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Resident criticizes council member for public accusation at prior budget meeting
Summary
A Stevensville resident told the council that an accusation by Council member Barker that Council member Smith fell asleep at a prior budget meeting was inappropriate and contrary to council conduct rules.
A Stevensville resident identified as Deborah addressed the Town Council during public comment on July 16, urging the council to observe decorum after an earlier meeting. Deborah said Council member Barker publicly accused Council member Smith of falling asleep during a previous budget meeting and that the accusation should have been handled privately.
Deborah cited the town’s rules governing council conduct, saying members must preserve order and should not make impertinent or slanderous remarks while the council is in session. “We townspeople, we are your bosses. We pay your salaries,” Deborah said, urging members to adhere to the code of conduct.
Why it matters: Deborah said public accusations damage public trust and the council’s credibility. She thanked Council member Brown for calling a point of order at the meeting when the remark occurred.
Council members did not take formal disciplinary action during the meeting. The complaint appeared in the meeting’s public-comment period, where residents can raise items not on the agenda.
