A Columbus City Council member and local business owner has apologized publicly and removed a sign from his business window that drew complaints Thursday.
Tom Dell, owner of Dell Brothers Inc. clothing store in downtown Columbus, said the sign about his store’s temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was meant only as “lighthearted humor relating to martial arts, and certainly not any ethnic or people group.
“It certainly was never intended to be rude or insensitive,” he said.
The sign posted Wednesday read “Kung Flu Closure.” He also referred to Indiana’s governor as Gov. Eric “Big Bird” Holcomb on the sign.
Dell’s long track record on sensitivity over others’ plight includes strong support for racial issues handled via the Columbus/Bartholomew County Area NAACP Branch, and support for activities and programs of the Turning Point Domestic Violence Services. Plus, just last week he reached out to help with planning an alternative prom for local high school seniors.
Complaints over the sign came from people such as the Rev. Felipe Martinez, pastor of First Presbyterian Church. Martinez said that the attempt at humor “failed miserably.”
Dell said he apologized individually to those who complained directly.
