Rift grows between mayor, some on council

The Clarion-Ledger, 6/26/7

Mayor Frank Melton on Monday dismissed Councilwoman Margarett Barrett-Simon to news reporters as unimportant.

Melton, apparently aggravated by the council’s delay in confirming his two school board appointees, made the remark as Barrett-Simon left a special council meeting specifically to approve claims and payroll.

The acrimonious atmosphere reflects a widening chasm between the mayor and some council members in the wake of Ben Allen’s Friday resignation as Ward 1 councilman after 10 years.