They’ve claimed that everything I do — or don’t do — is worthy of hate. Some have even said I deserve death. I’ve received death threats from people I’ve never met, based solely on lies they heard from others.

To my friends who were afraid to speak up while my name was dragged through the mud:

It’s okay. I understand. When an angry online mob forms, it’s scary to be the one who speaks against it. People can be cruel. I’m taking the hits — you shouldn’t have to. I still love you.

For those who know me, you know that when I said, “I don’t want to divide this community,” I meant exactly that. Some people chose to ignore it — either because they don’t know me or because they only know me through hate.

For the record:

I do not hate anyone based on their personal choices or identity. I have many gay friends. Several have told me they simply want to be treated like everyone else — not singled out, not spotlighted, not made into a political symbol. They asked me not to divide the community, and I agreed.

But some people twisted that into something personal or hateful. It wasn’t. It was respect. What I’ve received in return has been anything but respectful. I’ve seen m urd erers treated better than I have these past few months.

I don’t know where the idea came from that I “hate homeless people.” I don’t. I want better for everyone.

What I do hate is trash in our parks, needles where children play, drug dealers killing people and walking free, and families destroyed by addiction.

I have housed homeless individuals. I have helped people in recovery. I have volunteered countless hours to combat homelessness. Many of the people calling me “anti‑homeless” have done far less to help than I have.

I am far from perfect — but I know who I am. I am not a hater. Those who truly know me understand that.

Let the record show:

I love this community so deeply that the pain of what’s happened has been destroying me from the inside. And yes — I know that makes a few people smile.

But I’m still here.

Still standing.

Still loving this community, even when it doesn’t love me back."