North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield was incensed Wednesday by remarks from Vicksburg Mayor Laurence Leyens and demanded the mayor explain why he believes Mayfield lied under oath in Sept. 28 testimony before the Civil Service Commission.

Responding to the commission’s Tuesday ruling upholding the suspension and demotion of 16-year Vicksburg firefighter James Montgomery, Leyens said, &#8221I am very disappointed that Mr. Mayfield is playing politics when the facts are as clear as they are. He wants to get people on his side so he can run for mayor one day. I am extremely disappointed that he made up stuff and testified to it.“

Mayfield said he will force Leyens to prove that he lied under oath.

&#8221There is no way I am going to let him walk with this,“ Mayfield said in his office Wednesday. &#8221I want him to prove that I said one word that is false under oath so the citizens of Vicksburg and Warren County can know what I supposedly lied about.“

Mayfield is serving his first term as North Ward alderman after serving the previous 10 years as District 2 supervisor in Warren County. Despite Leyens’ claim, Mayfield said he is not currently considering a mayoral candidacy.

&#8221I am not even thinking about running for mayor right now,“ Mayfield said. &#8221I believe I could win today if I did run, but I am not worried about that today. I am a full-grown man and I don’t play games when it comes to business.“

Mayfield also called Leyens &#8221paranoid.“

&#8221That man has worried himself sick thinking about who wants to be mayor,“ he said. &#8221I’m telling you this man is paranoid. He worries day and night about who is going to run for mayor.“

Leyens also testified during the hearing, after which commission members voted unanimously to uphold the demotion and suspension of Montgomery based on a letter to the editor the firefighter wrote before municipal voting. The letter opposed re-election of city officials. Mayfield voted against the disciplinary action and testified on Montgomery’s behalf.

&#8221I want him to prove in writing every word he said,“ Mayfield said. &#8221This is a personal attack on me and I won’t tolerate it under any circumstances.“

Leyens won a second term in municipal voting and started his new four-year term in July.

It is still not known whether Montgomery will appeal the commission ruling to Warren County Circuit Court.