The Ladd village president’s use of a racial slur multiple times when referencing a local creek whose name change was under consideration during the village board’s previous meeting two weeks ago spurred a reaction from some residents and others when the board met again Tuesday night.

Village President Frank Cattani used a racial slur three times during the Ladd Village board’s last meeting while discussing the proposed name change. On Tuesday night, about 25 people attended the meeting, and Cattani’s use of the slur was a topic that drew both ridicule and support for the village president.

Two men, including the co-founders of Edgar County Watchdogs, a conservative government transparency group, spoke critically of Cattani’s comments and four Ladd residents voiced their support for Cattani.

John Kraft, a co-founder of Edgar County Watchdogs, which published an article about the mayor using the racial slur, told trustees Tuesday they should resign if they don’t understand the offensive nature of the racial slur.

“I first heard of Ladd a couple weeks ago after hearing the disgusting use of the [racial slur] by the mayor several times during a meeting,” Kraft said. “And then reading a newspaper article where a trustee said it’s just a slip of the tongue, it rolls off a lot easier, and it’s a lot easier to say isn’t it. That particular word, if that’s the way you think, you should just walk out and resign now. Both of you.”

Cattani’s use of the racial slur occurred during the village board’s Aug. 10 discussion supporting the change of the name of Negro Creek in Bureau County to Adams Creek. The proposal was for renaming the creek in honor of a Black man with the last name Adams who was an early settler of the area.

According to an audio recording of the meeting, Cattani said the creek was known decades ago by another name, and then said the racial slur.

“It’s been [racial slur] creek up to 1965, then after that they changed it from [racial slur] to Negro Creek. That’s the history of it,” he told his fellow trustees, after using the slur another time in an incomplete sentence.

Cattani left the meeting Tuesday escorted by the city attorney. He ignored Shaw Media’s request for comment. Cattani did not respond to a message left at a phone number listed in his name. A woman who answered said she would give the message to Cattani, but Shaw Media did not receive an immediate call back.

Village trustees supported changing the name of the creek, with one trustee, Dan Nelson, voting “absolutely not.”

Cattani said at the Aug. 10 meeting, “that’s where we grew up,” adding, “I can’t change what they’re calling it.”

Kirk Allen, a co-founder of Edgar County Watchdogs, pointed out that village trustees say the Pledge of Allegiance at every meeting, noting trustees should “treat everybody equally.” Allen addressed his comments to both the mayor’s language and another issue of favoritism raised with the board during its proceedings.

Following those comments, four Ladd residents spoke in support of Cattani.

“I’m here in support of our mayor,” said Dennis Schroeder of Ladd. “Lived in Ladd since the ’70s, I’ve known Frank since the ‘70s. He’s definitely not a racist. This media stuff has got to stop.”

Ladd resident Jim Piacenti referenced a Bible verse saying, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” in referring to those calling for the village president’s resignation.

“If you don’t believe me just simply google their names,” Piacenti said. “Why are their lapses of judgement forgivable while our mayor’s is not?”

Piacenti said he supports the village president 100%.

“I want to try to put things in perspective,” Piacenti said. “Our village president did not call anyone a racial slur, but simply stated a historical fact, about a local creek. Certain individuals are now calling for his resignation. There have been others who have done far worse things and have been allowed to keep their positions.”

Mary and Bob Coutts also said they support Cattani.

“I’m going to keep it simple, short and to the point. I support our village president,” Mary Coutts said.

Bob Coutts added: “I want to say I support the village of Ladd and its trustees. Although I don’t support racial slurs whatsoever, in my opinion, after some talk with people, I don’t think this was intended as a slur whatsoever. In my opinion, the mayor is very capable of doing his job.”

While no other discussion took place Tuesday regarding the racial slurs, more conflict was introduced Tuesday when Julie Ajster, attorney for Lyle Kirkman, asked to speak during an agenda item to restrict parking on the western side of Western Avenue. Ajster had requested the item be put on the agenda and she believed she would be able to speak on the matter on her client’s behalf.

Ladd Village Attorney Patrick Barry told Ajster she needed to speak about the matter in public comment and the Village Board was not going to allow her to speak at that point.

After the meeting, Ajster said she wanted to address the agenda item as well as ask Cattani if he called her a female slur.

Ajster continued to speak during the meeting after Barry told her to stop, and Barry asked a Ladd police officer to remove Ajster from the meeting. Ajster was escorted out peacefully by the Ladd officer and a Bureau County Sheriff’s deputy, after a lengthy discussion. She was not charged in the matter.

Barry declined to answer questions from Shaw Media after the meeting and so did Village Clerk Rhonda Bezely.