WESTOVER — Councilmember-at-Large Steve Andryzcik apologized to Westover resident Charles “Allie” Jackson for name-calling which occurred on June 7.
“I do apologize for my choice of words to Mr. Jackson, and I apologize to council for breaking an established protocol and [to] the mayor,” Andryzcik said during Monday night’s city council meeting.
Jackson accepted Andryzcik’s apology.
“My intent was not to insult anybody, and I stated that when I first got up,” Jackson said. “The only thing that I was saying was if you’re going to operate with time-sensitive materials, at least date stamp it so we can honestly say when the city received it.”
During the June 7 meeting, Jackson, asked council members about the recent appointment of Councilmember-At-Large Duane Tater, including why letters of interest for council seats were not date stamped. He also questioned why City Attorney Tim Stranko attends all council meetings and has a platform to speak during each meeting.
“Council, you can take it for what it’s worth or you can sit on your hands and do like you’ve done in the past and not do anything to address it,” Jackson said at the June 7 meeting. “That’s been my experience coming to council meetings.”
Andryzcik shook his head at Jackson, to which Jackson told Andryzcik not to shake his head at him. Andryzcik then called Jackson “an ass” as Jackson returned to his seat. In response, Jackson asked, “You called me an asshole?” Andryzcik replied, “Ass — not asshole — ass. Yeah, I did.”
During Monday night’s meeting, Mayor Dave Johnson also made a statement to address “several allegations made about recent city council meetings.”
The first allegation Johnson addressed was in relation to Jackson’s concern about criteria for selecting council members. He said councilmembers each received all applications submitted by those interested in the vacant council seat.
“The selection vote was governed only by each councilor’s individual judgment of the candidates volunteering to serve,” he said. “Neither the city code, nor the city administration, regulates that judgment.”
Johnson then addressed Westover landlord Richard Panico’s recent property dispute against the city.
“Mr. Panico has acted unilaterally to erect a roadblock on a street used for over 50 years by his neighbors and the public and has designated a no-parking zone with yellow paint, causing an innocent citizen to have the vehicle towed away,” Johnson said. “The city will not allow the chaos of private citizens acting outside the law to change long established public ways or public parking.”
Johnson went on to say the city has repeatedly informed Panico and his lawyer that the city will “defend the rights of the public and his neighbors until he is able to prove to the court his allegations of trespass.”
Other business
A request to introduce an urban deer hunt in Westover was also addressed, which would allow experienced bowhunters to bow hunt within city limits with restrictions.
If introduced, the city would be responsible for several aspects of the hunt, which Johnson said he was not previously aware of. Because of the amount of work and planning it would place on the city, Johnson said he wants council to carefully look over the list of requirements before making a decision.
“This is something we want to take a hard look at,” Johnson said. “We don’t get a lot of complaints about the deer; we see a few on Facebook, occasionally.”
Johnson said the topic would be addressed again during the next council meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 6.
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