A promise for more civility during meetings by members of the Pontiac City Council in January had to be kept, after an August incident.
A heated verbal exchange between District 1 Councilwoman Melanie Rutherford and a resident during Pontiac City Council’s Aug. 23 led to a resolution Tuesday censuring Rutherford. The resolution expresses disapproval but carries no penalty.
The exchange happened off-camera during the meeting as Rutherford was stepping out of the room.
In January, council members unanimously agreed to a set of ethics and rules, including an agreement that members of council would not speak before being recognized by the person presiding over the meeting, and then keep remarks on topic. The rules also require members of council to “maintain a courteous tone, and avoid interjecting a personal note into debate.” The resolution also serves as a reminder that members of the audience “shall not engage in disorderly or boisterous activity” that disrupts meetings.
“We still want to make it official that this is an appropriate response,” said Mike McGuinness, the council’s president, noting that should it happen again the council can take further action. He said the board’s goal is to conduct business as professionally as possible.
Rutherford apologized during last week’s meeting to those present, those watching online and to her daughter for losing her temper.
During discussion on the resolution, Rutherford heard support from fellow members of council.
District 5 Councilman Rev. William Parker said that while members of council should be held to a higher standard, “because we submitted ourselves to a place where higher standards are necessary, yet we know when people err, justice is tempered with mercy. Had it not been for God on our side, we all could have been in that position,” he said, referring to members of the audience when he added, “We also recognize that some people come with the purpose of pushing buttons.”
Parker apologized to the public for the incident involving Rutherford, “because we are one body” and the council represents more than 61,000 residents.
District 2 Councilman Brett Nicholson said that during the outburst several things were said “on the opposite of this dais that I felt were abusive language.”
District 6 Councilwoman Kathalee James said she supported the resolution because “where we can and do hold others accountable, we are obligated to hold ourselves accountable” despite what was said by members of the public.
The resolution passed in a 7-0 vote, including Rutherford’s.
Rutherford again apologized at the end of Tuesday’s meeting saying it would be her last apology for the incident.
She said she didn’t want “to be condemned for a moment” adding she would not let others define her “because of a mistake, but I will continue to be the best councilwoman I can be.”
McGuinness called Rutherford’s acknowledgement and apologies admirable.
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