CHESAPEAKE, Va. — The Chesapeake City Council meeting heated up on Tuesday when a back-and-forth spat started between Mayor Rick West and current Councilmember and mayoral candidate Don Carey.
Carey called the council's attention to concerns over Chesapeake's charter, which consists of a mayor and eight elected members, prompting some groups to push to replace the existing at-large system with single-member voting districts.
Carey moved to add an advisory referendum requesting public input to the May 28 agenda when the council would take an official vote.
Mayor West quickly shot down that move, however.
"I object to that request," said West. "I really think asking citizens on a question we don't have enough information to go on is very premature. That's my objection to that."
The mayor then moved to close the meeting but Carey interrupted to ask for an explanation of the objection, resulting in a back and forth about the bylaws.
"You are out of order, sir," said West.
Carey continued to call for further explanation of what bylaws allowed for such an objection, garnering support from Councilmember Ella Ward about the proposed referendum.
"I've asked you under what authority are you making your statements and you've given no statute, no statement within our laws and procedures to substantiate your objection," said Carey. "I'm simply asking for you to show us based on our rules and procedures that we've voted on how I am wrong and what I'm requesting. And you are not giving me anything other than 'I don't like it,' which I think is premature and that is out of line."
West responded: "I didn't say I didn't like it. I said we're not ready ..."
The spat eased once Councilmember Amanda Newins butted in, eventually allowing West to call for a close of the meeting.
This comes amid Carey's mayoral run, which, if successful, would unseat Mayor West in November.
A video recording of the entire city council meeting from Tuesday can be found on the city's website here.
