A heated exchange at Essex council between the mayor and a councillor prompted most of council to walk out.
Mayor Ron McDermott says he's embarrassed when last Monday's meeting ended in an argument with councillor Randy Voakes.
"Since I start talking, he's not going to let me because I'm the mayor," McDermott says. "He's the guy (who) hates to look up to me. Just respect the position. You don't have to respect me, respect that position.."
Voakes says the problem stems from audience disruption, one of whom happened to be the mayor's daughter. "It stems from the gestures and theatrics, if you will, that was taking place in the audience," Voakes says. "It (wasn't) between me and the mayor in terms of the topic discussion, it was between me and the mayor in terms of what was being allowed to happen."
Despite that, Voakes says things shouldn't have gotten out of hand. "Am I proud about that? No I'm not," he says. "Was there a need to do that? That's questionable. But at the end of the day that type of approach can't continue."
McDermott says he regrets how he acted during the council meeting.
"He got under my skin. All the administration, my friends, my campaign manager, my daughter (they say) stay calm," McDermott says. "I was calm when I started, but he won't let me speak. The whole council is upset. Councillor Bondy, she's walking out. Deputy Mayor Meloche left."
Both Voakes and McDermott agree that council needs to sit down and come up with a resolution to address the issues. The mayor says he wants to hold a special meeting to discuss council's code of conduct.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC_HtBFs7Pc&feature=youtu.be