Resident Dan Eidson demanded apologies during the May 5 Cuba Board of Aldermen meeting, saying current and former city officials and parks appointees had made several allegations against him of displaying inappropriate behavior around children.

He announced during citizens’ participation that he and his wife have been Mr. and Mrs. Claus for many organizations around Cuba and have been vetted by many schools in the surrounding area. He added that they have never had to “endure allegations of misconduct or inappropriateness around children, having well over 10,000 encounters over the years.”

Eidson said that he had never heard any of these allegations until he started running for alderman on the April 7 ballot.

“Honestly, the last place I thought I would have to endure these were from the city government,” Eidson said. “I’m aware of an executive session called by, then mayor Kevin Copling. I was made aware by a person who was in attendance, and left the discussion when he realized the subject matter of this executive session didn’t fit the requirements. I was not in negotiations for land, I was not an employee or volunteer of the city and I was not in current litigation with Cuba, so I’m not quite sure how the discussion alleging inappropriateness at the city pool was going to play out.”

He also claimed that the Cuba Parks and Recreation Board’s now former president, Karen Groom, had made an allegation during their last meeting on April 28. Eidson had offered to donate his time and use of DJ equipment, like he did when he was on the parks and recreation board.

“As I was leaving this desk, Karen Groom said, and I quote, ‘Of course he wants to help with the pool around all the kids,’” Eidson said.

He is now demanding that Copling, City Clerk Lainie Garbo, Groom and parks and recreation board member Karina Rice make and read a written apology during open session at the May 19 board of aldermen meeting.

“Only after I have received these apologies can we move forward without the city being involved in litigation,” Eidson said.

Citizen Cyndi Mercer added that the allegations stem from reports that the pool staff was not doing their job appropriately, according to the Red Cross and state statutes and standards.

“What actually happened that evening is because things have fallen on deaf ears…(Staff were) on stand with a microphone, dancing, having their phone…not watching the water,” Mercer said.

She claimed that Eidson was taking a photo or video of some of the staff not doing their job appropriately to send it to the board.

In other business, the board went into discussing and approving department hirings.

Hiring for a journeyman or apprentice for the electric department is tabled pending interviews.

Tony Hudson was approved for hire as a natural gas laborer/technician with a 6-0 vote.

A motion to advertise bidding for a copier lease at Cuba City Hall was approved with a 5-0 vote.