Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Ald. Shawn Gregory (pictured, left) called a fellow alderman a “clown” and a “racist” as he repeatedly raised his voice during Tuesday’s city council debate over a $250,000 annual payment to the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance.

Gregory has long complained about what he perceives as a lack of respect for the city’s east side in economic development. His remarks Tuesday included calling Ald. Brad Carlson a “smug-ass,” inviting him into the hallway, and saying he is no different from Ward 7 predecessor Joe McMenamin. Mayor Misty Buscher repeatedly ordered Gregory to conduct himself “professionally.”

For his part, Carlson – whose praise of SSGA Gregory interrupted – said Gregory’s display is part of the problem. “It’s this sort of argumentative and (dysfunctional behavior) that I think businesses see, and we need to do better,” said Carlson as Buscher continued to admonish Gregory to stop name-calling.

Toward the end of the meeting, citizen Ken Pacha said council decorum apparently condones the city turning its back on the east side but not someone using a four-letter word or two in the council chamber. He was referring to police removing a woman for shouting from the audience that the SSGA matter is “full of shit.” Pacha added that woman had never been to a council meeting before and lasted only 45 minutes before being kicked out.

As for that vote, it was 7-3, with Alds. Roy Williams and Jennifer Notariano joining Gregory on the No side.