The Ellis County Press: Mayor drops ethics charges against councilman

Mayor drops ethics charges against councilman
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Editor on 07/10/2008 11:13:00


JOEY DAUBEN
The Ellis County Press
MIDLOTHIAN - Mayor Boyce Whatley and the city council's three-member
subcommittee investigating Midlothian Councilman Ken Chambers for alleged ethics
violations dropped their case Tuesday, July 8.
"…received a hand delivered report this morning from the city," Chambers, an
outspoken proponent of individual rights and private property protections, said.
"Just a heads up the mayor dropped all charges and the subcommittee.
"According to the report, the mayor is not willing to accept responsibility or
fault regarding what has been done to me, nor pay my legal expenses. Tonight
[regular council meeting] he will announce there are no violations."
Whatley has been criticized by friends and critics alike for his handling of the
ethics investigation into Chambers, who was alleged to have discussed
confidential city business with local construction contractor Ken Halverson, who
has a lawsuit against both Waxahachie and Midlothian for construction contracts
at Mid-Way Regional Airport.
Both cities contribute $40,000 to the airport. A seven-member board appoints the
airport manager, but the controversies surrounding the contracts and Chambers'
stance against annexation were part of a 40-question ethics subcommittee list
that produced no violations, Chambers said.
The Ellis County Press
was scheduled to attend Tuesday's Midlothian council meeting to report on the
entire committee investigation. Details can be found at elliscountypress.com.