LAKE PARK, Ga. — The mayor’s wife demanded greater accountability from council members at the Lake Park City Council meeting Tuesday evening.

“We are breaking Sunshine laws,” said Julie Schindler, a Lake Park resident, who is also the wife of Mayor Eric Schindler. “We had a person ask to be appointed to the ethics committee during Citizens Concern (the public forum section of the meeting).”

Instead, City Council appointed Pat Brown without holding public discussion at the meeting, she said.

Schindler said she concluded the council had talked about Brown’s appointment before the meeting.

During the meeting’s public forum section, resident Carl Taylor asked to be appointed to the Lake Park ethics committee but a vote died without a second motion.

Brown had neither expressed interest in the position during the public forum nor had she been previously mentioned during the meeting.

“Now, there are four people from the same church, three on council and one on the ethics committee. They now have a majority,” Julie Schindler said.

Mayor Schindler also expressed concern to City Council regarding potential conflicts of interest.

“I realize you all go to the same church,” Mayor Schindler said. “You may have to recuse yourself from a vote.”

Mayor Schindler pointed out he had spearheaded the creation of the ethics committee to hold himself and the City Council accountable.

He also clarified the ethics committee has no power to remove an official, only to issue written reprimands.

Resident Russell McLeod also addressed City Council.

“We will hold the elected officials accountable. It needs to be for the greater interest of the City of Lake Park,” McLeod said. “Do your job.”

McLeod also called on City Council to be more prepared during meetings.

“I’ve sat in these meetings. I’m going to challenge each and everyone to think about your job. I have some homework for you: I want you to read what a sweat assessment is,” McLeod said.

Residents attending the meeting applauded Julie Schindler and McLeod.

Later in the meeting, McLeod addressed the council members.

“I know I was pretty direct with you but everybody give me a smile,” McLeod said.