A resolution aimed at getting Springfield City Council members to attend more meetings in person led to a spat in council chambers this week.
Ward 4 Councilor Malo Brown took issue with the resolution, put forward by his colleague in Ward 7, Gerry Martin.
Introduced at Monday night's meeting, Martin's proposal sought to crack down on councilors frequently taking part in regular meetings via Zoom.
Virtual participation is allowed by the state – it’s a continuance of a pandemic policy that permitted government business to be conducted remotely. But, Martin argues, some members of the public have become frustrated with how often the council takes advantage of the policy.
“The public, they pay our salaries - they shouldn't expect anything less," the freshman councilor said. "For almost two years now, city employees - they've been expected to come into work in person every day, but there's a double standard for politicians. We get to use Zoom whenever we like: that's a double standard and I reject it entirely.”
Brown, who has frequently attended meetings remotely, dismissed the claim, countering that he's received calls from constituents over what he considers Martin's "grandstanding."
He also reminded the council that he's a staffer for Springfield State Representative Bud Williams, meaning his time's divided between Springfield and Beacon Hill.
The Ward 4 council member also called out Martin for allegedly not listing his cellphone number on the council's web page -- something he does himself.
“If you want to learn how to be a great city councilor, first, check the people who got their cell phone numbers, who show up to the different events, and aren't at their jobs with suit and ties on,” Brown said. “Our community was impacted by an epidemic and grandstanding is not needed. Shame on him. Shame on anybody who supports this, because I know what we've been through.”
WAMC notes the number listed for Martin, as well as several other council members, is the number for the Springfield City Council office.
Martin did not initially name any fellow city councilors when introducing his resolution, though he did quip that he was happy to see Brown at the meeting, and that he “almost forgot” what he looked like.
Earlier in the meeting, both Martin and City Council President Tracye Whitfield claimed Monday marked the first time in five years the entire body had convened in-person.
Whitfield also voiced opposition to the measure, stating that “showing up” for the job takes different forms and isn’t limited to sitting in council chambers.
The resolution was ultimately referred to committee.
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Audio for this story was provided by Focus Springfield.
