LEWISTOWN, Pa. -- A Mifflin County commissioner said she is not apologizing for something she posted on Facebook. Residents said commissioner Lisa Nancollas made anti-Islamic comments on social media on Saturday.
Nancollas posted a picture that read "No Islam Allowed" on her professional Facebook page. Another post said "If you don't like what I post on my wall, then don't look at my wall.
Some people who live in the county said what she did is unethical.
Mercedes Rupert of Lewistown said, "This is a very conservative part of Pennsylvania, but that is ridiculous. What she said is completely ridiculous."
But others argued she was exercising her rights.
Ruth Swartz, who lives in Lewistown, said,
"I think they have the right to their opinion of what they want to post on the wall."
Derek Moore, also of Lewistown, said, "I think that she had the right to say everything that she said because it's her right to freedom of speech. Those people that post that they're for Muslims or Islam or any immigrants. Those people who post their opinions about everything they have the right to."
Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish would not go on camera but gave us this statement:
"We were disappointed. But we do support free speech and freedom of expression. But this in no way represents Mifflin County."
And Nancollas is holding her ground. In a statement she said:
“When I was elected as a Mifflin County Commissioner, I took an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States and that includes our First Amendment rights of freedom of religion and free speech. As a Christian woman, my faith is very important to me and it helps guide me both personally and professionally.
But the true issue at hand is that Radical Islamic terrorists pose the greatest threat to our national security. Their sole mission is to destroy our freedoms and our way of life. We cannot be allowed to bend to their threats and we cannot ignore the threats that they pose to the United States of America.
Our country is at a cross roads and we can no longer afford to look the other way. Both President Obama and Hillary Clinton have put our national security at risk. The Obama-Clinton immigration plan is to simply grant amnesty to those seeking to enter our country. Meanwhile, Governor Wolf and Philadelphia Mayor Kenney have put our state at risk by allowing a sanctuary city right here at home.
All American citizens, no matter our faith, our race, or our background have a right, and I believe a duty, to stand up to protect our country from those seeking us harm. We have a right to speak up and demand that our leaders ensure that those seeking to enter our blessed country are coming here to contribute and make all of our lives better. I will work tirelessly to ensure that our lives are not in danger and I will never apologize for protecting our freedoms.”
Some people think that statement will hurt her.
Rupert said, "What I think about that is wait until the next election and see what happens."
Nancollas recently deleted her Facebook page and there is an online petition asking for her resignation.
