Kenosha aldermen aired out accusations, concerns and called for more respect in lengthy comments after Monday’s City Council meeting.

Alderman Steve Casey, who has been on the council for 21 years, said the current group was different than any in his experience.

“I’ve never witnessed the disrespect that I’ve seen,” Casey said. “I’ve seen contempt for everyone and everything. (The council) has become personal and vindictive.”

Casey said he felt he had been targeted by some aldermen since he questioned expenses for conferences that some aldermen on the Board of Water Commissioners attend.

Earlier this year, a female constituent in Casey’s district filed a complaint against the alderman regarding meetings that Casey had missed and sought the City Council to take action on the matter.

The complaint did not move forward, but Casey said a request for his attendance record had been made by the alderman of the 13th District, Ray Misner.

Misner said a third party contacted him about the complaint, because the woman did not feel she would be able to attain the attendance information by herself. The constituent dropped the complaint when she was told she needed to pay $1,000 to pursue the complaint and could be responsible for future court fees, which Misner objected to.

“I think the way the complaint was handled was shameful,” Misner said.

Casey said some aldermen also had requested information on his income and per diem expenses for the last 21 years. Casey claimed city employees spent about 40 hours gathering all of that information. That work, and the city’s retention of outside council for the matter, cost about $4,000.

Casey stated he felt there was “bullies” on the council.

“I will not back down from my core values, I will not be intimidated and I will not back down,” Casey said.

Casey also said his absences were due to family health issues and work commitments, pointing specifically to not attending a Licensing and Permit Committee meeting last month, where Misner serves as chairman.

“I have a job, get over it. These are part-time jobs and nothing more,” Casey said of aldermanic positions. “I’ve never been a part of City Council more vindictive or spiteful. I will not allow it.”

Misner said an ordinance he is sponsoring, which would take away aldermanic pay for aldermen that have unexcused absences from meetings, was not directed at Casey.

Casey left immediately after his comments to attend a funeral luncheon.

Misner responded to Casey’s statements, many of which Misner said were “way off-base,” later in the meeting.

“I think it is crucial that I respond to what I think were some terrible comments,” Misner said. ‘They were unprofessional, uncalled for and slanderous in many respects.”

Misner said the city was able to save about $1 million thanks to a recent water conference trip. Misner also said Casey had acted out against him since Misner sought to travel to a technology conference two years ago.

“Everyone’s warned ‘Don’t become friends with the aldermen of the 12th (Casey); he’ll use you and stab you in the back,’” Misner said.

Misner said he was upset with the comments made on Monday.

“I think it is a travesty what has been done here tonight,” Misner said.

A few other aldermen mentioned the tone of the current City Council.

“I have not felt the respect I feel a person deserves for serving on this august body,” Alderman Anthony Kennedy, serving his first term, said. “I’m elected to this position the same as everyone else is. My position is no less or more important than anyone else ... the amount of respect we show each other has been lacking, I think.”

Alderman Jesse Downing said respect is something that is earned.

Alderman Patrick Juliana said the council members were putting themselves in a negative light and he has received negative feedback from members of the public about this council.

“There are too many thin-skinned people on this council,” Juliana said.

City Council G. John Ruffolo said the issues raised on Monday would be resolved, including the conversation between Casey and Misner.

“They are both intelligent individuals,” Ruffolo said.