On Monday, November 25, 2024, the Longview News-Journal reported that a chaotic scene unfolded during a Hawkins City Council meeting, culminating in the removal of Mayor Deb Rushing from her role as municipal judge. The meeting, which took place on Friday, November 22, witnessed heated exchanges and physical confrontations, including an altercation between a resident and a police officer.

The council convened to consider the future of Rushing’s position, ultimately voting 4-1 to terminate her as municipal judge. This decision left Hawkins without a municipal court to adjudicate traffic violations and other local matters. The council had initially planned to appoint Larry Pack, a former Wood County Justice of the Peace, as Rushing’s successor but refrained from doing so because he had not submitted an application.

Rushing’s tenure as municipal judge lasted approximately 90 days. The council’s abrupt decision to remove her came just four days after agreeing to extend her position for another month, during a meeting where her removal was also discussed. City Attorney Leigh Thompson clarified that Rushing lacked the legal authority to serve in both her roles as mayor and municipal judge due to a city ordinance passed in 2022, which mandates that the municipal judge be a separately appointed official.

The tension surrounding Rushing’s removal escalated when it was revealed that her willingness to sign an arrest warrant for Place 5 Alderman Greg Branson, who is under investigation for alleged financial misconduct, was a significant factor in the council’s decision. Rushing indicated that her support for the warrant was a commitment to ensuring justice and transparency within the city.

During the meeting, Rushing recounted a conversation with Police Chief Paul Holland, in which she expressed her intent to expedite the arrest process for Branson. However, her comments were interpreted as controversial, leading to scrutiny regarding her impartiality as a judge. While Rushing was willing to proceed with the arrest warrant, Chief Holland later advised against it after consulting with other legal authorities.

The council’s deliberations were complicated by procedural issues. During a previous meeting, they were informed that they could not remove Rushing due to the wording of the agenda item. Despite this, council members called for a special meeting to address her position, leading to the contentious vote.

The meeting also saw significant unrest among attendees. Resident Todd Eddington attempted to address the council but was obstructed by Officer David Morris, leading to a physical confrontation. Witnesses reported that as Eddington attempted to bypass the officer, a scuffle ensued, resulting in Morris allegedly pushing Eddington, which inadvertently caused a woman to collide with a door. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, prompting Rushing to call for order multiple times.

Rushing’s removal has raised concerns among residents regarding the validity of her prior rulings, as the city attorney indicated that some decisions made during her tenure as judge could be challenged due to her legal ineligibility for the position. Municipal judges typically handle minor offenses, including Class C misdemeanors.

Despite the council’s actions, a number of residents expressed their support for Rushing during the meeting, questioning the motives behind the decision to remove her. City Utilities Clerk Cindy Douthitt criticized the council’s flip-flopping on Rushing’s position, suggesting that the recent votes reflected poorly on their decision-making process.

As the meeting progressed, some residents voiced their suspicions that the removal was politically motivated, particularly in light of Rushing’s involvement in the ongoing investigation into Branson. Tensions remained high as residents and council members debated the merits of Rushing’s work as judge versus the legal implications of her holding dual office.

In the aftermath of the meeting, Rushing stated that she enjoyed serving as a municipal judge and emphasized her dedication to assisting residents, particularly youth in legal trouble. She expressed confusion over the circumstances leading to her termination, asserting that her commitment to legal processes had been misconstrued.

 

 

Source: Longview News-Journal