UPDATED SEPT. 26, 2019: Ferris Mayor Jim Swafford resigns Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 18, effective immediately

UPDATED SEPT. 26, 2019

Sources state in a letter submitted to Mayor Jim Swafford sometime during the week of Sept. 9-13, the Texas Municipal league (TML), after their review of a complaint and internal investigation of Court Supervisor Misty MacDonald, ruled they found only policy and procedure issues that required additional training, and instructed the mayor to reinstate MacDonald immediately.

TML found absolutely no criminal activity concerning MacDonald, and no grounds whatsoever to fire her. And certainly no grounds to put on her on the flagrant administrative leave she had been on – at that time over four weeks.

Sources confirm Swafford refused to comply with TML’s ruling to reinstate the court supervisor.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, Swafford was contacted by MacDonald’s lawyer, who demanded the official complaint, full investigation, all legal documentation, and all written correspondence between TML and Swafford. Later, MacDonald’s lawyer had a lengthy conversation with TML representatives by phone.

After Swafford furnished MacDonald’s lawyer with the requested documents, he resigned later that afternoon at 4:32 p.m. He called Mayor Pro Tem Tommy Scott and said one sentence before hanging up: “I’m resigning because of health reasons.” 

The following letter was delivered to City Secretary Callie Green at 4:32 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019:

September 18, 2019 

To: Citizens of Ferris 

Subject: Notice of Resignation 

Dear Citizens of Ferris, 

After thoughtful consideration I have found it necessary to reevaluate my life’s goals and objectives. 

When I first decided to run for Mayor, I had hoped I could help facilitate positive changes for the City of Ferris. 

This is not something that can be done alone, this is something that takes a team effort from the governing body, they must diligently work together to accomplish such a tremendous goal. 

I feel the current council has their own personal agendas and are not focused on the overall benefit of the city and citizens and consistently make poor decisions that negatively impact our community opening us up to all sorts of liabilities that will eventually damage the city’s reputation and affect our potential for growth and development. 

I no longer have the support of council and they seem to not have the competency enough to listen to suggestions, reasoning or advice from professional agencies such as TML and consultants that are well versed in such matters. 

In order for the city to prosper there must be coherent decision makers who can make well informed decisions based on the facts presented to them and work together in unity for common goals which should be the well-being and quality of life for our citizens and stakeholders. 

There is a contentious and self-serving council that has lost focus and have created a hostile environment amongst staff and throughout the entire community. Since council is incapable of working together and supporting each other, staff and the community, I choose to remove myself from the negativity and this damaging culture.

I feel my life goals and objectives are to serve God and share love and support for my fellow man, and this path is no longer serving God’s purpose for my life, therefore I am submitting my resignation effective immediately. 

Sincerely,

Jim Swafford