As much as I understand that you can only specify one person to not handle it, do you not have the common courtesy to respect his request and not just throw his opinion under the rug? You've got a differing opinion to the rest of the community (and a lot of the staff team) so it's understandable why he didn't want you to handle it, because you're evidently going to allow it to affect your judgement; because I can tell you for a fact I would, and so would any other staff member.

making this post because I find it much easier than messaging you about such a divided topic.

As much as I understand that you can only specify one person to not handle it, do you not have the common courtesy to respect his request and not just throw his opinion under the rug? You've got a differing opinion to the rest of the community (and a lot of the staff team) so it's understandable why he didn't want you to handle it, because you're evidently going to allow it to affect your judgement; because I can tell you for a fact I would, and so would any other staff member. making this post because I find it much easier than messaging you about such a divided topic.