The Medina City Council voted Tuesday evening to remove the title of deputy mayor from councilmember Shawn Whitney.

Whitney and Janie Lee were the two dissenting votes, and Lee was open in stating she believes action taken against Whitney is “retaliation” for the former deputy mayor’s public records lawsuit.

“I want to know what she has violated,” Lee said. “This is a democracy and I feel in the last few months that has not been respected.”

Pat Boyd, who seconded the motion to strip Whitney of the title of deputy mayor, also moved to have the council censure Whitney for what he called, “repeatedly disregarding council ground rules and guidelines, and for putting personal interests ahead of the interests of the city.” That motion passed by the same 5-2 margin.

“I’m not in any way retaliatory,” Boyd said. But when questioned by Whitney as to a specific guideline she did not comply with, Boyd could not immediately supply a response. He noted Whitney’s use of her cell phone during the meeting – she said she was communicating with her attorney – as an example of her non-compliance with council policy.

Whitney filed her suit Aug. 3 in an attempt to receive a copy of a document called the Bolasina report, which was a piece of the discussion on Chen’s future. Councilmembers were briefed on the document, and even had a chance to look it over during a meeting earlier this year, but the administration asked for it back at the end of the session. Whitney was told Medina was not in possession of the document, but even if it was available it would still likely be exempt because of attorney-client privilege.

The third and final motion passed was to abolish the council’s finance committee, which Whitney and Lee serve on. That motion initially drew laughter from the crowd of around 30 who gathered for the public portion of the meeting. However, emotions quickly turned when it became apparent the motion would be passed. Again it was Lee with the dissenting voice. Whitney voted with the majority, making the vote 6-1.

“We [Whitney and Lee] have been diligent in working for the city,” Lee said. “I will continue to do my job for the city and the citizens as elected.”

An emotional Whitney departed after the motion to abolish the finance committee was voted on. She said she intends to serve out her term on the council despite what she views as unwarranted questioning of her integrity.