71-year-old Mary Monahan was cited for harassment outside of the Greeley City Council chambers on Tuesday, September 2 after the conclusion of the public comment portion of the meeting. The Greeley Police Department issued a press release stating that a physical altercation occurred between Monahan and an unnamed 40-year-old woman who was described as the victim.
The public comment portion of the meeting lasted nearly an hour with many citizens expressing their displeasure with the city council and the Catalyst Greeley West project. Most of the citizens were outspoken against the measure while some expressed support for the $832 million project that will include a professional hockey arena, youth hockey, indoor water park, hotel and convention center, mixed-use neighborhoods and retail.
Monahan has been a critic of the project, but no other details have been released regarding the nature of the disagreement or the physical altercation at the city council meeting. Councillor Melissa McDonald addressed the public following the public comment portion of the meeting and called for more respectful dialogue in the city council chambers.
“I want to thank everyone that comes out and speaks,” Councillor McDonald said. “That is your right, whether you and I disagree politically or about these decisions. I appreciate what you have to say. What is not acceptable, and I don't care if it’s protected, is foul language and name-calling and that will not be welcomed in these chambers, especially when we have children in the chambers. We’re adults, we need to act like adults. Yelling is fine, it’s name calling and foul language.”
The investigation into the altercation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Officer Paul Shannont at [email protected].
