Councilwoman reads resolution urging mayor's resignation; motion to add it fails, mayor apologizes

Councilwoman Mary B. Galloway used discussion of an airport agreement to read a resolution condemning the mayor's conduct and urging his resignation, but the council did not add the measure to the agenda for formal action.

Galloway read language that "the city council condemns the mayor's actions engaging in an inappropriate relationship with an employee ... and hereby express its lack of confidence" and said the council "urges the mayor to resign in the best interest of the city." The reading occurred during consideration of an airport funding item and drew objections from other members who said it was unrelated to the item under discussion.

Mayor Rich Dupree objected that the matter was not on the agenda when the resolution text was introduced and a subsequent motion to add Galloway's resolution as a new agenda item (to be numbered 26) failed for lack of a second. Because the council did not vote to add the resolution, no formal censure or removal action was taken at the meeting.

Shortly afterward the mayor addressed the council in a personal statement. "I apologize to my family, to my supporters, and to this council for the personal indiscretion and the embarrassment that it's caused all of us," he said, adding that "there is no excuse" and asking the community for forgiveness as he works to rebuild trust.

Public comment that followed included supporters and critics. Cornelius Lawson White Jr., a member of the public who spoke at the meeting, said, "I'm supporting you, mayor," and urged forgiveness; others in public comment raised concerns about city matters unrelated to the resolution.

Because the resolution was not added to the agenda, the council took no formal disciplinary vote during the Sept. 10 meeting. Councilmembers signaled differing views in public remarks but the body adjourned without taking any further action on Galloway's proposal.