By Michael D. Clark
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MIDDLETOWN - City Council members clashed again Tuesday over a proposed code of conduct for council, with some pointing to the heated exchanges of recent meetings as ample evidence the code is necessary.

Mayor David Schiavone this month proposed such a code, which would include a provision requiring the seven-member council to refrain from abusive conduct, harassment, personal charges or verbal attacks on the character or motives of other council members.

Schiavone freely admitted his proposal was prompted by Councilwoman Laura Williams' behavior in public and executive council meetings.

Williams had earlier unleashed a verbal barrage toward Schiavone and some other council members, accusing them of backing the code to muzzle her as an elected official.

Tuesday was the council's second discussion of the suggested code and Schiavone cited Williams' earlier outburst.

"Ms. Williams demonstrated for us why we need this policy," he said.

Williams has publicly called Schiavone a liar during previous public meetings, and at other times has been sharply critical of his tenure as mayor during the last year.

Schiavone, a 10-year veteran of council, has also accused Williams of using an "ethnic slur" toward him during a recent, nonpublic executive session of the council.

"She said, `You are not the Godfather here,'" he said.

When asked about the comment and whether it referred to Schiavone's Italian-American heritage, Williams said, "He is taking what he wants to take from that."

She accuses the mayor, Vice Mayor Nancy Nix and Councilmen Perry Thatcher and Earl Smith of conspiring against her by backing the code of conduct.

Moreover, Williams - who was council's leading vote-getter in her last election - dismissed the code as unnecessary and an impediment to her functioning as an independent-minded, outspoken council member.

"In my opinion ... the mayor has made it very obvious his goal is to get me off council," said Williams, who is up for re-election this fall.

A half-dozen supporters of Williams spoke against the code.

No vote is scheduled but the code will likely be discussed again, and may be voted on, at council's April 1 meeting.

E-mail mclark@enquirer.com