Resident demands code of conduct and leader’s resignation after council salary vote; councilman issues apology

Public comment at the Town of Whitestown council meeting on June 11 focused on a recent council salary increase and a personal incident involving Councilman Smock.

Resident Matt McKee, of 5077 Brighton Drive, criticized a recent “108% salary raise” for council members and urged accountability. “I call for two things, to have the council draft a code of conduct for all counselors that they be held accountable… And I call for Dan to step down as council president,” McKee said, calling for changes in council leadership and behavior.

Earlier in the meeting Councilman Smock used a point of personal privilege to offer an apology for conduct during a May 5 exchange with another resident. He said, in part, “I’d like… to extend my sincere apologies to Mister Snowberger for my lack of restraint and actions,” and described a commitment “to serving all constituents with dignity and respect.”

The council president (name not specified) responded to McKee during the meeting and defended members’ motives and time commitment to the town, saying members “care about the town and sacrifice their time, their talent to serve this town.” The president also noted that the front-lawn exchange that prompted Smock’s apology occurred outside an official meeting and described the apology as a private resolution between adults.

No formal council action on salaries or code-of-conduct proposals was taken at the June 11 meeting; the comments occurred during the public-comment portion of the agenda.