NEWTON FALLS, Ohio - Tarry Alberini, councilman at large for over seven years, resigned suddenly Tuesday and accused his critics of engaging in a “mob mentality.”

In an exclusive interview with 21 News, Alberini described his opponents as “a small group of people who think they speak for everybody and they don’t.”

Alberini was among the council members who oppose the recall of Councilwoman Sandra Breymaier, 4th Ward, the object of some citizens’ ire for derogatory comments she made at a council meeting.

The dispute blew up last week when Mayor Ken Kline attempted to have the police remove 1 st Ward Councilman Adam Zimmermann, another opponent, after he tried to have council overrule the mayor’s decision to move forward despite lacking a quorum.

Zimmermann, Breymaier and Alberini walked out of the meeting.

None of the three attended Monday's council meeting, which had to be adjourned due to the absence of a quorum, much to the visible anger of the mayor.

Alberini said he had advised Kline long before the meeting that he would be unavailable due to business concerns.

Alberini said one of the reasons for his resignation was the number of negative calls he has received.

He accused recall supporters of “focusing on things that are made up and not true…they called me a detriment to the community and weren’t positive at all.”

“It’s time for me to move on,” he said. “The culture of Newton Falls has to change (with this) history of recalls, hate and spitefulness—it has to stop.”

Despite his differences with the mayor, Alberini said he and Kline remain friends.

“I disagree with his police action, but we’ve talked and made amends.”

The mayor said basically the same thing when contacted by 21 News.

“We were able to work together,” said Kline who spoke favorably of Alberini as a council member and a friend.

Meanwhile, an emergency council meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. to again vote on scheduling the May 25 recall election for Breymaier.

It’s not known whether Zimmermann or Breymaier will attend.

The absence of both would mean no quorum and would negate the meeting as was the case Monday.

Kline has also scheduled a special council meeting for this Friday at 6 p.m. to discuss finding a replacement for Alberini.