New Albany councilman swears into open mic during prayer debate

NEW ALBANY, IN (WAVE) - A New Albany councilman referred to a colleague as a "lying piece of (expletive)" during a debate over public prayer on Monday.

Councilman Dan Coffey made the comment into an open microphone, yet denied using the curse word during a brief, tense interview after the meeting.

"I didn't call him that," Coffey said, as a reporter followed him down a staircase in the City-County Building. "That's what you say I called him."

During the meeting, Coffey passionately argued in favor of starting Common Council meetings with a prayer. The council approved the public prayer ordinance on a 7-2 vote after three amendments failed.

A minister who attends the meetings will likely lead the prayer, as one did before Monday's debate that became increasingly tense.

Councilman John Gonder offered an amendment that would've allowed only council members to lead in prayer or moments of reflection before meetings. The amendment failed, 5-4, after Gonder accused Coffey of trying to "curry favor" with the prayer issue.

"No, I didn't bring this up to curry favor," Coffey said, hitting his hand against the council's desk. "I brought it up because every time you turned around, there was something coming up about gays, lesbians, transvestites and making sure they had their rights."

The council then considered an amendment that would've allowed members only to pray, give an inspirational message, or to skip their turn in the rotation.

"If someone chooses to say a prayer, that's fine," Councilman Greg Phipps said. "I they choose to read an inspirational poem, that's fine."

"I can hear it now, 'tiptoes through tulips,'" Coffey replied.

Phipps then offered an amendment that would've only allowed council members to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of their meetings.

Coffey unsuccessfully tried to cut off the process, but Phipps' amendment failed anyway.

Phipps declined to talk on-camera after the meeting, saying that it was an election year and he said all he needed to say during the debate.

As Coffey walked away from a reporter and down two flights of stairs, he said he was "glad we got prayer" in response to a question about the vote outcome.

Copyright 2015 WAVE 3 News. All rights reserved.