10-10-2016 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 10, 2016 7:00 o'clock p.m. MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT (continued) McMillan noted there have been a lot of personal attacks going back and forth. McMillan stated Gabriel Jabbour is a former mayor of Orono, a former council member and a former Planning Commissioner and that he has put a lot of effort into the City. McMillan stated Mr. Jabbour is very passionate about his views. McMillan stated while Council Member Walsh may be coming at this as something personal to him, she also has been feeling personally attacked. McMillan stated she has seen on Council Member Walsh's Facebook page where he is calling her a queen who dictates whatever at her whim. McMillan stated she also has read on social media where Council Member Walsh is disparaging her. McMillan stated the personal stuff has been going on for a while, but that now it is coming at him, all of a sudden he wants to do something about it. McMillan stated Gabriel Jabbour has done an excellent job as LMCD representative and that she is not in favor of removing him. Walsh stated he can appreciate the fact that he is an elected official and not an appointee. Walsh stated he is talking specifically about an appointee that reports to the Council who goes to a senior level person in the City and calls him a criminal. Walsh stated that person has told other people the same thing and that in his view it is not something that can be condoned as a Council or by any senior staff that would have that happen to them by an appointee that represents the City. Walsh stated if Mayor McMillan does not agree that that is a problem, that is her right, but that he is bringing it up because he believes it is a problem. Walsh stated he would care if someone said it about Mayor McMillan, Council Members Printup or Cornick, and that an appointee of the City should not be disrespectful. Walsh questioned where it would end if they cannot get respect from an appointee, and that in his view it needs to come to a discussion so the Council can vote on it. Levang noted Council Member Walsh has said to her in this room that a certain vote was a chicken shit vote, which is unreasonable. Levang stated Council Member Walsh now expects her to take a personal issue that he has with Gabriel Jabbour and make it the business of the City. Levang noted Council Member Walsh has also said disparaging things to Council Member Cornick and called his votes tainted and has disparaged City Engineer Adam Edwards. Levang stated they have all taken that from Council Member Walsh, but because Mr. Jabbour has allegedly said something outside of this chamber about Council Member Walsh, he now wants to vilify him. Levang stated that is his personal issue and he should handle it personally and not bring it into this room. Walsh stated the problem is that he did not bring it into this room but that it was brought into the room. Levang stated it was brought up by him. McMillan stated he does not know if he has consensus for his request. Cornick stated they are elected officials, and given that position, they should expect to sit up at the dins and take everything they get from any direction. Cornick commented it is part of their j ob, and that if someone disagrees or does not like him, he has thick skin. Cornick stated he does not feel it is a reason to retaliate against someone. Page 22 of 26