During the Dec. 1 special meeting of Catasauqua Borough Council, council members accepted the letter of resignation from Councilman Gene Schlegel.

Council immediately went into executive session to discuss personnel issues. Council President Howard Cunningham made a motion to have Mayor Barbara Schlegel and Councilman Gene Schlegel not in the private session due to a “conflict of interest.”

When Councilman Brian Bartholomew asked why, Cunningham said he wanted council to be able to speak “freely and candidly.” Bartholomew said he would not go behind closed doors and they should speak openly and not behind their backs.

While the rest of council went into the private executive session, Bartholomew stayed in the public council chambers with the Schlegels.

They said the borough doesn’t seem like a democracy anymore and likened the situation to a circus.

Bartholomew said it wasn’t right that Gene Schlegel was not given the opportunity to defend himself in this moment and noted he may want to consider getting an attorney.

After more than 30 minutes in executive session, Cunningham made a motion to accept Gene Schlegel’s letter of resignation. Councilman Schlegel’s term was set to expire in 2028.

While council was voting, Bartholomew asked for more answers, and Cunningham told him he should have attended the executive session. Bartholomew yelled at Cunningham, told him not to tell him what to do and said he wanted answers.

An audience member asked on what grounds this resignation was happening, but Cunningham told him this was the time for council comment, not the public.

“This was a railroad job,” Bartholomew said, noting the special meeting was rushed without much notice when a simple resignation could have occurred at the regular meeting Dec. 15.

Some council members changed their votes during the discussion, prompting Councilwoman Jill Smerdon to ask Gene Schlegel if he wanted council to accept his resignation.

Gene Schlegel noted he has experienced health issues for the last several years due to stress from working with the borough. He said he is tired and beaten down.

“My nerves are shot,” he said.

He asked for his resignation to be accepted.

“I’ve had enough of this sh*t show,” he added, receiving applause from the audience.

Bartholomew said the whole situation was ridiculous, noting he believed they ran Gene Schlegel out over an issue with a Christmas tree. He shared his support for Gene Schlegel and all of his work in the borough over the last 20-plus years.

The final vote passed 4-3 to accept his letter of resignation. Opposed were Bartholomew and Councilwomen Kim Brubaker and Rev. Virginia Schlegel. Smerdon noted she was ready to oppose until Gene Schlegel said he wanted them to accept.

It was noted by the labor attorney Jared Hanna that “the mayor withdrew her resignation, so you’re not going to vote on that tonight.”

Bartholomew also asked why there was not a solicitor’s report about Gene Schlegel’s resignation, and it was noted they don’t have a solicitor right now. Mayor Barbara Schlegel reported borough Solicitor Chuck Smith resigned, but that hasn’t been approved by council. Brubaker reported it is important to talk about the fact that Smith resigned and said council needs to take steps to fill the role.

Smerdon also asked for more transparency and to properly follow Robert’s Rules of Order in filling the now-empty council seat. She said the proper procedure has not always been followed in the past.