What happened

Community member Randy Algoe was cut off by Mayor Patrick McNulty during the public comment portion of this week’s City Council meeting.

"You're done," the mayor said, before signaling police staff to escort Algoe out of City Council chambers.

Why it matters

Island Matters previously reported that City Councilman Joe Ricco allegedly told a friend of Algoe’s that “He (Algoe) better get it through his head that he better do whatever we tell him to do or else he will never get anything done in the city again.”

Algoe made that allegation during the public comment section of a previous City Council meeting. He did not name the friend who told him about Ricco’s alleged comment.

In a Facebook post days later, Ricco did not address Algoe’s accusation made during the City Council meeting, but said the Council has tried to work with Algoe and was disappointed in the resident’s comments.

At this week’s meeting, Algoe was not allowed to speak, according to McNulty, on the grounds of the city’s ordinances. Algoe argued that it does not have the power to supersede his Constitutional freedom of speech rights. McNulty agreed but argued that the city has laws that they follow.

Algoe continued as McNulty cut him off again and motioned for police staff to escort him out. Algoe notified the council that he was leaving. He handed City Attorney Ed Cyganiewicz a cease-and-desist letter he wrote for the slanderous statements allegedly made about him during council meetings and by Councilman Ricco on social media.

McNulty again spoke over Algoe, asking him to end his comments. The mayor said the Council is going to follow the law and asked that Algoe respect those laws. Algoe spoke once more and was talked over by McNulty and the resident replied, "So if I don't say what you want me to say, then I'm doing something illegal, and you're allowed to cut me off."

"Perfect, thank you," said McNulty.

What now

Algoe has delivered his cease and desist letter to the council.