Lewiston mayor claims some city council members are trying to silence him
LEWISTON (WGME) – The Lewiston mayor says some members of the city council are trying to silence him.
Tuesday night, city leaders discussed an amendment to the city’s rules that could affect his participation in council debates.
The amendment would require the presiding officer, Mayor Carl Sheline, to remain neutral and detached during debates on city issues.
Sheline says this amendment is an effort by some members of the city council to take away his freedom of speech.
The amendment is designed to prohibit the presiding officer from expressing their opinion.
Some members of Lewiston City Council say if the mayor relinquishes the role of presiding officer, then he or she can join in a debate.
The Council President Lee Clement says the goal is to try to clarify the role of mayor using Robert’s Rules of Order, a standard for government meetings.
“He must relinquish the gavel or step back. He can make all the comments he wants. Nobody is telling him he can’t, that’s what the big error is,” Clement said.
Sheline says as an elected member of the council, he should have the right to speak his opinion.
“The mayor is elected in a citywide vote,” Sheline said. “If the mayor is not allowed to speak, it really removes representation from citizens of Lewiston.”
Clement also said Sheline has a history of overlooking council rules and making disparaging comments to councilors.
Sheline would not comment if he would or would not relinquish his role to join a debate if this amendment were passed Tuesday night.
