A turning point in Duncanville City Council -- Paul Ford wins his argument

The meeting was held, as scheduled, and was accompanied by a tv crew, and 2 citizens' video cameras.  Perhaps it was those recording eyes that had such a moderating influence on how the meeting was run, but you, reader, will be pleased to learn that no one was physically injured in Tuesday night's city council meeting.

At the briefing before the meeting, Councilmember Paul Ford (3rd District) selected item 2C to be held off the 'Consent Agenda', and requested that it be placed onto the regular Agenda where discussion is held and votes are cast.  Item 2C read: "Award of bid to Paradigm Traffic Systems, Inc. in the amount of $184,020 for traffic signalization cabinets and accessories."

At the appropriate time during the Council Meeting proper, Mr. Ford signaled his desire to speak and was recognized by Mayor Green.  Mr. Ford proceeded to point out that both Mr. Green and Mr. Smithey had received significant campaign contributions from the Paradigm company, a traffic signal company, its subsidiaries, and its seeming "mailbox" or "shell" company called Durable Enterprises partnership, and pointed out that it would be improper for Mr. Green and Mr. Smithey to vote on the issue as it would be a conflict of interest and suggested they recuse themselves.  He highlighted the fact that only 2 bids were received, with the second being almost 1 1/2 times that of the winning bid from Paradigm, an unusually wide range.

He deviated from the topic at hand for 30 seconds, prompting Mayor Green to...tap...his gavel and look very agitated.  Speaking off topic about unflattering matters was the very thing that prompted Mayor Green to direct City Manager Cagle to direct Police Chief Brown to remove Mr. Ford at the last meeting that the Council held, nearly a month ago, on April 7th.

Mr. Ford then concluded his comments about the item and why he would not vote for it.

While he spoke, Mayor Green conferred with Mayor Pro Tem Dorothy Burton (At-Large) and when Mr. Ford was finished speaking, the Mayor asked if there was anyone wishing to comment.  Grady Smithey was recognized and denied any wrongdoing in his 2008 receipt of an illegal campaign contribution from a corporation as he had given the check back after it was pointed out as illegal.  Mr. Smithey then asked City Manager Kent Cagle if the bidding process for the traffic lights had, in any way, included him, to which Mr. Cagle answered, "No."  Mr. Smithey revealed that he'd been in hospital and so had no dealings with this matter and then continued explaining how he had handled that situation with the check from the corporation, and asked the city's attorney, Bob Hager, if he should recuse himself.  Mr. Hager answered, "You're fine."  Mr. Smithey finished his statements with, "Mr. Ford, I think your village back in Massachussetts is missing its idiot."

Then Ms. Burton took a turn speaking, without her usual clarity, conviction, or volume, saying that she understood how it was 'customary' for few bids to return when government entities sent out requests, and she spoke in support of the Mayor as he recused himself.

Mr. Green then spoke about his friendship with  local businessman, Mr. Bryant, and said, "I did not know Paradigm was a part of his system, and even though, Mr. Attorney, you say that there is no conflict of interest, I will recuse myself...I'm glad you pointed it out Mr. Ford.  I had no idea."  He then recused himself and turned the meeting over to Mayor Pro Tem Burton to conduct the vote.  Mr. Smithey confirmed with the attorney Hager that it was not necessary for the Mayor to recuse himself, but Mr. Smithey offered to recuse himself but declared, "I think this represents a new level of paranoia."

The action to approve $184,020 for traffic light components was approved by the Yes votes of Councilmembers Weaver, Cannon, and Burton to the No votes of Councilmembers Ford, and Jameson, and then Mayor Green and Mr. Smithey returned.  The Mayor joked that he was ready to take the chair back, and Ms. Burton joked that she would give it back.  The Mayor then asked lightly, "How did that come out?"

The meeting progressed and had the highlight of a new program initiated by Councilmember Jameson called the Keep Duncanville Beautiful Adopt-A-Park in which civic-minded groups like sororities, and others, can periodically convene on a park for some cleanup and planting.  The city will supply tools and training.  Note: If you are interested, but perhaps not officially affiliated with a group, please send a note to Brian of bswcitizen.com to join together, across the divide, to keep our city beautiful.  See you there!

Lastly, I expect elected representatives to act with the most noble intention of serving the will of the people, and to follow their own consciences.  Dissent, not for the sake of being ornery, is an appropriate and natural consequence of a person acting with such high motives.  Consolidated Majority of the Duncanville City Council, i.e. Mayor Green, Dorothy Burton, Grady Smithey, Ken Weaver, and Scott Cannon, take note: The absence of dissent is unnatural and unhealthy.  

Some good quotations about dissent.