Councilor Sharla Gardner had some strong things to say about the city council at the DFL Duluth Convention this morning...lashing out at the right-of-center councilors.

"I am stunned by the rhetoric that continues to be dominated by the right wing," she said.

Gardner told the friendly Democratic audience that if more progressive candidates do not get elected to the council this fall, she is "concerned about the council's ability to work together and get things done."

"There are people that get on the council that complain about government and the size of government and then when they get involved they make damn sure that government can’t accomplish anything," Gardner said. "That is a big problem."

Gardner also took issue at the disparity of women on the council and in the administration.

"I've stepped out of my comfort zone working with eight men on the council, a male CAO and a male city attorney," she said. "I don’t want our city dominated by rich, white business men," she said. "Not that I have problem with rich, white business men, but they just don’t represent the city."

Gardner says it has been a tough week for her in light of another councilor, Todd Fedora, accusing her of having a conflict of interest. The day after the accusation, she called Fedora sexist and abusive.