Local citizens may remember the emphasis on civility, compromise and character of candidates during the municipal election campaign season in Elizabeth City last fall. The matter came up several times during forums at which candidates acknowledged that heated exchanges and poorly chosen words during the last city administration soiled the process of conducting the public’s business.

If memory serves, candidates seemed to be in favor of more civil behavior and more focus on teamwork. Well, so much for good intentions and campaign promises.

It’s been only a few months since the city election, yet, two meetings into the new administration of city council and already the atmosphere is sour.

What’s more troubling is that council hasn’t even had a chance to address any issues of real import to the public that may result in contentious debate among council.

What’s divisive is council itself. It has been unable to get organized enough to elect a mayor pro tem, splitting 4-4 twice between the two 4th Ward representatives, Johnnie Walton and Lena Hill-Lawrence.

Last Monday was council’s second attempt to name a pro tem, the mayor’s ceremonial backup — a position currently held by 2nd Ward Councilwoman Anita Hummer. Mayor Joseph Peel refuses to break the tie on council, believing that members should be able to elect his backup without his help.

And they should. The problem is that the impasse has gone on for two meetings without any resolution and council tempers are already flaring.

Last Monday, council finally did agree that splitting the two-year term between the two councilors — each serving one year — would be acceptable.

Ah, progress. But that possible solution came crashing down when Walton and Hill-Lawrence would not agree on who would serve the first one-year term.

The loggerhead took on a dimmer perspective when the two pro-tem candidates exchanged terse comments. Any remaining civility between the two left the room when Hill-Lawrence accused Walton of “cheating” during the election. Peel immediately gaveled her down, telling Hill-Lawrence, “We don’t need to be attacking one another. That’s not going to get us anywhere.”

There was another ray of hope at Monday’s meeting when Councilwoman Jean Baker, who along with Tony Stimatz and Ray Donnelly, supported Hill-Lawrence for pro tem, suggested the compromise of a coin flip to decide the issue. That glimmer of hope died, however, when Walton and his supporting council members Hummer, Michael Brooks and Kem Spence said no. Walton is intent on serving the first pro-tem term.

We’re not sure where this issue will end up, but what’s become apparent so far is a lack of compromise. Consequently, the public may conclude that neither Walton nor Hill-Lawrence is qualified to stand in for the mayor. Perhaps Hummer should just continue in the position.

The pro-tem impasse is not the only example of less-than-expected behavior on council.

Michael Brooks, now an interim council member holding the 3rd Ward seat until an election protest is decided, was convicted Jan. 9 of threatening a city worker. The incident occurred last August when Brooks was still an elected member of council.

Brooks was found guilty of threatening Joseph Bentley of the Elizabeth City Electric Department in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Bentley filed the complaint after he was confronted by an angry Brooks who, according to testimony, threatened the utility worker while he was on the job trying to restore power in a city neighborhood. Judge Amber Davis sentenced Brooks to 45 days in jail, suspended, ordered him to 12 months of unsupervised probation and fined him $50 and court costs. Also, he was ordered not to have contact with Bentley.

Guilty verdict aside, Brooks’ actions that resulted in the charge should never have happened. Elected city officials have no place involving themselves in arguments with city workers, no matter what the circumstances. If he had concerns about Bentley, Brooks should have reported them to City Manager Rich Olson.

Making the situation worse for Brooks is his unwillingness to take responsibility for his actions. He should admit the error, apologize to Bentley and the residents of the city and move on. Instead, Brooks, who said he plans to appeal the verdict, is in a state of denial.

Humans make errors. It’s a test of character, however, for them to own up to their actions, right or wrong — and to apologize for mistakes.