Citizens For A Responsible Government -- Whatley's Mouth

Read here to find out how, after signing a "peace treaty" with Councilman Chambers, the mayor is relentlessly pursuing the same witch hunt as before. It's apparent to us his words mean nothing, and we call upon the members of our city council to stand up for us and tell the mayor to quit embarrassing us citizens!

(Will they do it? We very strongly feel Frizzell and Massey will; they recently got a first-hand example of Whatley's behavior. We feel Sibley and Houston will also recognize the problem; they are very intelligent men. No doubt they are tired of living in Whatley's shadow, and of enduring the damage caused by Whatley's actions. Fryer probably will not; he's been too emotionally involved.)

Mayor Runs Amuck -- Spends Over $5,000 of our Money on a "Special Prosecutor" for Ken Chambers

Mayor Whatley has been known for running the city council with an iron fist, bashing anyone who gets into his way. (See on our home page how he's doing the same thing to the RCAA group, an action that is going to backfire on all of us.)

When Councilman Ken Chambers tried to represent his constituents and stood up to the mayor by asking questions on expenditures, the mayor responded with extreme rhetoric, filing "charges" against Chambers, implementing a special subcommittee to prosecute him, and even telling him he should resign from the position to which we elected him. It should be noted that a special attorney was hired for this attack, in addition to the city attorney's time, making the mayor's vendetta cost us taxpayers another $5,137.50.

Also interesting was Mayor Pro-tem "Dusty" Fryer's insistence that Chambers take down his website -- a clear violation of Chambers' right of free speech, and an obvious attempt to keep us from knowing what Whatley was up to.

On July 8th, the subcommittee finished their report, recommending the City Council "take no further action." (Note Whatley's e-mail below where some of the motivation came from: "would expose the city to unnecessary liability.") It further stated "we are now seeking to bring to closure this internal discord" and "it is the citizens who will benefit from a more cohesive and harmonious City Council." CFARG commends Councilmen Joe Frizzell and Steve Massey for implementing the road to peace.

But, there was a catch. The peace treaty also recommended new rules -- rules that would give Whatley more power, and restrict council members from doing their jobs. All signed, except Chambers.

Chambers was quoted in The Dallas Morning News, "This council needs to work together and do our best to understand each other."

Within seconds of approving the peace treaty, Whatley apparently couldn't stand it any more, and said: "Character can't be legislated – you either have it or you don't. My hope is that council member Chambers steps up to the plate and proves he's a man of character." (As reported by those in attendance, The Dallas Morning News, and the Waxahachie Daily Light.)

Within 72 hours of signing the peace treaty, Mayor Whatley continued his attack on Chambers. If anything, he has become more active than before. In response to a fellow citizen of Midlothian telling Whatley to "tend to city business" and criticizing the mayor's "ego," Whatley took it as an opportunity to once again defame Councilman Chambers, and berate a Midlothian citizen at the same time with this scalding e-mail:

-----Forwarded Message-----
>From: Boyce Whatley
>Sent: Jul 11, 2008 1:14 AM
>To: james.xxxx@earthlink.net
>Subject: RE: ***SPAM*** character
>
>

Mr. xxxx,

Like most of the public you have very little information, except from the Ken Chambers camp, to draw your conclusion. I have talked with Ken on more that one occasion and met with him for over two hours last December to try an iron out differences and come to some sort of reasonable understanding. He left the meeting having made it quite clear that he had no intention of taking up a more positive role on the council.

Mr. Chambers accused staff of manipulating council policy for their own benefit.

Mr. Chambers is meeting with an individual that has pending litigation against the city, without the councils and attorney's knowledge.

Mr. Chambers has berated and belittled staff in an inappropriate manner.

Mr. Chambers has offended the public and demeaned every council member.

Mr. Chambers has accused the city council of spending too much money when he himself voted FOR every appropriation with the exception of a Chamber of Commerce advertising budget. He was one of 7 council votes that approved the annual budget.
Mr. Chambers claims that the annexation is unconstitutional ( which is completely bogus) yet he claims he will be the FIRST in line to see that we proceed with annexation of other areas if this one is approved. (what happened to the constitutional protection for these others)

Mr. Chambers acted to solicit funds, on behalf of the city, from our corporate taxpayers WITHOUT the consent of the council.

Mr. Chambers has published mis-information that is damaging to the city.

Mr. Chambers refused to provide any feedback to the city manager on his annual appraisal or engage his peers on council during the appraisal process. ( he was part of a three member committee that previously set the annual goals and objectives for the city manager)

The ethics investigation was not "dropped". We just realize that you can't legislate and hold accountable this individuals behavior and to proceed would be fruitless, time consuming and would expose the city to unnecessary liability. If you take the time to read our ethics policy it is quite evident that Mr. Chambers has violated multiple provisions, although the conclusions would be based on subjective analysis.

Just because it is not illegal, does not make it right.

I am hopeful but seriously doubt we will see any change from Mr. Chambers. I would hope that he understands that the entire council is upset with his actions. I hear it from EVERY member and have for months. He has alienated himself and will be completely ineffective because of this. I honestly believe that Ken thinks he is doing what is right, he just doesn't' understand that when you are part of a political body that you MUST take into account the body as a whole when acting in an official capacity.....and he does not do this.

Boyce

Call or write to your elected officials, and write letters to the editor, and tell them you want the mayor to GROW UP and abide by the peace agreement that HE signed.

Also, tell them you want the city to pay for Chambers' legal bills in defending himself.

Click on the name you'd like us to forward your e-mail to, or use the e-mail address listed to contact the City Council: