Less than six months after the City of Mansfield elected a new mayor, some residents want him out.

The drama is playing out publicly and both sides are taking the public attacks personally.

Mansfield Mayor Barton Scott won his position in an upset last May. The teacher became politically active during a fight against a proposed sexually-oriented business. But some of that popularity has faded.

"It's time to step aside, and resign your position," said former councilmember Marvin Kahlden.

Kahlden is among dozens in Mansfield opposing a sex offender ordinance Mayor Scott has proposed. Despite three no votes by the city council, Scott is still fighting.

He's started a petition drive to get the proposed ordinance on a city-wide ballot.

"What Mr. Barton is trying to accomplish, is put a zone around all of our schools, maybe even around all of our school buses, and it's going to force certain people to have to live in a neighborhood where sex offenders can live," Kahlden said.

There's a rift between the mayor, council and other city leaders. It played out at Monday's city council meeting.

"Mayor, this city can't take much more of your vision. You're killing us man!" said one Mansfield resident, Robert Hinkle.

"We need to quit this pernicious and egregious railroading of Barton Scott," said another resident, Steve Koerney.

In written statement to News 8, Mayor Barton Scott said: "There is a philosophical difference on the Mansfield City Council. They believe that sex offenders and pedophiles should be treated like ordinary criminals. I believe additional restrictions must be imposed. All of recent controversy in Mansfield is primarily related to my refusal to compromise on principle."

The battle is creating huge legal bills.

To offset the expenses, the city is talking about a tax increase, and has frozen eight jobs, all while the debate rages on.