NBC

Tim Stewart Resigns From Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce After Controversial Facebook Comment

Former New Britain mayor and Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce President Tim Stewart has resigned after what some are calling a misogynistic Facebook comment during the State of the Union Address on Tuesday night.

The chairman of the Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce Gennaro Bizzarro said he accepted Stewart's resignation Saturday morning.

Stewart had been placed on administrative leave on Wednesday morning after the Chamber of Commerce learned about the post, according to Bizzarro.

"For the past three days, we at the Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce have been rocked by the aftermath of Tim's social media post. Within hours of learning of the post on Wednesday morning, I placed Tim on immediate administrative leave and expressed my profound disappointment in his inexcusable language," Bizzarro said in a statement Saturday.

"I issued an unequivocal condemnation of his post and made clear that Tim’s words did not reflect the feelings held by the members of the Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce, our staff or myself." he added.

According to Bizzarro, as Chairman, it was his duty to consult their by-laws and to confer with other board members about disciplinary authority and action. 

He said he attempted to speak with each of the 20 board members individually to get feedback, listen to their opinions and express his thoughts on the matter.

"I appreciate that Tim has stepped forward so as not to put the Chamber or our members through additional distress," Bizzarro said in a statement.

During President Trump's address, Stewart commented on a photo of some of the female Democratic lawmakers who attended the State of the Union dressed in white in a show of solidarity.

"**tches in heat," Stewart's comment said below the picture.

Stewart issued an apology for the comment on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon. 

"My comment was wrong and in poor taste in response to a particular time during the speech that I took offense to, Stewart said in his post. "This in no way excuses my behavior and I am deeply sorry to not only the women in my life but to all women for the remark."

The apology can be found in its entirety here.

Many were calling for Stewart’s resignation from the influential position for days.

“I was really encouraged and excited that he chose the option in resigning. I’m a little disappointed in the timeline,” said city council president Eva Magnuszewski (D).

Stewart also resigned from his positions on the New Britain School Building Committee and Mattabassett District Commission at the request of Mayor Erin Stewart, his daughter.

"To all of those asking; I'm embarrassed and mortified," Mayor Stewart tweeted earlier on Wednesday morning.

After Stewart resigned from the Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, Mayor Stewart tweeted "I am very proud of my dad for doing the right thing."

It isn’t the first time a Facebook comment has landed Stewart in hot water. Some called for his resignation from the chamber in 2017 after he offended some residents of city’s North Oak section in a discussion about blight, writing the “inmates continue to run the asylum.” He apologized and remained with the chamber.

"We were insulted we did not get his resignation… the chamber still needs to do a reflection and to correct the wrongs that were done to us," said Aram Ayalon (D), an alderman representing that district.

NBC Connecticut has reached out to Tim Stewart for comment, but we have not been able to reach him.

Contact Us