Chaos erupted during a city government meeting in Lake Worth Beach, Florida after one of the commissioners called out another commissioner for not following proper procedures for calling a vote.
"Are you telling me that you're going to keep me from talking right now?" asked commissioner Omari Hardy who was very upset about the way things were going.
"You're calling me disrespectful because I've interrupted people, but this gentleman has turned off peoples' lights in the middle of a global health pandemic. That's what that gentleman did," Hardy said.
The Mayor and another commission tried to stop Hardy from getting out of hand.
"This gentleman has had the ability to do any number of things. We could have banned large gatherings, we could have closed the beach. We could have put a moratorium on utility shut-offs."
According to The Washington Post,
The emotional meeting on March 19 is an example of the tug-of-war happening nationwide as politicians at all levels try to figure out the best ways to deal with the threats to health and the economy caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Palm Beach County has the third-highest number of reported cases in the state, with 22, although none are in the city of Lake Worth Beach.
At that point, Mayor Triolo called for a recess, which Hardy said was also against the commission's procedures.
"This is a banana republic is what you're turning this place into with your so-called leadership," Hardy said, as Triolo stormed out of the room.
Triolo then turned around to taunt Hardy as he continued yelling.
Things got heated last night, but I don't regret one word.
We could've directed the City Mgr to stop shutoffs last week, when I requested an emergency meeting for that purpose. The Mayor said no. And then we cut off lights dozens of families! #COVID19https://t.co/bR7GYXASPU
— Commissioner Omari Hardy 🚶🏾♂️🚲 🛴 🚉 🌳 🏘 🌇 (@OmariJHardy) March 20, 2020
Sources:
Washington Post | Fox News