Alexander City Fight

Alexander City, Ala Mayor Charles Shaw, left, is restrained by an officer after a fight broke out between him and councilman Tony Goss, far right, during a meeting of the Alexander City City Council in Alexander City, Ala. on Monday, April 25, 2016. Those attending the meeting along with officers had to intervene after the meeting adjourned. The incident took place at Alexander City City Hall and was intended to discuss city audits and other municipal financial issues but the meeting broke down to a shouting match before it ended and the brawl ensued. (Mitch Sneed/Alexander City Outlook via AP)

A physical fight broke out amongst Alexander City's governing body during Monday evening's council meeting.

From the left, Alexander City Mayor Charles Shaw and Councilman Tony Goss (Alexander City website)

The fight was between Mayor Charles Shaw and Councilman Tony Goss. Both men gave AL.com their accounts of what happened.

Goss said Shaw tried to call an executive session Monday to address firing the city's finance director, Sandra Machen, but the council president denied the request. Shaw said he has no authority to call an executive session, and it was a council member who did so.

Goss said Shaw got mad at the denial and retrieved an email in which Goss said something disparaging about him. He said an argument soon followed with Goss shouting, "You're a dictator," and Shaw responding, "You're a liar."

How the argument turned physical is in dispute. Goss said he tried to apologize to some state auditors who were present when Shaw went over and punched him in the face. He said he punched back.

Shaw said Goss swore at his wife, which prompted the fight.

"If he cusses at my wife, I'll hit him again," said Shaw.

Goss said Shaw's wife and friend allegedly joined in and kicked at him while others tried to separate them. The fight was witnessed by a reporter for The Alexander City Outlook.

Goss said he left with some light abrasions and was checked out at the hospital.

He said he filed a police report and intends to press charges. Shaw said he considers that an empty threat and is not concerned.

What both men agreed on was that the fight stemmed from heated disputes about Machen's role.

"The mayor has an objective of firing her because she's on to something he doesn't want her on to. He wants to pursue this witch hunt," Goss said, although he did not specify what she allegedly found out.

"I believe 100 percent of the council knew that," he said.

Goss said Shaw fired her in September 2015, but the council reinstated her the following week, citing the mayor did not have that authority.

Shaw disputes this. He told AL.com he blocked Machen, alleging she changed her pay scale and has emails in which she's lied. He said her Machen communicated separately with three council members.

Shaw also accused Machen of being "in over her head" in the job and being two years behind on an audit.

Goss said he hopes the council can move past this. He said one positive thing that did result was his new campaign slogan: "I'll fight for you."