I agree with that assessment, at least the loved in the Mayberry, not so loved in the WR bit. It usually goes that way, too. I can think of a few others. Can’t think of anyone loved in the WR who is disliked in the Berry, though.
His ban was at the start of the year, therefore my memory is hazy with regard to his banning. It’s probably for the best. Like I said at the time, politics can be tumultuous, and a guy like Gene, who was doing a cool thing (traveling the country), got swept up in it, imo.