Objecting to controversial comments made two weeks ago by Mayor Craig Fletcher and Vice Mayor Tracy Carroll, resident and civic activist Linda Hillman addressed the City Council last night, delivering an ultimatum to Fletcher and Carroll to either resign or face a recall initiative.  “As a community we are outraged by the conduct you both displayed at the June 4 (Council) meeting,” Hillman said.

“I am offering the Mayor and Vice Mayor an opportunity to redeem themselves by voluntarily handing in their resignation from their City Council positions entirely, effective immediately, and if refused, I am prepared to start a petition to recall both of you from the Vero Beach City Council,” Hillman said, concluding, “What a disappointment you both have become.”

Preceding Hillman, former City Councilman Brian Heady, called on the Council to reorganize.  “I think you have the obligation tonight to ask for a reorganization and to replace the Mayor and to replace the Vice Mayor because they have clearly indicated that they do not belong in those seats, and I would ask you to do that tonight,” Heady told the Council.”

Heady played a video of an earlier City Council meeting in which he (Heady) was removed from the Utility Commission for using “the more colorful version of bull.”  Arguing for Heady’s removal, Fletcher said during that meeting, “I think we need to stand up and take action on this.  This is totally inappropriate, and I would make a motion to remove Mr. Heady from the committee. We cannot allow this sort of thing to happen…He’s crossed a very distinct line…You have to drive a stake in the ground somewhere, and I think we need to stand up and drive that stake in the ground this time.”

Heady argued that if the Council is to be consistent it must censure Fletcher and Carroll for comments that have been widely characterized as bigoted.

This story will be updated.