The Italy City Council chambers were filled Monday night with an overflow of citizens into the hall by the police station.

Accusations were made against Mayor James Hobbs with the Chief of Police Diron Hill asking Hobbs to resign.

Early in the meeting, Hobbs addressed the audience noting that everyone has their political views and said they were not all going to be the same. He said, “Everybody is different.” He said, however, that if someone had a problem with him, that they shouldn’t take it out on his wife who is battling cancer.

Hill accused the mayor of not following the same guidelines and procedures that all city personnel are expected to follow.

Hobbs began the meeting by thanking Clint McCasland and Dean Carrell, public works employees, for saving his life on Sunday, August 11.

Hobbs said he had ridden his lawn mower over to mow behind the feed store. He said he drove across the highway (SH 77) to Simms Street. Hobbs said he somehow fell into the ravine there. He said he was unable to see his cell phone and mashed the button. It was Carrell’s number. He said there was no answer so he called McCasland. Hobbs said Carrell called back and eventually showed up on the scene in his personal vehicle. He said Carrell pulled him out of the ravine. Hobbs said he doesn’t remember much about the incident other than frantically calling the two city employees. He said he remembers a backhoe being there but doesn’t remember how it got there.

He said, “This is the type of dedicated employees we have in the public works department.”

McCasland later explained that the mayor specifically requested he bring the backhoe when he received the initial phone call. The backhoe was needed to pull the mayor’s riding lawn mower out of the ditch.

When Hill addressed the council, he said the mayor already admitted that they used city property for personal use. Hill said according to the personnel policy — use of city property could result in termination.

He said these “theatrics” were just show. He questioned the mayor’s frame of mind to have the presence of mind to request the backhoe when he claimed to be “disoriented.”

Hill said, “I took an oath to uphold the laws of this state. I can get along with people as long as they don’t trump on my constitutional rights.”

It was then that Hill asked the mayor to resign. Hobbs simply stared back at the chief without response.

Phillip Martin, an investigator with the Ellis County District Attorney’s Office, addressed the mayor concerning his wife, Manuela, who is the city’s court clerk.

Martin said he was addressing the council on behalf of his wife. He said people are making comments about “sour grapes.” He said they were friends with the former mayor but said that does not stop her dedication to the city.

He said they had no problems until the mayor ordered the employees to take a drug test and fired the police chief. He told the mayor that these were not mistakes on his part; they were flagrant violations of the law. He said his problem is the mayor doesn’t follow the city’s proper procedure policies.

Martin said his wife saved the city thousands of dollars when she discovered inconsistencies with previous court clerks. He said his wife has saved the city thousands of dollars in possible fines by straightening out the office and sending in the percentages of citation fees that should go to the state.

He said the mayor has created a hostile work environment, hoping to get employees to quit.

Martin related one incident when the mayor pushed his wife out of the way as he entered the police station trying to see who the police chief had in the office. Once the mayor realized it was the police clerk, he simply said he was after a piece of gum.

He said the mayor has made accusations against his wife. He said the mayor made physical contact with his wife when he pushed her aside that day. Martin said, “No one touches my wife, period.”

Martin told the council that he was putting them on notice if they continued to allow the mayor to create a hostile work environment. If not, he said their only other option would be to file a suit against the city.

Hobbs said he didn’t have plans to fire anyone when he was elected mayor. He said these employees are good assets. He also said he never terminated the police chief prior to the guns and hoses softball game.

Hill said he did terminate him and he had a witness. Hobbs said again that he didn’t fire the the police chief.

Karen Mathiowetz asked to address the council and reminded the mayor that he had told her in the feed store that he planned on firing five city employees before he was ever elected.

Another heated topic came from Margaret Helms of Helms Wrecker Service.

Rodney Guthrie, council member and employee of Harris Wrecker Service, recused himself and left the building.

She said the city has issued them code enforcement citations and taken them off the service call rotation with Harris Wrecker Service.

Helms said she had never received written notification as to why they were removed from the rotation, only that they were removed. She said she only learned it on Neotrib when the chief answered questions from the editor.

Hill had given her three letters from officers complaining about the service they received from Helms. He said that was just the written complaints within the last year-and-a-half and noted there had been many verbal complaints from the officers about Helms’ level of service.

Hill said he had contacted Paul Martin Towing and had placed him in rotation with Harris.

Hobbs asked why he hadn’t given Helms a verbal warning before pulling him out of the rotation. He suggested they table the matter and put Helms back into rotation until the matter could be resolved.

Hill said he was department head and was looking out for the safety of his officers and noted that he had support from the officers.

Hobbs responded with, “Of course they back you. You are the chief.”

Hobbs said the Helms’ are business owners in the community and said these people pay taxes and they should be supported by the city.

Hill again stressed the importance that he be given leeway to operate his department.

Helms said they had been added to the rotation after being approved by the council and questioned why the chief had the authority to remove them.

Frank Jackson, council member and former mayor, said the police chief at that time had set up a weekly on-call schedule between Harris and Helms towing services.

Helms asked how many complaints the chief had received from Harris Wrecker Service. Hill said there were no complaints.

Hobbs again pushed, “Don’t the signs at the end of the street say ‘shop Italy first.’” He said the city didn’t need a business to go out of business and urged the council to table the matter and put Helms back into the rotation and remove Martin Towing Service.

Hill said that Keith Helms had told him and officers that he was losing money because the officers did not always have a car “towed.”

Eventually Dennis Perkins Jr. made the motion to stick with Chief Hill’s decision. Jackson seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

In other business, the council voted to apply for the Homeowner Rehabilitation Assistance (HRA) Program.

Teri Murdock, city secretary/administrator, said if they got an application in this year, they city might not have to provide a funding match. She said this funding could be for rehabilitating one to 10 homes.

The homeowner, wanting to rehabilitate their home, must get an application from city hall. Murdock said the determination as to whether someone qualifies will rest with the HRA.

There was a heated exchange of words between Elmerine Bell and Jackson regarding the grant writer for this project. She accused the city of firing the former grant writer with GrantWorks. Jackson told her that GrantWorks pulled out but she insisted the firm was terminated and replaced with Tim Glendening and Associates.

Bell said the same type of program was offered and once changing grant writers, the funding was used to replace water lines on Harris, Williams and Hardeman streets.

The council tabled a request by Don Chambers to put in a fire lane at the fire station.

Guthrie explained that Chambers said the fire department was delayed four minutes recently when the fire truck tried to pull out and was blocked by a pickup parked across from the fire station bay doors.

Guthrie said a four minute delay is unacceptable.

Guthrie said they are not trying to stop all parking in that spot. He said they could park at the back of the buildings for 15 minutes to load and unload materials.

Jimmy Hyles, owner of one of the building in questions, said his truck has never blocked a fire truck from pulling out. He said there was always plenty of room to pull out.

Firefighter Sal Perales was on hand and explained that the driver cannot simply pull the fire truck out and immediately begin to turn. He said the driver must pull far enough out to clear the building before beginning the turn.

Hyles then questioned whether the city actually owned the property or not. So Perkins made the motion, with a second from Guthrie, to table the item until a survey was completed.

Several residents addressed the council during citizens’ comments.

William Dillinger questioned why the police chief wanted a raise when the Waxahachie Chief of Police only made $47,000 per year. Guthrie told Dillinger that the Waxahachie Police Chief definitely makes more than that. He then questioned why the chief of police was allowed to carry the police car home.

Hill said he was simply asking for equal compensation with the public works director and city administrator.

Joan Grabowski suggested the mayor forgo the salary he earns.

Mathiowetz, who was born and raised in Italy, also addressed the council. She said her mother was a business owner and her dad was a disabled veteran.

She said this city has seen some good times as well as bad. She said a tornado ripped through the city many years ago. “But I don’t think I ever remember wondering if we would survive any of these things but I am wondering now if we can survive the latest tragedy.”

She continued, “There is something worse going on now than anything we have gone through before. There is so much tension and division here now I am not sure that we will survive as a city.”

Continuing, she said, “I am asking as a citizen of Italy, for all of you to put your personal differences aside and do what is best for our city. Italy has the potential to be great again like it was in the old days. Please stop all the ‘he said, she said’ and just do what you were elected to do. What you are doing or allowing to happen is destroying us. It is embarrassing.”

She concluded, “If you cannot put your differences aside and work together for us, I am asking that each of you resign your position so we can get someone in your seat that will do what is best for us and not tolerate this. It reminds me of being on a playground. This childish behavior has gone too far. We want our town back – you were elected to protect us not destroy us. Please do the right thing!”

Steven Farmer said he was piggy backing what Mathiowetz said and urged the council to come together. He said the citizens don’t expect the council to agree on everything but urged them to find common ground to move forward.

John Droll said he agreed with the previous speakers. Speaking to the mayor, he said when making accusations against employees, they have a right to defend themselves. The mayor said he didn’t remember any accusations he made.

Victor Cauerrera addressed the council and urged them to get behind the mayor. He said the mayor is trying to make Italy better. He accused the council of wasting thousands of dollars on a roof with picnic tables that is not used by the public (city pavilion).

He said the council needed to think about the citizens rather than greasing each others’ palms.

The council also approved an interlocal agreement with Ellis County, approved Resolution R13-09-09 regarding candidate nominations for the Ellis Appraisal District Board of Directors, approved city council minutes, bills and earned compensatory time.

Departmental reports

The police chief introduced Officer Daniel Pitts and promoted him to the rank of corporal. Hill said Pitts usually works the night shift and praised his work.

Hill said the crime rate is 28.5% below what it was last year. He presented council members with new reports that break down offenses into an actual category by date.

Carrell said the water project is about two months ahead of schedule.

He said there had been complaints about a concrete tank but said concrete is an important type of container because of the chemical content of the water.

He said, “My goal is to make sure the citizens have safe drinking water and enough water in storage in case a house catches on fire.”

Martin, court clerk, reported the police department issued 589 citations in August and filed 42 warning citations. She said they cleared 38 warrants and sent 233 collection letters. Additionally, she said 164 warrants were issued. She sent 6,928 warrant cases to Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP for collection.

Murdock said a representative from TxDOT sent a map indicating where the “no parking“ signs would be located on Hwy. 34 (Dale Evans Drive) between I-35E and SH 77.

She also noted the grant writer would be in council chambers at 11 a.m. on Sept. 20.

The council went into executive session for an hour-and-a-half to discuss with the city attorney and consider necessary action(s) regarding personnel issues regarding the city secretary/city administrator, personnel issues regarding the chief of police, personnel issues regarding other city employees, powers under Chapter 22 of the Texas Local Government Code and all matters incident and related thereto.

After a marathon four-and-a-half hour meeting, the council returned to open session at 10:23 p.m. Guthrie said, “Other than specific direction given to the city attorney, the council takes no action at this time.”

The following videos were added Tuesday evening, September 10, 2013 at 9:10pm.

Comment by Adam Muirhead, 9/12/13-9:08am

I’m glad I made a smart move and avoided moving back to Italy. After watching the videos on the Neotrib on the “Italy police chief asks for mayor’s resignation” I’ve come to the conclusion that the city government in Italy is nothing but a 3 ring circus and a good ole example of the good ole boy system. If you want to see how our federal government is then take a trip to Italy to a city council meeting. The same piss poor excuse of government lies in all sectors ranging from your local level to federal. When will people realize that all forms of “government” exclude the citizens and are only established for special interests. What irritates me the most is the people complaining are the ones who keep voting these court jesters in. When will you wake up? Its not red or blue because that’s evil vs evil. You can see that as a prime example in our current state of government. Will you keep voting with the majority and the ones who keep you in these same ole same ole situations? Or will you think for yourself and vote for what’s right? Sometimes you have to step out of the box to do the right thing. When you sit back and do nothing your constitutional rights and liberties are slowing slipping away from your grasps. I think Steven Farmer would have been a great choice but when somebody brings something new to the table like he would have everyone turns their head.

Comment by Gayle Kinze, 9/12/13-5:44pm

We recently relocated as far away from italy as was possible. We took a large loss on the house we bought over 6 years ago. But after all the money we invested in the property it was still in the city of Italy. Things in Italy won’t change. This last election should prove the point. Mr Hobbs won the election, he was the citizens choice. But instead of honoring the citizens decision, the administration and council believe they have a right to supersede our vote. They have created a mess in their efforts to make Mr. Hobbs quit. I admire Mr. Hobbs for holding his ground. But I’m sure they will continue their antics to make this happen. This is made even more clear by filling the vacant council seat with Frank Jackson. The citizens voted him out for a reason. Do people not remember his illegal salary? Do people not remember the cover up with Susan the court clerk? And I would love to see an investigation into the misuse of grant funds mentioned by Ms. Bell at the most recent council meeting. Do the people of Italy so blindly trust a chief who has been rubbing elbows with Mr.Jackson? A chief that moonlights as a school teacher? Who gave him permission to take an extra job? His main priority should be the city, not scheduling his city duties around his teaching. And why does he fight so hard against the mayor? The new mayor, like the old mayor is his boss. I’m sure before too long the real reason for the firing will come to light. But again, it’s Italy, where people turn their back on truth as long as they are getting something out of the deal. Now you have childish behavior with the daily city hall employees. Grievances filed because “he’s not nice enough to me.” What a joke, in the real workplace you would have been tossed out on your behind for not following your bosses direction. You are just trying to stir the pot. And speaking of stirring the pot, citizens that run around churning up the waters, to make them muddy so they can gossip and tell everyone what “really happened” should not get up in public and tell everyone to grow up and get along. You are part of the problem. Spreading untruths and gossip is just as embarrassing to Italy as what’s going on in council. These problems are just the tip of the iceberg. The roads are awful, drugs too prevalent, school system is mediocre at best… And you can’t drink the water! It’s a shame, Italy seems like such a quaint little town. And I’m sure it is, as long as your family has been there scratching backs for a couple of generations! For anyone else, especially if you try to get involved, try to do the right thing, or stand up to the corrupt. Thats when the good people in Italy will do whatever it takes to make you rue the day you stepped foot in the biggest little town in Texas! ..

Sincerely,
No longer a citizen of Italy
Gayle Kinze
(You may now commence in dragging my name thru the Italy rumor mill)