Tense exchange as Newport mayor, council members criticized for 'lack of leadership (W/VIDEO)

• Newport Mayor Tim Geraghty

Newport Mayor Tim Geraghty
• Dan Flood

Dan Flood

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A former congressional candidate from Newport leveled a barrage of criticisms at the city’s mayor, Tim Geraghty, and two other council members who are facing re-election this fall for what he said is a “lack of leadership.”

Dan Flood, a former Newport planning commissioner who last month ended his bid to win the Republican endorsement in the Fourth Congressional district, confronted Geraghty and council members Tom Ingemann and Bill Sumner at last week’s council meeting, saying they had failed in efforts to spark economic redevelopment and calling the trio out for what he called a “pitiful public display” at a meeting in February when the three engaged in a back-and-forth with former councilor Pauline Schottmuller.

At that meeting, Sumner likened Schottmuller to a “yippy, ankle-biting dog,” and another council member can be heard off-camera making a disparaging remark about the former council member who did not seek re-election in 2010.

In a tense exchange with Flood, Geraghty defended his actions as mayor and asserted the city is in better shape now than when he assumed the office in January 2009. He served as mayor previously from 1993 to 2000.

“As far as economic development, I’m not sure anybody is doing better than us,” Geraghty said, adding the still-sluggish economy had slowed development efforts in many cities.

Following his decision to end his U.S. House campaign, Flood said he intended to get more involved in local issues. Flood said in an interview that he has not ruled out a run for City Council this year.

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