Mayor faces assault charge amid debate over city's future

DIAMONDHEAD, Miss. (AP) — Tempers are rising as one Mississippi Gulf Coast city debates its future.

WLOX-TV reports the president of the Diamondhead Property Owners Association has filed misdemeanor assault charges against Diamondhead Mayor Tommy Schaefer.

Bob Marthouse charges Schafer with knocking him down, causing him to fall over chairs onto his back.

Tim Holleman, Schaefer's lawyer, says "there's no substance" to the charge.

The confrontation came as city and association officials met Sept. 4 to discuss the future of association property once its ability expires next year to require owner dues.

Diamondhead was a real estate development before becoming a city. All property owners have been required to pay dues, or else the association could foreclose.

The expiration leaves questions about how association will pay for an airport, pools, golf courses and parks.

___

Information from: WLOX-TV, http://www.wlox.com