Sean C. Morgan
During the City Council’s discussion of a motion to hire a city manager pro tem Wednesday, May 18, Councilor Jeff Goodwin criticized the council’s integrity, setting off a heated exchange.
“I’m frustrated with this council. I’ve got to be honest with you,” Goodwin said.
“I don’t know that I want to say much more than that right now. I’m just frustrated with the double speech and people not really saying how they feel. I feel like it reaches the point of lying at some point.”
Councilor Dave Trask: “I resent the fact that you think we lied to you. I think that’s a crock, but that’s beside the point.”
Councilor Ryan Underwood: “I take great offense to your comment about the council lying and (being) wishy washy, whatever your words were.
“I take great offense to that. A lot of time, energy and effort from this chair goes into every decision that is made – without any consultation or very little consultation with other councilors, which is, I’m sure, with yourself – and you do make your own decisions.
“However, in your letter here (submitted by Goodwin because he thought he would miss the meeting), you said if the council insists on an outside interim manager having reviewed both resumes,
“I am in favor of Mrs. Wurster. What has changed your mind in the last 24 hours that you’re calling the council a liar? Yet right here 24 hours later you’re telling me you’re not in favor of this potential decision.
“You’re telling me you’re in favor of her, and now you’re telling me you’re not.”
Goodwin: “As to my comment as to the integrity of this council, I happen to know for a fact that there are councilors sitting at this table that have repeatedly said things to me in private about their feelings on a matter and are saying the opposite in public.
“And I find that very offensive for the people of this city. I’ve taken it as ‘Well, this is the way political people are.’ But you know what? I’m done with it. If you’re going to tell me one thing and then say something else when you’re up here in order to try to protect yourself, well…”
Mayor Jim Gourley banged his gavel and interrupted.
“Is that coming from me?” Underwood asked.
“I didn’t say it came from you,” Goodwin said.
“I have to rein this in,” Gourley said over the top of them. “The comments have to be to the motion.”
“I’m just simply responding to what was said to me,” Goodwin said. “That’s the origin of my comments.”
“I understand,” Gourley said, interrupting Goodwin. “I understand.”
“I’m tired of the duplicity about what we’re saying,” Goodwin continued. “What we’re saying is true had better be true. When we say it up here had better be how we really feel.”
“I appreciate that,” Underwood said.
– Sean Morgan