I just want everyone to know that these comments were not coming from me, and that I condemn them wholeheartedly ... it was Jay P not me.”

Rep. John 'Jay' Edwards

My only defense is my frustration with the characterization of our police as being jack booted thugs. ... In the future I will endeavor to limit my comments to useful information.”

Jay P. Edwards

TIVERTON — A Facebook remark by a new Tiverton Town Council member has provoked well over 400 comments, among them several calls that he resign from the post he won back in November. 

And some of the replies have hit the wrong targets as years-long confusion continues over the town’s various Jay and John Edwards who hold public offices — they’ve held some of the same offices and two even appeared on the same Budget Committee ballot a couple of years ago.

Jay. P Edwards, formerly of the Tiverton Budget Committee, now on the Town Council, became embroiled in a dispute with a local man that spilled over onto the Tiverton Happenings Facebook page.

An excerpt from the spat was posted to Tiverton Happenings by the 21-year-old man who asked, “anyone else get attacked by our Tiverton town councilors in your comment section?? I don’t like the thought of a homophobe being part of decision making in our town … pretty disgusting and extremely unprofessional.”

The exchange included this back and forth beginning with the man commenting on police and the need to “place more focus into crime prevention through community …”

Mr. Edwards replied, “At least I’m a grown MAN and not a whining brat. Save your socialism for the social workers. Your utopia will not survive in the real world.”

The other man replied, “Jay Edwards, sounds a lot like you’re the one whining on my time line, if you’re so mad about it, get the **** off my page!!”

To which Mr. Edwards fired back with an expletive laden two-sentences including mention of “your boyfriend.”

Within hours, Mr. Edwards posted an apology.

“My only defense is my frustration with the characterization of our police as being jack booted thugs. Again, my comments were my own and are not a reflection of the Town Council or any part of Tiverton government. In the future I will endeavor to limit my comments to useful information.”

Asked for further comment about the exchange and about calls for a recall or resignation, Mr. Edwards declined. Asked if he regretted the remark he replied “Yes”; when asked whether he might resign, he said, “No.”

Confusion over the three Edwards prompted one person to post “An Edwards Who’s Who” complete with photos. The three are:

• John G. “Jay” Edwards IV, state representative, District 70, and former member of the Town  Council.

• John Edwards V, son of John “Jay” Edwards IV, former member of the Town Council and now a member of the Budget Committee.

• Jay P. Edwards, former member of the Budget Committee, now on the Town Council.

When it received a letter signed by Jay Edwards several months ago, the Sakonnet Times asked “Which Jay Edwards?”

“I am ‘The real’ Jay Edwards,” the writer (Jay P. Edwards) replied. “The State Rep is John Edwards.” He said he would include his middle initial ‘P’ in future submissions.

Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth), the Majority Floor Manager of the House of Representatives, condemned the statements made by Tiverton Town Councilman Jay P. Edwards. He also wants everyone to know they’re not related.

“It’s caused a huge amount of confusion, since I’ve been known as “Jay” all my life,” said Representative Edwards. “I’ve been asked about his comments by people who were confused, thinking we were the same person. I just want everyone to know that these comments were not coming from me, and that I condemn them wholeheartedly.”

He added that “some of his letters to the editors have been attributed to me by my constituents.  I have received calls asking me why I wrote certain things when it was Jay P not me.” 

The comments, which Rep. Edwards called “hurtful and bigoted” were “out of line for anyone but even more so for someone who has been elected and given the peoples’ trust. It will now be up to his constituents how this plays out.  I just want to reiterate that he has no connection to me or my family.”

Even after the apology, some posters continued to voice their displeasure over the comment.

“He shouldn’t have a position of power if he is homophobic. Some things actually warrant a little outrage I guess,” one said.

Which brought this reply: “Come on stop this nonsense. Stop being offended by everything this is getting ridiculous.”

“I would like the residents of the Town of Tiverton to file papers and get signatures for the Recall of councilman Jay P. Edwards for conduct unbecoming of a councilor. We do not need people like this as our elected persons,” said another.