Long Beach's Bendo: 'Emotional When Someone Says I'm Homophobic'

LONG BEACH, NY — The flag flap swirling around Long Beach Police Commissioner Ronald Walsh and City Council President John Bendo has not dissipated.

At issue, a complaint Walsh received about a Pride flag displayed on the boardwalk. He told an attorney for Riptides restaurant that they needed to move that flag — in addition to American and POW/MIA flags — off public property. But they could fly them on their premises, which they did to no backlash, according to Walsh.

"That is perfectly legal to do," Bendo said at an impromptu news conference, posted to his Facebook page.

Walsh told Patch that the controversy was "political nonsense."

Bendo said he has no problems with the flag and marched in Long Beach with revelers for Pride festivities. He was also in California for Proposition 8 "to protect my friends' right to marry who they want."

So, Bendo said, "I get a little emotional when someone says I'm homophobic."

Not only was the LGBT Network leading the charge for Walsh and Bendo's resignations, but Long Beach PBA President Brian Wells was also in opposition to them keeping their jobs.

Bendo, though, claimed the animosity started when Walsh was named commissioner in December and snubbing the PBA's selection, who was a longtime Long Beach police officer.

"From that day forward, they've done everything they can to smear Commissioner Walsh's reputation," Bendo said.