Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway wants an apology.
He said City Councilman Anthony Coleman did such a thorough job of disrupting orderly debate at a recent meeting that Coleman should tell the whole council he's sorry.
If Coleman doesn't apologize at the June 10 council meeting, Dunaway wants Coleman reprimanded.
"I'm not looking for a pound of flesh, but Anthony needs to do it for himself and the city as a whole," Dunaway said in an interview.
When the council gathered Wednesday for a work session, Coleman didn't say what he'll do. He noted that Dunaway didn't come to him to discuss the conflict, as had happened in the past, but instead sent a letter to the entire council.
"When you sent that letter and I read it at home, it kind of backed me in a wall to make me feel like you were giving me an ultimatum," Coleman said.
Dunaway said Coleman's "public outbursts" have caused problems at several meetings. The men's tempers flared May 13 while the council discussed a bond referendum on parks and recreation. Coleman, who opposes the referendum, interrupted Dunaway several times.
At one point Dunaway said: "I said I have the floor Mr. Coleman; you will have a chance to speak. You will abide by Robert's Rules of Order ..."
"No, I won't abide by anything," Coleman said.
Dunaway thinks Coleman has violated his oath of office and council protocol. A reprimand would be a statement expressing the council's displeasure with Coleman, but it would involve no fine or punishment. It takes effect with a majority vote by the council.
On Wednesday, the council didn't move to put the reprimand on the June 10 agenda. As mayor, Dunaway can do it himself. He said he's waiting to see whether Coleman offers to apologize.
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