LA MESA, Calif -- San Diego Gay Pride Parade was at the heart of a verbal attack on a La Mesa Councilwoman Tuesday.

Some said Mayor Art Madrid put citizens up to it.

Ruth Sterling wrote a letter several months ago to the gay community, congratulating the community on its 35th annual Gay Pride Parade.

She retracted the letter after hearing reports of lewd behavior at the parade.

Some said the mayor is cashing in on a chance to rip a political adversary.

Councilmember Sterling will be the first to tell you. She defines her relationship with the mayor as “troubled” and said that would be sugar-coating it.

To her, it's no surprise he invited people to city hall to criticize her for her decision to retract the letter.

What seemed to be an issue about San Diego’s Gay Pride parade may be more than meets the eye.

"He wants me off council," Sterling told 10News.

Some La Mesa citizens agree with Sterling.

“This issue has nothing to do with gays. It's Art fomenting outrage, full phony outrage," said La Mesa resident Craig Maxwell.

Some said Mayor Madrid was targeting Sterling.

“He's responsible for us being here today, not Sterling, said one man.

A 15-minute discussion period was created just for public input on Sterling's decision to retract the letter she wrote.

Some supported her Tuesday. “I think it was good,” said another.

Some attacked her.

“Your letter of condemnation so clearly displays your bias,” said another person testify before the council.

When 10News confronted the mayor about why he specifically invited gay rights activists to today's meeting, he said it was a misunderstanding.

“I don't want to resurrect anything. There's a misconception I invited people,” Madrid said. Then he refused to answer any more of questions.

"I know about bullies and every symptom we've learned about it, he's got every symptom," said Sterling.

The public showdown seemed to be wearing thin for some people.

"I think La Mesans, are getting tired of it," said Maxwell.

Last year, when Mayor Madrid was found drunk in public, Sterling requested the issue be discussed at council.

Madrid denied stirring anything up.