GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – City leaders behaving badly, that was the reality show brought before a Green Bay committee Wednesday.
Two separate requests on the agenda had to deal with recent sniping involving Mayor Jim Schmitt and Alderman Guy Zima. Schmitt wanted a review of Zima’s conduct from an April 8th council meeting, where Zima allegedly swore at and flipped off a constituent.
Alderman Tim DeWane wanted a review of the Mayor’s conduct after he allegedly bullied Economic Development Authority members to support a psychiatric hospital proposal.
“Everybody in this room knows what this is, this is the bologna of Mr. Schmitt,” said Zima, who serves on the city’s Personnel Committee hearing these requests.
“We as a council need to come up with some type of rule so this kind of behavior can finally stop,” said Schmitt.
Those two requests were received and placed on file. The next step now is at next week’s full council meeting, a discussion of a personal conduct policy will take place.
“This committee has no standing and for you to participate in this charade is beneath the dignity of the council,” said Zima.
Afterward, Schmitt was asked if he thought he was a bully.
“To tell people to vote in the best interest of the community, is that bullying?” said Schmitt. “I mean that’s what I do. I probably say that every day. That’s just something he trumped up.”
Schmitt went on to say he considers himself a passionate leader who wants to do what’s best for the city.