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Lake Elmo councilperson is center of attention

Pioneer Press Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:41:51 -0700
Sometimes loud, often rude - but always talking
[Be sure to read the full article, especially the pie charts at the end. They present a very familiar picture. Stephan]

During a typical shouting match at a Lake Elmo City Council meeting, three people clamored to be heard. The mayor banged his gavel. But the council member at the end of the table kept on talking. "I am allowed to speak!" cried Steve DeLapp. Indeed he is. A Pioneer Press analysis of City Council meetings shows DeLapp talks more than everyone else on the council combined, including the mayor. And it's not just the quantity of DeLapp's talking that is drawing attention - it's also the tone. DeLapp scolds his colleagues, insults them and swears at them. The open warfare to rein in DeLapp escalated to the point that the council passed an ordinance to make him behave - complete with veiled threats to have him forcibly removed from meetings.

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