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Kountze CA Roderick Hutto -
Doug Stutts -
Cheryl Bean
The city manager for a small Southeast Texas city says he doesn’t know why a “so-called” media outlet is reporting misinformation concerning recent action by the city.
The information in question was posted on a Facebook page called “Hardin County Live Report,” whose administrator is a former city employee and candidate for mayor. Doug Stutts began the Facebook page in 2021 and has more than 3,500 followers. He ran for mayor in May and lost.
According to Kountze City Administrator Roderick Hutto, the city council conducted a special meeting on June 21. He said the meeting was called so city officials could “get some things cleared up” surrounding the city demolishing a structure on an alderman’s property.
“We did take some action on clearing some stuff up,” Hutto said. “Like who and when can someone contact our legal services, and to clear up some statements on Hardin County Live Report.”
He said the city is trying to get everyone on “the same page and to understand what’s going on.”
On June 15, city crews demolished a wooden structure on Alderman Jack Darden’s property in the 400 block of North Hickory Street. Darden has questioned the signature of Mayor Fred Williams who signed a “Notice of Results of Public Hearing” for an ordinance violation.
“Mayor Williams confirmed in the emergency meeting that he did indeed sign the demolition orders,” said Hutto. “I’m not sure how or why he stated that he did not sign the orders in the Hardin County Live Report interview.”
He also said the council discussed information about the character of the city, which some people posted on the Facebook page.
“It’s not true, we know it’s not true and they know it’s not true,” Hutto said.
He added the city was looking at filing a defamation lawsuit. Hutto said City Attorney Kate Leverett, of Germer Attorneys at Law, notified the city they cannot file a defamation lawsuit, but a corporation can.
Hutto said she advised the city to send a notification letter notifying the accusers of making false statements and informing them to cease and desist on the false statements.
Stutts posted an article June 21 on Hardin County Live Report that the mayor denied signing an order for demolition of a building on Darden’s property.
He posted the following: “This morning, we spoke with Councilman Jack Darden and Mayor Fred Williams about the ongoing situation at hand. Mr. Darden stated he will be pursuing actions against the city for the demolition of the structure, also mentioning Fred Williams never signed such the order to have his structure demolished.”
Stutts also reported that he reached out to Williams and that the mayor confirmed what Darden had said. “Mayor Williams told us he personally never signed a document to have the structure removed,” he posted.
Stutts said he talked to the mayor on the phone, but did not record their conversation
The post received only 11 comments and 17 shares last week.
Stutts also noted he did not cover the June 16 council meeting or June 21 special meeting.
He added if his page has posted misinformation, the post would be “taken down.” At press time, the Facebook page was not available to the public.
Resident Cheryl Bean, in an email, implies someone forged the mayor’s signature on the order. Bean, who ran unsuccessfully for city council in May, claims she had a discussion with Williams. She stated that the mayor said he didn’t sign the orders.
“I will sign a notarized, certified statement on my discussion with Mayor Fred (Williams),” Bean wrote in an email.
Also, in an email exchange with The Examiner, Bean said she will contact the county attorney and see if they have jurisdiction over the city. “If fraud has occurred the county attorney will get involved.”
Counties do not have jurisdiction over incorporated cities in Texas, only in unincorporated areas.