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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services EXPLORE » Photos Videos Games TV Guide Business Calendar Branded Content Submit your news Blogs NEWS NOW Photos: North and South Medford students graduate ... Rogue Valley performing arts students often excel in academics, too ... Mental health crisis? ... Photos: North and South Medford students graduate ... Rogue Valley performing arts students often excel in academics, too ... Mental health crisis? ... Mayor warns Medford councilors to mind their manners By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 4, 2015 @ 6:44 pm By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 4, 2015 @ 6:44 pm » RELATED CONTENT • Medford City Manager Eric Swanson fired by council » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Medford Mayor Gary Wheeler sent out a warning to city councilors Monday to avoid personal attacks after Councilor Dick Gordon criticized City Manager Eric Swanson in May using what some considered inappropriate language. “This is more about the city manager and the chamber and who has the biggest b---s,” Gordon said. Wheeler, in his June 1 letter, urged a particular councilor to avoid breaching decorum without mentioning the councilor by name. "If the council member persists, a formal motion may be called for to consider the member out of order," Wheeler stated. Councilors on May 21 wrangled over a city contract with Travel Medford. Some councilors demanded greater autonomy for the organization, which one said has an “incestuous” relationship with the Medford/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. The dispute was one of the factors cited Thursday in the firing of Swanson. The mayor's letter cited Municipal Code 2.065, which is titled "Decorum." The code says all councilors shall preserve order and decorum during meetings. Among the actions councilors should avoid are personal attacks that "chastise, denigrate or criticize anyone." "At all times, while in session or otherwise, (councilors should) conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the dignity of their office," the code states. Wheeler said he's received several comments from the public regarding the break in decorum, and the council is expected to follow Robert's Rules of Order when conducting meetings. "Remember to address all remarks to and through the chair rather than directing to the council member," Wheeler stated. "Finally, I expect all elected and appointed officials to conduct themselves in a professional manner in and out of our meetings." After Gordon made his remark on May 21, Wheeler objected, saying he wanted the remark stricken from the record. After a lengthy debate, the council agreed to extend the Travel Medford contract for a year while other issues are ironed out. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @reporterdm.   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 4, 2015 @ 6:44 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501