Mentor council gives resolution condemning Councilman Scott Marne a first reading after a night of public comments

Mentor City Council gave the three-page resolution 25‑R‑103 — which condemns Councilman Scott J. Marne for gross misconduct and requests his resignation — its first reading during the Feb. 18 regular meeting after a lengthy public-comment period filled primarily with criticism of Marne.

The night’s public comments included multiple residents who said a September incident in a restaurant parking lot led to an unjust criminal outcome for the other party and, they said, demonstrated racial misconduct by Marne. Speakers urged council to remove Marne or press him to resign. Haley Holben of Chardon told council she had not known Marne before the incident and said, “He is, without question, guilty of gross misconduct and malfeasance,” and that she believed the police report and body-cam footage provided sufficient grounds for removal. Arlene Davis, whose son is the person central to the September event, said the outcome was “unjust and unfair” and asked council for action.

Other speakers described the September confrontation as violent, recounted what they said were racial slurs and threats, and asked the council to hold Marne accountable. Several speakers referenced the police report and said body-worn camera footage was publicly available. Supporters of Marne also spoke; Ken Jevnakar and Councilman Marne described the September episode as a violent attack on Marne and his family, provided context about the assailant’s criminal history, and said Marne and his wife were victims. Marne declined to resign and said he had met with local NAACP leaders and revised an apology with their input; he said he would not resign and intends to run again in the fall.

Council President read the resolution’s title in open session and, following motions on procedure, moved the resolution to its first reading. A roll-call vote to give the item its first reading passed with all present council members voting yes. Council stated the resolution will be read again at the next council meeting for further consideration.

Why it matters: The resolution and the public comments brought sustained community attention and accusations of racial misconduct involving an elected official. Council’s next steps — whether to act further on the resolution at second reading, refer it to a committee, or take no additional formal action — will determine whether this becomes a formal disciplinary proceeding or remains a public-record matter for future meetings.

What council recorded: Council described the resolution as public record and said legal counsel advised against reading the document aloud in full at the meeting for concern about defamation claims; the resolution remained available to the public. Council recorded a first-reading vote and scheduled a second reading at the next meeting.

Details still not specified: The resolution text itself was not read aloud by council at length during the meeting; the meeting record indicates the resolution is available but was not publicly read in full because of legal counsel’s advice.

Provenance: Public comments on the resolution began with Haley Holben’s remarks about the September incident and conclude with council’s motion and roll call to give the resolution its first reading.