Some Arlington Heights residents are demanding a local dentist withdraw his bid for a seat on the village's board of trustees after learning the candidate posted a Facebook meme they say is offensive to women.

It's estimated that millions marched on Jan. 21 in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York and Los Angeles, among other locations, in protest of statements made by President Donald Trump and to support other causes from LGBT rights to immigration reform.

Trustee candidate Joe Favia posted a meme on a relative's Facebook page that shows participants in marches, and states, "In one day, Trump got more fat women out walking than Michelle Obama did in 8 years."

As a result, a group of residents say they plan to be at the Monday night Village Board meeting, demanding that Favia withdraw his candidacy from the April 4 election. Favia is running unopposed.

"When I saw the post, I thought to myself, 'This is someone who is going to be a new trustee representing women, who are 50 percent of Arlington Heights?'" said Lauree Harp, one of the residents seeking Favia's withdrawal from the race.

"It's junior high stuff, and though he says he's sorry, it's too late, and it's disrespectful," Harp said. "The fact that he posted the meme at all shows me he will not be able to be objective, and I just don't trust his judgment."

Favia, 50, said Friday that while he can understand why some were upset, he said "there was no malice intended at all."

He also noted that it was not posted to his page.

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"I did not post it on my Facebook page, but posted it on my brother's account, and I didn't mean any harm by it," said Favia, a former president of the village's Chamber of Commerce, and a 2013 Heart of Gold winner for his volunteer service in the community.

"It's not in my character to be like that, and I apologize if I offended anyone," Favia added.

Resident Dave DiVito, a friend and neighbor of Favia's, said that posting the Facebook meme was "a lapse in judgment," but one he believes does not reflect Favia's character.

"He is an extremely dedicated resident to this community, and for someone to use this single instance and try to say it defines him is completely unjust," DiVito said. He said Favia is known for his sense of humor and cheerful demeanor.

"Joe is not a career politician, but a human being who made a mistake," DiVito said.

But resident Richard Baldino said he was so troubled after learning about the post that he decided to become a write-in candidate so that Favia would have some competition in the race. Baldino, one of two write-in candidates, said he found himself scrambling to submit the required paperwork to the Cook County Clerk's office before the deadline.

It's junior high stuff, and though he says he's sorry, it's too late, and it's disrespectful. — Lauree Harp

According to village clerk Rebecca Hume, Baldino and resident Mark Walker are both registered with the county as write-in trustee candidates for the April 4 election.

Three incumbent trustee candidates, Thomas Glasgow, Bert Rosenberg and Jim Tinaglia, also are running for re-election, with Trustee Joe Farwell opting not to run again.

"I had not really considered running in the past, but after what happened, I wanted to offer my neighbors a choice," said Baldino, an officer on the board of the First United Methodist Church in Arlington Heights. Baldino's wife, Mary Kay Baldino, is serving as his campaign manager.

"I have real concerns about the political climate today, and the fact that politicians feel like they can say whatever they want, even if it shows a real lack of respect to people," Baldino said.

Last month, Sen. Jack E. Sandlin, R-Indiana, posted the same Women's March meme that Favia used, but took down the message after it sparked a strong backlash from critics on social media.

Joe (Favia) is not a career politician, but a human being who made a mistake. — Dave DiVito

Arlington Heights Mayor Thomas Hayes, who also is running for re-election unopposed, said Friday that he was disheartened after learning of the meme posted by Favia.

Hayes said he plans to address the incident in a statement he will deliver before Monday night's Village Board meeting.

"I'm obviously very troubled and upset, and I found the post inappropriate and offensive," Hayes said. "But that being said, we all make mistakes, and if he does become a trustee, he has a lot to learn.

"As I will say in my statement on Monday," Hayes said, "I'm trying very hard to keep politics out of the Arlington Heights Village Board."

kcullotta@tribpub.com

Twitter @kcullotta

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