Dateline Brownwood: All Recalls are Local !

Recall of entire city council brewing in Brownwood
By Celinda Emison / emisonc@reporternews.com
December 5, 2006

A group of Brownwood residents plans to file a recall petition today to oust the five city council members and longtime Mayor Bert Massey.
Joe Cooksey, leading the group for the recall petition, said it will include Massey along with Councilmen Dave Fair, Ed McMillian, Darrell Haynes, Charles Lockwood and Grady Chastain.
''I view this as an opportunity for the citizens of this town to give city government a formal indication of whether we have confidence in them or not,'' Cooksey said.
The petition charges the council and mayor with general fiscal irresponsibility, irresponsible decisions regarding industrial annexation and failure to conduct city government in an open manner with regard to the resignation last week of City Manager Kevin Carruth.
It was unclear late Monday if Brownwood has ever had a recall election for municipal officials. If the filing for the recall election is done today, it would come one week after Brownwood residents and employees packed into City Hall to express support for Carruth before he resigned. Pat Chesser is serving as interim city manager.
Massey called the petition ludicrous. He pointed out that the city has renegotiated 15-year agreements with all 20 companies in the industrial park that sits outside of the city instead of going ahead with plans to annex the park. The businesses make payments to Brownwood for city services instead of paying property taxes. None of the businesses supported being annexed.
''It would have been fiscally irresponsible on the part of the city council not to look at the prospect of annexing the industrial district,'' Massey said.
Massey also said the council maintains strict compliance with the open meetings laws of the state.
''It should be emphasized that City Manager Kevin Carruth resigned - he was not terminated by action of the council,'' Massey said.
Besides Cooksey, the Brownwood residents leading the charge for the recall election are James H. King Jr., Ralph and Jocelyn Smith, and William C. Jerden.
According to Brownwood's city charter, a recall petition must be filed with the city secretary by five registered voters in Brownwood who will be considered the ''recall committee.'' The city secretary, Jan Kaase, then will draw up a petition that must be signed within 30 days by 400 people who are registered to vote in Brownwood.
If the filing for the recall petition is done today, the committee will have until Jan. 5 to present the 400 signatures to the council. The city secretary then must verify that all 400 signatures are from registered voters. Once that is done, the council and mayor have five days to either resign or call a recall election.
Cooksey believes he will be able to get the required 400 signatures.
''It is the general consensus we will have the signatures in no time,'' Cooksey said. ''This is a time for celebration because we are going to exercise our right to challenge what has gone on at city hall.''

EDITED BY: BRIEN MURPHY; COPY EDITED BY: BEVERLY BUTMAN; HEADLINE BY: BEVERLY BUTMAN

source: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_local/article/0,1874,ABIL_7959_5190798,00.html
------------------
Wednesday December 6, 2006
News

City council recall petitions sought

By Steve Nash — Brownwood Bulletin

A Brownwood resident is spearheading an effort to force a recall election for Mayor Bert Massey and the entire city council.
Joe Cooksey, who is leading the effort, said the controversy surrounding the resignation of ousted City Manager Kevin Carruth is “the straw that broke that camel’s back” in seeking a recall.
The effort, though, was stalled late Tuesday afternoon on a technicality. Cooksey said City Attorney and Interim City Manager Pat Chesser won’t accept an affidavit with five signatures seeking a petition for a recall election because only Cooksey’s signature was notarized.
According to the city charter, five qualified voters must sign an affidavit that specifies grounds for removal. Those five would be known as the “recall committee,” and a petition with the signatures of at least 400 registered city voters would then force a recall election, the charter states.
Cooksey said he has received legal advice saying the affidavit is sufficient with only one notarized signature. Cooksey swore, with his notarized signature on the affidavit, that each of the other four signatures is that of “the person it purports to be.”
Chesser said all of the signatures must be notarized, or sworn to, on an affidavit. “I just want five people to swear under oath,” Chesser said.
The affidavit, also signed by James King Jr., Ralph and Jocelyn Smith and William Jerden, states that Massey and councilmen Dave Fair, Ed McMillian, Grady Chastain, Darrell Haynes and Charles Lockwood should be recalled “for making irresponsible decisions regarding industrial annexation, general fiscal irresponsibility and failure to conduct city government in an open manner.”
Cooksey said he was unwilling to simply have the other four signatures notarized because he believes he is in the right and it’s a matter of “principle.”
Council members voted Nov. 28 to accept Carruth’s resignation effective Dec. 15 and approved, in a 3-2 vote, a six-month severance. Carruth has said Mayor Bert Massey and Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Fair told him after a Nov. 14 performance evaluation that the council sought his resignation. The Bulletin has requested a copy of that evaluation, but was told no document dealing with it exists.
Carruth declined to comment Tuesday on the recall effort.
Cooksey said, “I think of it as a vote of confidence — either we vote you up or we vote you down.” He said a recall of Massey and the council would create an opportunity for “new blood to take this city in a different direction.”
Cooksey said the council was required by the open meetings law to come back into open session after evaluating Carruth in a closed session on Nov. 14 and take a public vote on seeking Carruth’s resignation.
Massey, Chesser and council members disagreed.
“They discussed it and took no action, and went and told (Carruth) their feelings,” Chesser said. “No action was taken other than telling him the results of the evaluation. Nothing illegal happened in that meeting.”
Massey said, “there was no vote taken in the closed session. (Council members are) allowed to state their opinions in a closed session. If they state their opinions, it doesn’t take a genius to know what the vote would be.”
Cooksey said he supports the severance package Carruth is receiving, but said the council showed “fiscal irresponsibility” in matters related to Carruth — the $15,000 the council paid to Waters Consulting of Dallas in the search for a city manager, and the severance package of nearly $71,000 in salary and benefits.
Massey and some council members said the severance was aimed at helping Carruth and his family land on their feet.
Council member Grady Chastain, referring to paying the consulting firm, said, “That’s the chance you always run with a consulting firm,” council member Grady Chastain said. “There’s always a chance ... you can get bit.”
Massey said council members, like anyone else, “do the best they can in the circumstances in which they find themselves. (The council) followed reasonable procedures to find a city manager. It didn’t work.”
Cooksey said some people “have issues with the way the city handled” the recent issue of what had been the potential annexation of industries in the Brownwood Industrial Park.
Massey, noting that the industries ultimately signed new PILOT — Payment in Lieu of Taxes — agreements, said the issue was resolved “as well as anybody could hope or expect.”

source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2006/12/06/news/news01.txt
------------------------------
Wednesday December 6, 2006
News

McMillian won’t run for new term

By Steve Nash — Brownwood Bulletin

Brownwood Mayor Bert Massey was philosophical. City council member Ed McMillian was mad — mad enough that he won’t seek re-election when his term on the council expires in May.
Those were among the reactions from the mayor and three city council members when asked to comment on a possible petition seeking the recall of Massey and the entire council — all of whom said the council did nothing wrong in matters related to Kevin Carruth’s resignation as city manager.
“I’m not ashamed of anything I’ve ever done as a councilman or as mayor of Brownwood,” Massey said.
“I say it’s crap,” McMillian said of the potential recall.
McMillian said he’d been leaning toward not running for another term before the Carruth controversy erupted, but hadn’t decided for sure.
“This has sure made my mind up,” McMillian said. “There is not one ounce of doubt in me now. At the end of eight years I will bow out and I will let the ignorant remain ignorant.
“The recall is the Kevin issue. That’s all this is about. ... I’m a little upset. As a matter of fact I’m madder than hell. ... Let’s quote Clint Eastwood: ‘Go ahead and make my day,’ and you can quote me on that. Make my day.”
McMillian said the non-disparagement clause prevents council members from revealing specifics of the reasons they sought Carruth’s resignation. He said if Carruth would “release” the clause, “maybe (Bulletin publisher) Bob Brincefield would quit reporting the ‘Enquirer’-type journalism.”
He was referring to recent columns by Brincefield that were critical of the council’s handling of the Carruth matter.
“I’ve raised some questions,” Brincefield said. “I haven’t made accusations about anybody.” He reiterated one of the points of a column in which he asked if the council may have violated the state’s open meetings law because it did not take a public vote on Carruth’s resignation.
“I don’t think that’s ‘National Enquirer’ tactics,” Brincefield said.
Massey said voters have “a perfect right to initiate the recall process, if that’s what they want to do. If you’re unhappy with city government, go sign the petition.”
Massey said if voters like gains in the community in areas such as industry, retail and infrastructure, “then don’t sign the petition.
“ ... I would hope that those who believe the council and I have really tried to do the best we could for the community will rally around us.”
Council members have declined to say why they sought Carruth’s resignation, citing a non-disparagement clause in Carruth’s exit agreement. Massey has said the council wanted to avoid airing any displeasure it had with Carruth’s performance as city manager in public.
“It was for Kevin’s benefit that the council chose not to air their concerns with Kevin in a public forum,” Massey said.
Massey said, though, that he was surprised that Carruth had expressed surprise that the council wanted his resignation. “I think he’d had conversations” with council members who had expressed concerns about Carruth’s performance as city manager, Massey said.
“All I’m willing to say is that it didn’t work out,” he said.
Councilman Grady Chastain said the council is “taking a beating” over Carruth’s resignation but “we’re not free to speak on that. ... We didn’t try to hurt (Carruth). We tried to be nice and we turned around and got bit.
“We had addressed some problems. The mayor had worked with him. He didn’t get a raw deal.”
Councilman Dave Fair said, “Frankly, I was looking for a job that would give me heartburn and sleepless nights when I found this one.”
He said he wishes petitioners could serve on the council “and see what it’s like to run a city and make the hard decisions. It’s basically a volunteer position where there’s little thanks and heartache and headaches over decisions you have to make.”
He said he thinks there is “a silent majority of people in the community that understands that decisions have to be made.
“ ... Most of us were born and raised in this community. We work here. We have friends here. I don’t believe our citizens are going to judge all the good things that have been done for this community based on an emotion-charged issue.”

Council members Darrell Haynes and Charles Lockwood could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2006/12/06/news/news02.txt
---------------------------
Wednesday December 6, 2006
Op Ed: Letters To The Editor

Lesson: Keep your own counsel in workplace

To the editor:

I have always taught my children to keep their own counsel in a work place. Which in some ways reminds me of a bowl of Piranha fish. I taught them that what they say and do, can and will be used against them. I wish someone had taught Kevin Carruth that lesson. Then he would not have been so naive in his new surrounding.
He is a trusting kind of fellow. I heard that he had initially asked for a severance clause in his contract, but he was assured that in a friendly place like Brownwood he did not need to worry about such a thing. He could comfortably settle in and expect to see his children grow up here. And he trusted them.
I don’t know what happened to Kevin but I care about it. He has been wounded beyond measure. Just a little honesty and openness could have spared him pain. I am disgusted with the arrogance of the people who, after buttering him up, so carelessly and heartlessly banished him. Keeping the reason inside “The Clique.” Let’s have term limits, so folks won’t get too big for their britches. This stinks to high heaven, and will leave a black mark on Brownwood City Council for a long time.
I don’t suppose it would be “Good ol’ boys politics” going on down there. Was Kevin set up to fail?
I suppose $70,000 makes the council feel better, but it doesn’t help the Carruth family recover from such shabby treatment, and it won’t go far in relocating.

Lila Cathey

Brownwood

http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2006/12/06/op_ed/letters%20to%20the%20editor/letter01.txt
-------------------
Thursday December 7, 2006
News

Petitions for recall issued

By Steve Nash — Brownwood Bulletin

Brownwood resident Joe Cooksey, who is helping an organize an effort to force a recall election of Brownwood’s mayor and the entire city council, picked up recall petitions at City Hall Wednesday.
“We’re at a planning stage of when and where” the petitions will be made available for signatures, Cooksey said.
Cooksey’s effort to obtain the petitions was stalled Tuesday when he turned in an affidavit to City Hall that bore signatures of five voters — the number required for obtaining the petitions. Only Cooksey’s signature was notarized and City Attorney and Interim City Manager Pat Chesser told Cooksey all of the signatures were required to be notarized.
Cooksey said he turned in another affidavit Wednesday with five notarized signatures. James King Jr., Wayland Yancy, William Jerden and Leona Jerden also signed the affidavit.
Cooksey said he has six packets of petitions — one packet each for Mayor Bert Massey and councilmen Dave Fair, Ed McMillian, Grady Chastain, Darrell Haynes and Charles Lockwood. Four hundred signatures from registered city voters are required to force a recall election, according to the city charter.
The affidavit states the reasons for the recall are “for making irresponsible decisions regarding industrial annexation, general fiscal irresponsibility and failure to conduct city government in an open manner.”
“What really spurred all of this is the secrecy involved” in the resignation earlier this month of ousted City Manager Kevin Carruth, Cooksey said.
“The public has a legitimate interest in knowing why and (the council has) failed to tell us.”
Massey and council members have said they treated Carruth fairly in giving him a six-month severance package. Massey and council members have made general statements about the council’s unhappiness with Carruth as city manager but have said they won’t give specifics because they don’t want to harm him and because of a non-disparagement clause in Carruth’s exit agreement.
Massey and council members, commenting earlier on the recall effort, have said they hope voters will remember the progress over the past decades in industry, retail and infrastructure.

source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2006/12/07/news/news01.txt
--------------
Thursday December 7, 2006
Op Ed: Letters To The Editor

Keep things above the table

To the editor:

I read Freda Day’s letter about the dismissal of Mr. Carruth.
I agree with her that the residents and taxpayers should never be barred from knowing what the city council is doing in closed-door meetings.
We are voters and taxpayers, so what is so bad that the city council made it a big secret? What else are they covering up that they want to keep a secret?
Maybe the residents and taxpayers need them to be checked out. It is likely they have dirty laundry and is not for the citizens’ “need to know.”
Freda was correct that they are elected officials and they want total control.
I think the citizens of Brownwood should have a good housecleaning. Begin with the mayor, city council and anyone else who thinks they are God and want to control everything.
Citizens should never be put in the dark behind closed doors, which Freda brought out. and I believe she hit the nail on the head.
If our city council has nothing to hide, then they should keep things above the table and explain them.
Mr. Carruth got a bad deal without a reason.
As a citizen and taxpayer, I thought this is a free country with freedom to speak, but our town thinks if you don’t like it, well, the city council rules.
Thank you, Freda, for your letter. People who read it got a wake-up call. May God bless you and your family.
Thank you, Mr. Carruth. You got a bad deal. But as they say, if you don’t like it, leave. May God bless you and your family.

Patricia Guill

Brownwood
source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2006/12/07/op_ed/letters%20to%20the%20editor/letter01.txt
--------------------
Brownwood recall committee to begin collecting signatures to oust mayor, council
By Celinda Emison / emisonc@reporternews.com
December 7, 2006

BROWNWOOD - Brownwood's city secretary Wednesday accepted a request to have a recall election for Brownwood's mayor and five city councilmen.
City Secretary Jan Kaase accepted the paperwork a day after Pat Chesser, the city attorney who is serving as interim city manager, rejected the initial application Tuesday.
Chesser asked that affidavits for each of the six officials who could be recalled be submitted instead of putting all six on one affidavit.
Now, Joe Cooksey, a Brownwood contractor, and a five-member recall committee need to collect 400 signatures of registered Brownwood voters within 30 days. Each person who signs the petition must sign six different affidavits - one each to ask for a recall election for Mayor Burt Massey and five City Council members.
Cooksey's group launched the recall effort about a week after Brownwood City Manager Kevin Carruth resigned.
Once the petition signatures are collected, they will be given back to the city. The City Council and mayor could have five days to either resign, or call for a recall election.
Cooksey said he is planning an event that would allow Brownwood voters to sign all six petitions at the same time. He has not yet selected a time or date.
Brownwood would be the second city in the state to recall its entire city council and mayor according to the Texas Municipal League. In May, a recall election for the council members and mayor in Cibolo failed at the polls.
The Brownwood petition charges the council and mayor with general fiscal irresponsibility, making irresponsible decisions regarding industrial annexation and failing to conduct city government in an open manner with regard to Carruth's resignation last week.

EDITED BY: BRIEN MURPHY; Copy editor: K.M. Whitmire
source: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_local/article/0,1874,ABIL_7959_5196182,00.html
------------------
Petition aims to recall Brownwood officials
Some citizens seek answers; others feel action may negatively impact city

By Celinda Emison / emisonc@reporternews.com
December 8, 2006

The possible recall of the mayor and all five council members is the talk of the town in Brownwood.
Whether they favor or oppose the action, people are speaking out about the movement to oust six elected officials.
A five-member group successfully filed a recall petition Wednesday and will soon have petitions ready to sign. The recall committee has until Jan. 6 to get 400 signatures each for the mayor and five councilmen - a total of 2,400 signatures.
Mayor Bert Massey and Councilmen Dave Fair, Ed McMillian, Darrell Haynes, Charles Lockwood and Grady Chastain stand to lose their elected positions.
Cliff Karnes, a 21-year-old social studies major from Howard Payne University, believes the council and the mayor are trying to ''cover something up'' with regard to the recent resignation of City Manager Kevin Carruth.
''It just seems so odd that they would be adamant about not revealing what caused them to force him to resign,'' Karnes said. ''If there is nothing wrong, then why do they keep refusing to say why?''
Longtime Brownwood insurance man Hilton Painter, 85, a member of the local civic group the Brownwood Mafia, called the mayor and council ''old friends.''
''I'm neutral on this, but what harm could be done to allow the voters to take a look at this?'' Painter said.
Austin developer Gary Davis called the recall effort a ''disincentive for economic development and business recruitment.'' He said that while he is not a citizen, he and his company have invested over $48 million in Brownwood since 1992.
''The recall effort sends the wrong signal and that goes beyond the local community,'' Davis said. ''If the citizens are dissatisfied with local government, then they should vote to change city government in May during the general election.''
Councilmen Ed McMillian, Charles Lockwood, and Grady Chastain will be up for election in May.
The recall committee, led by local contractor Joe Cooksey, charges the council and mayor with general fiscal irresponsibility, irresponsible decision-making regarding industrial annexation, and failure to conduct city government in an open manner with regard to the city manager's resignation.
''We will have no problem getting signatures,'' Cooksey said. ''I think we can get them all in one day - people are fed up.''

EDITED BY: LORETTA FULTON; HEADLINE WRITTEN BY: JEFF SCHNICK
source: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_local/article/0,1874,ABIL_7959_5198854,00.html
-----------------------------
Friday December 8, 2006

Op Ed: Letters To The Editor

Support for Brownwood’s mayor, city council

To the editor,
I was very disturbed to learn that there is an effort underway to force a recall election for our mayor and the entire city council. I have known all of these men for many years and they have been honorable, honest, and forthright in their service to this community.
It is a real privilege to have a mayor like Bert Massey who represents our city in such a special way and who has no other agenda other than to make Brownwood a better place. To have a council made up of five very independent individuals who vote their conscience each week is the very essence of good city government.
I may not always agree with everything they do, but through the years I have seen first hand how they have stood for what they believe to be right and best for our whole city. A recall election would dishonor each of them personally and disparage their many years of faithful service.
I did not know Kevin Carruth well, but I liked him and he seemed to be a very fine man. The only thing that concerned me were his comments in the Brownwood Bulletin regarding the industries in the annexation issue. It was unfortunate that Kevin did not work out to the satisfaction of the mayor and the council that hired him and worked daily alongside him.
We need to remember, however, that we elected the mayor and the council to represent us in the management of our city, and they, better than anyone else, were in position to evaluate the performance of our city manager.
Often times, when one is terminated, we hear such things as, “it wasn’t handled well,” or “it should have been put off ‘til after Christmas,” or “it should have been done in open session.”
I think the council went to great lengths to make the termination as painless as possible and are to be commended for acting decisively and not putting it off. By discussing such personnel matters in executive session, and agreeing to a non-disparagement clause in Carruth’s exit agreement, the council bent over backward to not embarrass or hurt anyone.
Everyone will not agree with me that the Mayor and Council acted responsibly and in our best interest, but I hope you will agree that a recall election is not the way to address your displeasure. If you are unhappy with the present administration, then stand for election yourself, encourage others to run for office, and be sure that you vote.
You probably know that often times it is a thankless job that does put a strain on the best of individuals and current misguided talk of a recall election will certainly not add to the appeal of the office
I, for one, offer my support, encouragement and appreciation to our mayor and council for doing a difficult job.

Leonard Underwood
Brownwood
source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2006/12/08/op_ed/letters%20to%20the%20editor/letter01.txt
-----------------------
Friday December 8, 2006

Op Ed: Letters To The Editor
City government in Brownwood

To the editor:
We often call those in city government, and many other city positions, civil servants. If you look up the definition of the word servant in Webster’s dictionary you will find “One who serves others.” Go even deeper and look up the word serve, and it will say:
“To be of use; to be favorable; to be worthy of reliance or trust; to hold an office; or discharge a duty or function.”
—Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary
To be of use, to be favorable, to hold an office — I think all of those adequately describe Brownwood’s own city government and city council. We as a community elected these folks to serve, to be representatives, to hold an office. In almost every position, these men and women serve for almost free. They give of themselves and of their time, freely for a community that they love and a system they believe in. Would any of its readers and the publisher at the Bulletin like to step up and fill their shoes? If at some point, the city constituents begin to question the manner in which these council members run their town, by all means, they have every right to question it. It is an open city government. But let’s be sure that we’re requesting open policies on both sides.
As to Mr. Carruth, I find it hard to believe that when you have a council asking for your resignation that you had no idea there were problems. Just because the council has not responded to Carruth’s, and the Bulletin’s for that matter, scathing and largely unfounded remarks, does not mean they are true. By and large, the city council has a long history of divided votes and a melting pot of personalities. Such an overwhelming desire for his resignation must be a sign of something. Do Kevin Carruth and his supporters really want the council to come forward with their reasons? It may be that slander in the local news media is not quite as much fun when the tables are turned. The Bulletin has made large headlines and editorials about the freedom of information act. I wonder if the nay-sayers about city council would be so willing to free the information if the council were to retaliate. Perhaps the council members are actually respecting the fact that some things are best left unsaid. Perhaps they’re protecting Carruth’s reputation. Or perhaps, they were just raised with a little more class than to be a small town gossip the minute someone gives you a platform.
Kevin Carruth received six months severance pay. In all honesty, the City of Brownwood has offered this man a very generous parting gift. They made every effort to part on civil terms and send Mr. Carruth and his family on their way to whatever life may bring for them next, adequately prepared and compensated. It is the Bulletin, and Kevin himself, who have brought the negative attention and discord to Brownwood. I absolutely believe that the people of this town have a right to an opinion and a voice. But how many of those people speaking up so loudly actually voted in the last city elections? And how many of them were present at an open city meeting where Mr. Carruth declined to hand out agendas to some of the community attendees? Several had to call his attention to make sure they received an agenda for a supposed “open” meeting. Mr. Carruth told other council members that he did not mean to skip any select group; that he was simply handing out agendas to “members and employees.” Funny, how one who once so openly opposed sharing information is now crying out for freedom of information since he feels that he has been wronged.
There are two sides to every story. The council has elected to remain neutral and try to protect a former employee’s reputation as he moves forward with his life. I feel certain, if you asked anyone on the city council or in city government, they would say that they wish the best for Kevin and his family, and malice or injustice was never their intent. Many of the people who serve our community in this capacity have over 20 years of service. You do not serve a community, a people, for that length of time without their best interests at heart. Let’s keep in mind that these are elected officials. If you, the people of Brownwood, have kept them in your service for this long there must be some honor, some intent, some quality that they once esteemed in our elected officials. Before you rush to the gallows and follow the crowd, consider the option that perhaps, the people you trusted for all these years may just know what they’re doing.
On a personal note, there are many who will say I only wrote this because my father is the mayor. In part, they might be right. I do take an interest in Brownwood politics because my father is so highly involved. I also have two close friends who live in the Metro-plex with me whose fathers are involved. You can bet our phones have been ringing. But if you’ll recall, a few years ago I wrote a piece about how Brownwood Feels Like Home. The Bulletin was kind enough to publish it and I am grateful. However, it is disappointing that the paper I grew up reading, the paper I still read online today, the paper that supported our cheerleading squad and local sports and clubs, the paper that published a picture of me when I was only 8 years old because I grew a record breaking sunflower, would so openly insult and attempt to discredit my father who has given over 20 years of service to this community. I remember a time when the Brownwood Bulletin strived to promote a sense of togetherness, a pride in their community, and was not just another piece of the press striving to find the dirt where there is none.
My grandmother was a single mother from the time that my dad was 7 years old and a proud member of this community. She and my grandfather are buried in Eastlawn cemetery. I remember driving around putting up signs for dad in the early 80s when he was first running for mayor. I was proud then, and I am proud now. My father graduated from Brownwood High School, as did I and both of my siblings. My parents moved back to Brownwood before any of us were born, more than 30 years ago, and immediately began getting involved in the hometown they loved. I can’t tell you how many late nights my dad put in serving this town. More than most people I’ve been affected, involved, and a first hand witness to the stress and trials of city government. I know more than anyone how my father’s heart belongs to this town, and how much it hurts him to witness all that has been stirred up in these times. It doesn’t matter to me what people say, but I want to come out and publicly say that I believe in our government, and I believe in our council, and it’s my right to say so. Don’t tell me that I don’t have a right to an opinion just because my father’s the mayor. Don’t tell me that I’m not a part of this community, that I don’t have a voice. This is my home, too. This is my town. This is my family. This is my city government.
And I tell you what — come next election — I stand behind every one of them.

Rachel Massey
Brownwood
source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2006/12/08/op_ed/letters%20to%20the%20editor/letter02.txt
-------------------
Note From Steve Harris, Letter writer Rachel Massey obviously feels that the Bulletins 400 word maxium letter to the editor policy (as is published in the Bulletin daily see page 4 !) does not apply to her 1281 word letter. Rules and guidelines appear to apply only to the other folks who can voice their opinions within the established guidelines which gives everyone "equal" time and space ! Mayor Massey was a guest of KXYL 96.9FM this morning (following Brownwood's Big Box Developer Gary Davis) discussing the recall issue. Massey refused to take phone calls from listeners ! Appears to be a pattern of Elitism over the Brownwood airwaves and where the ink hits the paper ! Elitism, a learned behaviour ? Brownwood Texas: It's "our" home, it's "our" "Feel Like Home" family, it's "our" City Government, it's "our" voice. Maybe It's time for Brownwood to be more about the "our" and less about the "my" !
-------------------

read more letters here

-----------------
Sunday December 10, 2006

Op Ed: Columnists
Open and free government is worth our protection — Robert Brincefield

Bob Tanner, who was the newspaper’s attorney, often used a number of sayings and axioms to illustrate his point. One of them I think has application to the current situation in Brownwood. Tanner died about five years ago but would often comment that a particular situation seemed to get “legs.” It seems to me that describes what is happening in Brownwood. The flap over the city council’s handling of the city manager situation has gotten legs, and now the city is flirting with a recall election of its public officials.

Many in the community are crediting, or blaming, (depending on one’s point of view) this newspaper for the level of interest or outrage regarding the current state of affairs. Some of them even suggest this is a major departure from the historical approach to news gathering and reporting. Community journalism — chronicling the activities and the events of interest to the people, particularly the school children and their parents, in the communities that constitute Brown County — is still our mission. It is a mission we take seriously. We also believe strongly in the freedom of information, not just on one day of the year when newspapers write editorials about the First Amendment and the need to protect it.

At the risk of appearing melodramatic, the world changed on a September morning five years ago. Since that time, thousands of young service men and women have risked and lost their lives in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. The mission was to bring Jeffersonian-style democracy to the people of the two countries. Americans at home have devoted a lot of time, thought and energy in efforts demonstrating their grateful support. The display of patriotism through signage in windows of businesses, magnetic ribbons and flags on vehicles and the volunteer activities has been impressive. The support for the troops, the volunteer soldiers and their families who have borne the brunt of the sacrifice, has been amazing. We at the Bulletin share the same emotions. We have our own hero in Rick Phelps. You can read his story in another part of this edition. Phelps has returned to his reporting duties following a tour in Iraq, and all of us thank God he is home and safe.

We have a sign in the window to show support for the troops. We also have a sign on the entry door to the office announcing we are the proud employers of an U.S. soldier. We ask ourselves, is that enough? Rick spent over a year away from his wife and newborn child fighting to provide the freedom to vote, and to have a voice in one’s own future, and to participate freely in government for people a half a world away. Do we not owe it to him and others like him, to do everything in our power to ensure that they return home to a society that reflects the ideals he was fighting to give others? I think we do.

We also acknowledge there is plenty of culpability to go around. This newspaper and the radio stations in town could have been more diligent at times with calling city government to task when they skirted around open meeting laws. Far too often we did not ask the hard questions of why things were being done the way they were. Honestly, we did not, because it is easier not to. Bulletin reporters, like their counterparts at the radio stations, are not like those in the White House press corps, who covet their 15 minutes of fame. For the most part they know, respect and do not want to upset the politicians they cover on a day-to-day basis. They work hard to provide the readers with information regarding the what, when and where of events that occur in the city and county. The how and why are considerably more difficult because they involve quizzing the principals involved, and sorting through the jumble of information in their answers and then questioning them to explain. Often it involves being a pest to overcome the stonewalling they present to the questioning.

We do not question the intentions of our public servants. We appreciate the sacrifices they make, and the contributions they offer in the way of their time, talent and intellect in their service to the city. However, six people cannot be allowed to make decisions and invoke policy in private, outside the realm of public scrutiny. That is not open government.

Robert Brincefield is publisher of the Brownwood Bulletin. His column appears on Sunday. He may be reached by e-mail at bob.brincefield@brownwoodbulletin.com.
source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2006/12/10/op_ed/columnists/opinion08.txt
---------------
Sunday December 10, 2006 Letters To The Editor

Our right to question officials

To the editor:

I see in your paper that we are “ignorant” (“lacking in knowledge or training, unlearned,” according to The Random House Dictionary of the English Language) by one city council member’s statement and another council member has referred to us in another paper as “malcontents” (“1. not happy about currently prevailing conditions or circumstances, discontented, dissatisfied” ... “2. dissatisfied with the existing government, administration, system, etc.” (The Random House Dictionary of the English Language).
This must make my wife’s and my ancestors stand up and applaud. They came over in the early 1600s when they were asked to leave their homes in Europe when they dared to question the ruling powers.
My wife’s father’s side and all four family trees of my parents’ families were members of the revolutionary forces of the colonies. My great grandfather on my mother’s side fought for the northern forces during the Civil War and my great great-grandfather Jerden fought for the southern forces and died as a prisoner of war at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Ill.
My grandfather Jerden as an Army private was gassed in the trenches during World War I losing one lung and my father as an army private is a D-Day veteran of World War II.
All of this is so that I have the right and privilege to question my government officials and if I feel that they are not representative of the community that they are elected to represent according to the rule of law to ask for their removal. If enough voters agree with me and sign a petition calling for a vote we then find out if the community agrees. If the community agrees in a free and open election they are by rule of law removed from office and new officials elected.
If this makes me “ignorant” and a “malcontent,” I will gladly stand up and accept those titles in the country that allows me to question and call to account the representatives who have been elected by us.
Signed as a citizen of the City Brownwood of the State of Texas of the United States of America.

William C. Jerden
Brownwood
------------
Attitude a factor in perception

To the editor:

Open letter to the City Council of Brownwood, with emphasis to Mr. McMillian.
While the city council may not have done anything “illegal” during the closed session of their meeting, it is the perception of “wrong doing” that is the problem. Of course, the council’s attitude of “we’re smarter than anyone else in Brownwood” could lend itself to some displeasure among the voters of Brownwood.
The comments made by Mr. McMillian in the Brownwood Bulletin on Dec. 6 are (in my opinion) an example of poor judgment. And I for one, take exception to being called “ignorant”. To quote Mr. McMillian “. . . I will let the ignorant remain ignorant.” Mr. McMillian, it is not your place, as a city councilman, to be “madder than hell” at the people of Brownwood. It is, Sir, your place to “Serve.” Have you forgotten why you and the other members of the council were elected? I’m not sure, but I’d bet that your oath of office says something to the effect that you agree to serve the public, not dictate.
You, Mr. McMillian, have offered a public challenge to “make my day” so, if it is physically possible for me to be at the next city council meeting, I’ll be there to ask you “Do you feel lucky? Well . . . do you, Punk?” Another quote from Mr. Eastwood. Wasn’t that just the most ludicrous thing you ever read?
If, as Mr. McMillian states, the Brownwood Bulletin used “Enquirer” type journalism to get at the facts and inform the public, then I’m glad we have a newspaper bold enough to stand up to local government and report to the public they serve.
Mr. Chastain, the city council is not “taking a beating” over the resignation, but for the manner in which it was handled. When we elected you, the council, we expected you to make the decisions necessary to run this city. We also expected you to do so in a public forum, not behind closed doors.
Mr. Fair, I’m glad you found the job you were looking for. Everyone should be so fortunate.

George Bradley
Brownwood
-----------------
Developer hopes cooler heads and pragmatism will prevail
To the editor:

Given the turn of events this week over the recall petition, I feel compelled to weigh in on the subject. Even though I am not a resident of Brownwood, I am a significant taxpayor in the community and have invested considerable amounts in Brownwood over the past 15 years. I have also recruited quite a number of businesses to Brownwood during this time period. Therefore, I feel this fact is sufficient to qualify me to voice my opinion on the recall subject and other topics from time to time, as the total investment in just land and buildings by myself, my investment entities and the businesses I have directly recruited, totals over $48 million to date, with hopefully more to come.

This is my position on the recall efforts:
1. If any citizen is unhappy with city government, the mayor and/or the citycouncil, they should exercise their privilege to recruit and vote for new candidates in the upcoming election in May. To have a recall election this close to the regularly scheduled election in May is a waste of time and money, in my opinion. In fact, I believe the recall election, under state law, will need to be held around the same time (possibly even the same day) as the regularly scheduled election in May.
2. As to the annexation issue, all is well that ends well.
3. Kevin Carruth was treated very fairly by the council in the severance arrangements he received. As the facts unfold, everyone will see that this was the case, given the circumstances.
4. Now that certain citizens have determined to proceed with mounting a recall effort, there are more “eyes” on Brownwood by people outside the community, but, I would submit, for the wrong reasons. The recall petition effort alone sends a signal of instability to the outside world and suggests that certain citizens are willing to utilize a means, albeit a legal one, to “challenge” and toss out of office the very people the majority just recently voted for (in the case of Mayor Massey, Councilman Fair and Councilman Haynes) this past May. The rest of the council comes up for re-election this coming May. This activity works as a disincentive to economic development and business recruitment. It sends the wrong message for investors like myself who have worked for so many years in helping Brownwood grow and prosper.
I hope cooler heads and pragmatism will prevail when citizens are approached to sign the recall petition and they will reject using an approach that should only be used when the most egregious of transgressions have been committed by elected officials.

Gary Davis
Austin
------------------
Recall election would hurt the community

To the editor:

This push for a recall of these six men (on the Brownwood City Council) is for the birds. I do not believe they have done anything to warrant a recall. The mayor and city council work long hours trying to improve the city and county for little pay and support. I do not believe these men would do anything to hurt the city or county. I do not believe there is any ground for a recall. This will only hurt all of Brown County.
I ask that the people requesting a recall talk to the mayor or city council about their complaints. Under the leadership of the mayor and city council life in Brown County has improved. They cannot satisfy all the people all the time, and some never.
A recall can only hurt all of the people of Brown County, and will help no one.
I would, however, request that the mayor release the reason the city manager was let go.

Pat C. King
Brownwood
------------------
Retired city manager urges support of officials

To the editor:

I want to urge all responsible, community oriented citizens to reject the proposed council recall petition. At a minimum, find out what repercussions might occur with city government, should this errant action actually succeed. It is not enough to jump on board with the “Throw the Rascals Out” crowd. If you become informed about recent actions, you will discover, they did nothing wrong. They may not have done what a few wanted them to do, but it does not warrant a recall. Every citizen has recourse, and it is at city hall, at the podium, expressing your view point, and ultimately at the ballot box, but you need to do it from an informed position about what is going on in Brownwood, and not the generic “all government is bad”, “all elected officials are crooks”, and certainly not news articles or opinions that lend themselves to sensationalism rather than being objective.
I had the privilege and honor to have worked for the City of Brownwood for 27 years, with the last 12 years as its city manager. I worked closely with Mayor Massey and this council for many years, and I can tell you without any doubt or reservation, their actions were always centered around what is best for Brownwood. They have been tireless in their work, putting many hours into a labor for the betterment of the community. You only have to look at Brownwood today versus 10 years ago, to know they have indeed made a positive difference. After all they have done for this community; they are rewarded by having to deal with a potential recall.
The issues cited for a recall petition follow the old tried and true general issues when there is really no substance for complaint. . . . “They are in government . . . they had to do something wrong.” What is really sad about this whole thing is already one council member has said he’s not going to run again. If a petition gets certified and there is an election, who will be out there to run for office? Who is willing to stick their neck out in the political arena knowing there is a “recall squad” waiting for something to happen. End this misguided effort. Don’t sign a petition for recall. Support your mayor and council, and give them input on what is your opinion for the betterment of the community of Brownwood.

Gary Butts
Retired city manager
Brownwood
-----------------------
Sunday December 10, 2006

Op Ed: Letters To The Editor

Letter to the editor policy:

We encourage letters from our readers. All submissions must be signed and include sender's address and telephone number. The Bulletin reserves the right to edit for grammar or style. Please limit letters to 400 words. One letter per writer per month, please.

source of above: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/op_ed/
-----------------------
Tuesday December 12, 2006

Op Ed: Letters To The Editor

Newspaper fulfilling its role in a free society

To the editor:

Like most taxpayers and citizens of Brownwood, I have read with keen interest the recent articles and letters to the editor concerning the city council and the resignation of the city manager. And while I might not understand exactly what happened and why it happened, I am glad that we live in a democratic society where views can be expressed.
I was therefore somewhat troubled by the tone in one letter to the editor in which the author lambasted the Brownwood Bulletin for “large headlines and editorals about the freedom of information act.” In addition, the author blamed the Brownwood Bulletin (and Mr. Carruth) for bringing “negative attention and discord to Brownwood” and stated “I remember a time when the Brownwood Bulletin strived to promote a sense of togetherness, a pride in their community, and was not just another piece of the press striving to find the dirt where there is none.”
What is a newspaper supposed to do? The resignation of a city manager is news, and in my opinion, the Brownwood Bulletin would be negligent in its responsibilities if it did not report the issue. And has not the Brownwood Bulletin been fair by publishing letters on all sides of this issue? Furthermore, elected officials understand that their actions are subject to open meeting requirements and that the public has a right to request information provided that it meets the guidelines established in the Texas Public Information Act. As a member of the Brownwood ISD school board, my colleagues and I were required to go through training provided through the Texas Attorney General’s office. So it should be no surprise to any public official that the Brownwood Bulletin would make such a request given the circumstances. That is the role of the press in a free society.
In conclusion, I am not writing to take sides in this issue. But I am writing to support the Brownwood Bulletin in fulfilling its role in a free society, something that two fine Marines from Brownwood sacrificed their lives to defend.

Justin D. Murphy, Ph.D
Brownwood
---------------------
Councilmen doing their job as they see best

To the editor:

As just a “Joe Citizen” who is not even a stepping stone, much less a pillar in our community, I will toss my opinion out into the mix.
I have not known Mr. Carruth. I do know personally at least three of the men on the council as godly and sensible men who have ever been involved as helpers in some way to our own community and beyond.
I have no idea why they chose to not disclose any specific reasons for asking Mr. Carruth to leave. It would seem to me to give a reason would have better served to alleviate any suspected lack of propriety. There are no doubt factors of which I do not have knowledge, and which figured into the council’s determination of how best to handle the matter.
It seems to me there is the propensity on the part of some to forget one thing. These men were elected by us to this job which, as I understand it, carries with it the obligation of hiring and possibly firing such subordinates as a city manager. So the seeming forgotten consideration is they have done their job as they saw best to do it.
Something the citizens of our community need to consider in the matter of a recall: “Just who is under consideration to be the replacements for the present members of the council, and what assurances have we said replacements would prove to be better servants?”
No, as Mr. Underwood has suggested, the better course to follow, if dissatisfied with the present council, is to wait and support and vote to office those the voter has the greater confidence in to do the job.

J. D. Flanagin
Brownwood

source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/op_ed/
-----------------
Wednesday December 13, 2006

Op Ed: Letters To The Editor

‘Good ole boy’ politics hasn’t changed

To the editor:

I am a lifelong citizen of the city of Brownwood and have watched this city change many times over in my 49 years. I have also seen progress at a dead standstill, and then when we realized that we needed a better image, we wanted to promote our city with a “Feels like Home” attitude in order to give people a better picture of our progressive nature. The “good ole boy” politics in Brownwood is the only thing that hasn’t changed.

A city manager was hired by a 4-1 vote by our city council and apparently he had done an above average job in the previous places where he served or he would not have been there so long. The vague and secretive manner in which Mr. Carruth’s resignation was “accepted” causes me great concern as a citizen and taxpayer. I don’t personally know any of the members of the city council nor do I know Mr. Carruth other than what I read when he was hired and have seen of his performance. Apparently there were many under his charge that liked him and thought highly of his integrity otherwise he would not have had the support of so many when the council “accepted” his resignation.

The way this whole situation has been handled is a disrespect to the citizens of our town. The secrecy and vagueness have caused me to think that maybe it is time for a change in our city government. Is it possible that the citizens of Brownwood need to hold a closed door session and “accept” the resignation of our city council and replace them to get rid of the “good ole boy” politics and make Brownwood a place that indeed does “feel like home”? If our politicians would be as open in handling city business as they are at promoting themselves at election time then things might be different. In order for this town to “feel like home” we need to get rid of all of the secrecy and double talk and be up front with the voting public. My view is that our city council is dysfunctional and it is time for a change the next time we look to elect city officials.

Imagine the damage that has been done to our city’s “Feels Like Home” image since this has all been aired by the media outside the city of Brownwood. I for one had to laugh at one of our councilmen as he sat in his vehicle and was asked about the situation by a KTAB reporter. He was at a loss for words and it was apparent that he wasn’t as vocal as he had been when he was campaigning for office.

My personal feeling here is that Mr. Carruth didn’t fit in with the “good ole boys” and chose not to be a “yes man.” When he wouldn’t compromise his integrity his resignation was “accepted” under the auspices of none other than his style of management did not fit in, how convenient.

It is regretful that citizens voted for some of you on the council, because you made us feel that you would serve us with better integrity than has been shown here.

Tommy Parson
Brownwood

Support for the work of council members

To the editor:

After reading two Brownwood Bulletin editorials and several letters to the editor denouncing the actions of our city council, I am compelled to write in support of our duly elected officials.

I do not have personal knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Kevin Carruth but I am forced through logic to ask myself how and why would five men who give of themselves to the well being of Brownwood all of a sudden wake up and unanimously decide to arbitrarily and for no cause get rid of our city manager.

Has everyone lost their senses over this matter? Could it be that reason allows that this decision came about after much insight into this matter. Kevin Carruth got a generous severance and was represented by his own attorney. Maybe the reason we have not heard “all of the story” is that usually when an agreement is reached over a resignation in lieu of firing there is a clause which stipulates that neither side disclose any disparaging information.

I have not heard Kevin Carruth say anything negative about the council nor vice-versa. Could this be the reason why?

We have a city council made up of elected businessmen who take time from their own businesses and families to attend to the affairs of the City of Brownwood. This is a great commitment that few of us would be willing to undertake. We have elected them to make the tough decisions. This is not a popularity contest. It is serious business with serious consequences.

Look around and view at every corner the growth of Brownwood over the past years. This all happened under the leadership of this council and our mayor, whom by the way has served us unselfishly for 20 years. If we lose our leadership over this matter, who among us will be willing to stand up and replace them lest we too are slammed every time we make a tough decision?

Think about it, Brownwood: There are many good things happening in our community and the day-to-day functioning of our city government is one of them.

Kathy Higgins
Brownwood

‘Get out of the kitchen!’

To the editor:

“Get out of the kitchen!”

It is about time that government is held to the people. For the past several years government from the local level all the way to the national level has trampled its people on the basis of ignorance.

For some odd reason, our elected officials believe that the people are ignorant. I personally take offense to this. Councilman Ed McMillian even admitted to the idea of the ignorance of the people. His exact words were, “I will let the ignorant remain ignorant.” The only conclusion that can be drawn is that he is referring to the citizens of Brownwood.

It is astonishing and atrocious that an elected official would refer to the citizens who elected him as “ignorant.” It seems to me that he is upset with the people for questioning his and the other councilmen’s decisions. We are in the U. S. The people are supposed to question government or it would not be a democracy!

It is the right of the citizens of Brownwood to know what decisions the council is making and why. It is a simple question: “Why did you fire Mr. Carruth?” You say he did nothing wrong or immoral, so tell us. I was astonished to read the quote by Mr. Massey: “It was for Kevin’s benefit that the council chose not to air their concerns with Kevin in a public forum.” You said he had done nothing wrong or immoral. Why would it be detrimental to Mr. Carruth to reveal these “secrets?”

The conclusion is simple. These elected officials have become too comfortable in their positions. They have come to believe it is their right to serve as mayor or on the city council, not their privilege; however, the opposite is true.

President Harry Truman once said, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!” From the various statements made by these officials, it is apparent they cannot stand the heat. I hope the citizens of Brownwood will help Mayor Massey, Councilmen Haynes, McMillian, Chastain, Fair and Lockwood, and throw them out of the “kitchen” with a recall election.

Cliffton H. Karnes
Brownwood

Respond at the ballot box

To the editor:

I can summarize the latest happenings at city hall quite simply — please don’t vote for some of the nerds on the council, and first of all, we need a new city mayor. No one could do worse than the one we have.

I have lived in Brownwood since 1963, am former president of the school board and am supportive of Boy and Girl Scouts and the Episcopal Church.

Carruth probably had more sense than remains at City Hall.

Dr. James Gandy
Brownwood

source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/op_ed/