The Italy City Council reinstated Diron Hill as chief of police for the City of Italy Monday night following an executive session with Ed Voss, city attorney.

Hill had been fired by newly-elected mayor James Hobbs Saturday just before the Guns-n-Hoses fundraiser began.

The city council meeting had to be moved to the community center due to the estimated 75-80 citizens in attendance. They could not all fit into regular council chambers.

Holly Hill, wife of the police chief, appealed to the council stating that her husband is extremely hurt and humiliated by the termination. She said her husband is ethical and loyal and loves this town, loves this police department and loves his officers. She said his 20-year career in law enforcement has been stellar.

She pointed out the many things that he has upgraded within the police department. She also noted that he implemented the Citizens on Patrol, Fourth of July Guns-n-Hoses fundraiser for the annual Shop with a Cop for children. More recently, she said he implemented the Cinco de Mayo celebration.

She said that her husband would continue to give the city 110% should he be reinstated.

Mrs. Hill received a standing ovation by those in the crowd following her comments.

Karen Mathiowetz said she was there Saturday when the termination took place and she said the incident literally made her ill and said she was embarrassed for the out-of-towners that witnessed the event.

She said, “I don’t want to live in a town where anything like that happens again. Chief Hill, you are the most professional chief I have ever seen. We have never had a department like you have set up here.”

Working with Shop with a Cop, she said the police chief and officers she worked with are all professional.

She concluded, “Do whatever it takes to make sure this never happens again. Do the right thing and do whatever it takes to keep Chief Hill. It would be an atrocity if the city did not keep him.”

Sandy Eubank thanked the Italy police and fire departments for trying to pull the city together and thanked Hill for his service to the community.

Jackie Cate Jr., a lifelong resident of Italy, said he has been a volunteer firefighter for 25 years. He said he has served on the council and knows there are things that happen that the public may not know about.

“What brings me here tonight,” he said, “is the word professionalism, which means with dignity and character. Last Saturday night an incident took place that was inappropriate and very unprofessional. I am very disappointed that an elected official would choose a fundraiser for the children of this community to terminate a city employee. Even if you were in fear of the employee’s reaction, the fundraiser was not the time or the place.”

Cate continued, “If a city employee needs to be terminated, by all means terminate them, but I would expect it to be handled in a professional manner, with a whole lot more character and class than what was displayed last Saturday."

Addressing Hobbs, Cate said, “You may be doing good things for the city, I even agree with some of the changes you are trying to make but as most of my friends will tell you, I am the type of person who calls it like I see it and last Saturday, sir, you were out of line. I think you owe everyone who worked so hard to bring this event together an apology.”

Alysa Kirton also expressed her support for the chief of police and the professional manner in which he has run the police department.

Billy Ray Turner said there has been a lot going on the in the last couple of years and told the council members that they did not need to lose a man like Hill.

He said the chief has made a point to get to know all the residents in his neighborhood. He said the officers will slow down and talk with people going up and down the street or sitting in their yard. He said the chief “knows us.” He said the chief will stop and sit in the yard and just talk.

Turner said, “These officers care.” He concluded, “God gave me a second chance, you ought to give this man a second chance.”

Before convening into executive session, Hill’s attorney asked that all matters pertaining to his client be discussed in open session.

Following the executive session, Rodney Guthrie, mayor pro tem, made the motion to reinstate Hill, effective July 6 and authorized the city attorney to contact Bill Parker to conduct an independent investigation. Dennis Perkins seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

In another heated topic, the council named Frank Jackson to fill the seat vacated by Hobbs when he beat Jackson in the mayoral race.

Four men requested placement to fill the vacated spot – Tom Little, Frank Jackson, Rodger Jackson and Steven Farmer. Each man addressed the council members pointing out how they can help the city by serving on the council.

Following the executive session, Guthrie said the city attorney advised the council that they may appoint someone to fill the spot or call for a special election. After making that statement, Guthrie made the motion for Frank Jackson to fill the spot. Perkins seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

There were two other items discussed in closed session – a grievance filed by Manual Martin, court clerk; and Teri Murdock, city secretary/administrator.

Perkins said no action was taken on either matter but said the council has received the grievances.

Before the executive session, the council conducted other business and heard from several citizens.

Troy Kowalsky asked the city to consider waiving the late fee if someone is late paying their water bill if it happens less than once a year. He said the city now has the smart meters and it should not be a problem for someone to look up his water usage on a computer or how often they are late paying their water bill. He said if they didn’t like that idea, he suggested they allow residents to pay their water bill online.

The council tabled the item until the city administrator could investigate options. They said it should be on the agenda for the next city council meeting.

James Helms addressed the council about illegal dumping. Helms said someone is dumping trash at the car wash located at Simms and Main streets. He said he has gotten names out of the trash bags and carried them to the police department. When he couldn’t get satisfaction from the police department, he went to Hobbs to get the matter straightened out.

Shawn Martin, police officer, said a complaint has been filed and he would get back with Helms concerning the matter.

The council also unanimously named John Droll to the vacant seat on the planning and zoning commission. Greg Richards made the motion with a second from Guthrie.

The council authorized Murdock to write an ordinance, according to Uniform Traffic Standards, to stop parking on the service road (highway entrances/exits) from I-35E toward the Dollar General. Richards made the motion with a second from Guthrie.

The council also approved a 2008 request from the county asking that East Highway 34 be renamed Southwest State Hwy. 34 due to 9-1-1 issues. Murdock said this affects 10-15 houses from East Main Street to the city limits. Richards made the motion to approve the request with a second from Perkins. Bruce Utley voted for the motion. Guthrie voted against the motion.

They heard comments from Joan Grabowski, Donna Cuerrera and Frank Boyer. Grabowski questioned the water report residents recently received. Murdock told her this was the information required by the state. Cuerrera asked the council to fill the vacated council seat with Rodger Jackson or Steven Farmer. Boyer complained about the “city’s loss of integrity.”

The council also approved consent items and heard department reports.

Comment from Steven Farmer received 7/9/13-3:46pm

People talk about how Mayor Hobbs is unprofessional. Why hasn’t Rodney Gutherie’s name come up. Gutherie has done nothing but give Mayor Hobbs push back from day one. He has also made it clear to the city employees that no one has to listen to the Mayor. Finally, what gives Rodney Gutherie the right to use profanity at Mayor Hobbs. This has happened on several occassions. One of the incidents happened the night Chief Hill was terminated. Mayor Hobbs might have been wrong about where Chief Hills termination took place, but that doesn’t give City Council the right to talk to the Mayor in a disrespectful way. City Council is why the town is hurting so bad. They care about their own agenda not the citizens. That especially goes for Rodney Gutherie. With that said I think Rodney should resign because he is crippling this town.
When you have a chance to be a voice of the citizens it should be an honor. As of now there is no honor in City Council only embarrassment. I am hurt that this town has let this go on for so long.

Comment from Phyllis Hogan received 7/9/13-11:05pm

I am a relative newcomer to Italy Texas. I have only been here six years. It has been my pleasure to be friends with both Mayor Hobbs and Chief Hill. I don’t know what happened and it doesn’t matter. James you were wrong for choosing the place to confront Chief Hill. You have an office for that. Chief Hill you were wrong running to tattle on the mayor. Now let’s get to the real problem. Isn’t the CITY COUNCIL here for the people. Who gave you the right to disrespect our Mayor that the majority of the people voted for. If you didn’t vote shut up. You have no say. I am curious why you want Jackson back running things. What has he done? In six years I never saw him do anything. Or is that it , he let the city council run amuck and do whatever THEY wanted. Well, I don’t want a yes man to run my town. I may not always agree, but what’s wrong with having someone have some new ideas? We have a goldmine all around us but with no leadership where are we? Same place we were six years ago when I moved here. Oh a couple of restaurants on the strip changed and we got a new dollar store. Whoopie.People have come and gone. Superintendents, principals, teachers, Workers, people with children, pastors, coaches, and the list goes on and on. Has anyone ever wondered why. New people are not to accepted here, but we have been lucky. We live on a great street and I suppose we offer no threat to anyone. Mr. Hobbs is relatively new too. Is that your problem? Is he such a threat? There are people here who obey no laws, even as simple as no fireworks in the city, don’t steal other peoples things, don’t sell drugs, yet these have been allowed to continue, but let’s string up the mayor because we like things just the way they are.
Phyllis Hogan

Comment from Galen Morris received 7/10/13-4:16pm

I’ve lived in Italy for 30 years and the problem is the newly voted in Mayor is a new comer and the city council are old timers, this town is built today on the buddy buddy system everyone knows it! This town needs a Mayor like Hobbs to stand up and take care of this town. The streets are beyond bad no businesses in this town that will keep people here are from coming here, the city spends unnecessary money on thing we don’t need and won’t spend a dime on the things that the city needs, take the historical Church on Poplar Street. It’s boarded up and falling down!!!! So keep Strong Mayor Hobbs and don’t give into the City Council that will not get you a second term.

Comment from John Droll received 7/11/13-4:21pm

Let me first state that while I was on the City Council former Mayor Frank Jackson and I had many a discussion, more than one heated, over things we didn’t see eye to eye on. This happened in private and some in public. Come to think of it I’ve disagreed with him at other times also. I go to him and we hash it out. I say that to show I’ll disagree with anyone at anytime over something I believe should be corrected. I’ll also say that my hope was Franky would not seek the vacant City Council seat and take time to decompress and take care of himself. He made a decision to seek the council seat.

The first 2 lessons I was taught in the Army were: Accomplish the mission, take care of your soldiers because they are your most important asset. Those 2 lessons are valid for any type of manager, but are critical items for a leader to accomplish. A true leader knows it; managers have to be taught. The City is no different.

When our Constitution was first written not all of the delegates supported it because the rights of citizens was not spelled out. That is how our Bill of Rights came to be. I have to assume that no citizen of Italy reading this would be happy if they were denied one of their rights without due process. But doesn’t our heritage and character demand that we stand up when any citizen has their rights taken away?

Not too long after being sworn in, Mayor Hobbs called a city employee meeting and had those employees present take a drug test.

Through the Texas Open Records Act I requested a copy of the City Personnel Policy. It states that certain classifications of employees are required to undergo a pre-employment drug screening. Section 25.06 states an employee may be tested when reasonable suspicion exists. “Reasonable suspicion is a belief based on objective and particularly facts sufficient to lead a reasonable and prudent department head or supervisor to suspect that an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol so that the employee’s ability to perform the functions of the job is impaired or so that the employee’s ability to perform his job safely is reduced.”

There is no provision in the policy for “random screening”. And an “all hands on deck” is not random anyway.

Since it was an “employee” meeting nobody was applying for a job and I assume all employees working that day were not staggering around and slurring their speech.

A quick civics refresher says the 4th Amendment protects citizens from unwarranted government searches. The 5th Amendment protects citizens from government forced self-incrimination.

Now, nothing prevents a city from establishing a policy that sets up random drug screening for employees. Most big cities do for some categories of employees.

But this becomes even stranger. Mr. Hobbs is a retired fire fighter, which means I’m sure he was required to be randomly screened. And since I believe he worked in Houston I’m sure he had a union that ensured his rights were not violated. Yet he demands our employees “give up” their rights.

Mr. Hobbs had no legal or moral justification for demanding our employees submit to this test. And as late as Saturday he was still adamant he did nothing wrong as I was just as adamant that he was wrong.

Now I will say that some of the people he’s taking advice from also believe he can demand this testing. And a couple had these same rights protected by a union also. (Whose ox is being gored?)

So, when someone states that Mr. Hobbs is getting “push-back” you now know one of the reasons why. I’m also pushing back. Hobbs opened up OUR city to a very large liability, basically accused the employees present of wrong-doing, and forced a search of their person.

And “City Council is why the town is hurting so bad”? Since Hobbs served about 2 years you’re saying he’s part of the problem.

Maybe you have a specific item to complain about Rodney. I know of no agenda he carried while I was on the council or during the years I attended council meetings regularly. Don’t use the word “agenda”. If you know he’s done something wrong say it.

As far as Chief Hill “tattling”. He simply stated a fact. Actually I believe Rodney went up to him to ask what happened. It doesn’t matter. Hobbs told at least 1 person at the ball field what he was going to do before he did it. Oh, another HUGE liability issue for OUR city.

It would have been easy for Chief Hill to be disheartened and leave the field Saturday. He didn’t. He continued to make sure the event was done well while I’m sure he felt devastated.

So, our “Strong Mayor Hobbs” has exposed OUR city to some enormous liability issues. Not to mention the unbudgeted costs for drug testing which I would guess was at least $500. And it’s only July and we don’t have money to replace our emergency warning system. And, as mentioned in the letters, the City has work that needs to be done. Watch the pennies, the dollars add up.

Everyone needs to take a deep breath and step back. Italy needs to succeed, Hobbs needs to succeed, Hobbs needs to use the city staff efficiently and effectively to succeed. He’s not currently doing that. I know of nobody that wants him to fall down, not saying there are not people like that, but I’ve heard nobody say it. Everyone needs to work together to get us on the right track.

Comment from Cyndy Hartis Montgomery 9/12/13-2:14am

As a life long resident of Italy I would personally like to thank the City Council for a job well done . The citizens spoke & the City Council listened, acted & did the right thing by reinstating Chief Hill as police chief. Mr. Farmer, they are far from being an embarrassment to our City. To say such a thing is a slap in the face to the citizens of Italy as they are our elected officials. Before anyone jumps I realize Mr. Hobbs is also an elected official but respect must be EARNED & his actions have far from done that. Mr. Cate ask for an apology at the council meeting & none was given. That makes it hard to look the other way. And Ms. Hogan, Frank Jackson had done plenty good for our city. For one thing he worked well with ALL the city employees as well as the city council, police department & fire departments for the good of our town & was always there with an open door policy. He worked his butt off to get grants so we could try to get our water & sewer situation up to state standards without it costing us more than it already has due to years and years of nothing being done to correct it. Him & the council helped me get a city ordinance passed when I went to them explaining that disabled citizens as myself needed to have our city taxes frozen since the elderly and disabled are on a fixed income. More importantly what he DIDN’T do in all the years he served as mayor is ever cause a stink to embarrass himself or our city in the manner Mr. Hobbs who has only been mayor a short time, did at the fundraiser for the children’s benefit. And Mr. Morris, you sir need to look long and hard at some of the main people Mr. Hobbs is known to hang out with before you even think about bringing up the BUDDY BUDDY system ! I asked God’s forgiveness if I have spoken out of line or said one thing that isn’t fact. I love my town & will continue to pray for it, the citizens, the churches, the pastors & the leaders whoever they may be.
P.M. Let me be the FIRST to say our water situation is still NOT good, to say the least, but the fact is, nobody has the money to fix it the way we would all like. That is why I boil all my drinking and cooking water on a daily basis ! And Mr. Hobbs, since the city appears to have money to burn on unnessary drug tests can you see about getting some repairs done to Harpold Street ? It’s easy to find, it leads right out of the city hall door straight down to Park St. where I live. Thank you in advance.