Tensions flare in Ely over councilman's offensive Facebook post

Ely City Councilman Dan Forsman is under fire after posting to a politically-themed Facebook group, suggesting the members should commit suicide.

The post, which was made last week and has since been deleted, was to the Facebook group known as “Pantsuit Nation.” The post included a photo of Dr. Jack Kevorkian and comments about suicide.

According to a report in The Timberjay newspaper, several Ely residents have called for City Councilman Dan Forsman to resign over the comment.

A city council meeting in Ely on Tuesday, Dec. 6, is expected to draw several hundred people.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Councilman Forsman’s father, Mike Forsman. Mike Forsman is the former mayor of Ely and for 20 years served as a St. Louis County Commissioner.

Friedrichs also spoke with Peta Barrett, owner of Women’s Wilderness Discovery in Ely. Barrett is among the Ely residents speaking out against Forsman’s social media post.