MAYOR-ELECT COMPLAINS ABOUT CITY COUNCIL APPAREL

Sun Journal - A disagreement over [Auburn] City Council decorum and attire has two councilors angry at the incoming mayor. Mayor-elect Dick Gleason said he stands by statements he made last month calling for neater dress at City Council meetings.

"I'm not asking for a jacket and tie," Gleason said. "All I'm saying is that I've seen instances where councilors came to meetings in jeans and shorts. I think it's up to us as city leaders to set an example, especially for children who watch us."

Councilors on Monday later voted to downsize the Dec. 7 inauguration, a move one councilor said was being done to punish the mayor-elect.

Councilors Dan Herrick and Mike Farrell said they were offended by some pre-election comments Gleason made to the Danville Grange last month. . . . "I think there have been times when they've come directly from the barn to the City Council meeting, and I don't think that's how it should be," Gleason told Grange members. "I think they should take a shower and at least put on a shirt."

Herrick, a contractor by trade, took offense at that. "I have never come here without taking a shower," Herrick said Monday night."Believe it or not, I have hot water, too. I even have floors in my home."

Clothes don't make the man, Herrick said.

"I had a mind tonight to come here in bib overalls and straw hat, and just walk out of the barn without taking a shower," Herrick said. . . And if anybody out there feels they want me to wear a suit, coat and tie, in the next election in two more years, please come forward in a suit, coat and a tie and run against me."