Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Mayor Hudson - Just Like Old TImes

Mayor Don Hudson may have won the election and have control of the city council, but how much control over the city government is really "legal"? Wilmer Public Citizen exposes what we believe to be corruption, but you, our readers make the call.


March 2006: Wilmer Police stop a suspicious driver with a passenger in the car - the mayor's granddaughter. Upset about the traffic stop, Hudson's granddaughter calls the Mayor, who rushes to the scene and demands the officer release the two girls without issuing a citation. No big deal? Would you believe the Mayor threatened to fire the officer if he did not comply?

That scenario set up the real issue here: misuse of public property and personnel with a bit of misappropriation, fraud and nepotism. It seems that the traffic stop may have been drug related. So the mayor sends the two girls (minors) with another officer to get a "pre-employment" drug test with paperwork from the City Secretary's office and at the City's expense. Fortunately, the lab's policy didn't allow them to process "pre-employment" drug screens for the underage girls without a photo ID. So what, you say? What's wrong with that?

The first "thing wrong" is the Mayor's intrusion into police activity. (abuse of office) The second is using city resources to chauffeur the girls to the lab in a police car with an on duty officer. (misuse of city equipment & staff) The third is the "pre-employment" testing at City expense. (attempted misappropriation) The fourth problem is that the girls weren't eligible to work for the city as minors. (employment fraud) And "wrong thing" number five is that it would not have been legal for the city to hire the mayor's granddaughter under Texas nepotism statutes anyway.

As usual, the time for action on this matter has probably expired (statute of limitations) and the facts merit no action on the part of any official investigating agency. The evidence can't be published because minors were involved and any further identification or details might invade their privacy. WPC has acquired both the lab documents and copies of the time and mileage statements from the officer taking the girls to the lab. If it were possible to find the police incident report with our limited resources, or obtain affidavits from the officers conducting the traffic stop and the "pre-employment drug screen" trip - then maybe something could be done. (Bob Schell/Ben Stool - are you getting this?)

For now, it's just more "S.O.S.D.D." (ED: Same Old "Stuff" Different Day)

Would incidents like this or others involving the Mayor's relatives be motivating the Mayor to terminate a long time police officer? Given that the officer has already been "no billed" (cleared) by the grand jury of criminal charges and suspended, why did Wilmer PD continue to investigate? Why was the officer polygraphed after being cleared and asked to resign or get fired? Can you say hostile work environment and retaliation? We can only wonder and ask our questions like a good quiznic.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is "old times"...2006. Why bring it up now? Can't you find anything Mayor Don has done recently? What's going on now?

Editor Publisher said...

Anonymous makes a very good point - why indeed now? Unlike some other publications WPC endeavors to publish the facts, not the "truth" - and while truth is completely subjective and readily available - facts sometimes take longer to come to light. A tight story takes a bit of time to develop and the evidence isn't always immediately available (sources are like that). But you ask "why now?" - better late than never! Besides there is one more year before the statute of limitations expires in March 2009.

Anonymous said...

Why bring it up now?? You have to be kidding. Who are you-Diane Hudson? Tiny Lange? Let's bury the Hudson skeletons before they float to the surface, just make it to the statute of limitations and we will be fine?

Well, it is about time that one came out. Glad to see that the Big Wheels are Turning as they should. Corruption does not become legal and hush-hush because the statute of limitations has expired. It is still corruption and it is still a mentality. Anyone who believes that if they make it to the statute of limitations without being arrested is the worst kind of criminal. Get over it, THE REAL CROOKS ARE STILL IN OFFICE, when will you people understand that. Here, give the crooks a hammer so they can hit you over the head with it. WAKE UP and smell that stuff they are shoveling in your face. Hudson can't tell a lie in his own mind, all of them are truths. I can tell you what Mayor Don has done recently....threaten, threaten, threaten. "IN-TIMI-DA-TION is making me late, it's keeping me waiting." The Mayor has told all of the employees that if they speak a word about the happenings in City Hall they will be fired. Lange tells them who they can talk to and who they can't talk to. Sounds a lot like the "mentality" is still alive and well in City Hall. Why is it that the problems are still there after the election and the firings? I think we got rid of the wrong people!!!!

Anonymous said...

dudes look why are yall tryin to hurt people like that or get them kicked out or whatever dude quit be goobers the wilmer people have voted and yall need to deal with it
and yea there is no reason tp bring up the past that means u guyz have no lives but hey i am not tiny lange or diane hudson

Editor Publisher said...

I maybe should've rejected the previous post as quasi-literate - but the expressed sentiment requires a comment, "dude". WPC isn't about hurting people or trying to get them kicked out for no good reason. We're just trying to eliminate the criminal element from government here. We are dealing with it within the bounds of civilized behavior. The Wilmer people have voted based on fraud, lies and promises (like getting a grocery store and schools if the liquor option passes). I must point out that we DO have lives here we want to make better.
And in case you haven't realized it yet, all news reporting is about past events.

Anonymous said...

Mayor Don Hudson is our present Mayor. Whatever has been done in the past is past. Leave it there. I think Mayor Hudson has started this term out effectively, even to the point of asking the citizens what they would like to see improved in the City. Why don't we all go to our corners and watch and see how well this all shakes out. Airing dirty laundry only gets you aired dirty laundry. Blaming things on City Hall only gets you frustrated, haven't you ever heard the old saying "you can't fight City Hall", so instead of fighting, why not come together as citizens and work together for a better neighborhood, in fact, you could even speak to your neighbors ever now and again. By the way it takes less muscles to smile that to frown or frump all the time!

Anonymous said...

Oh, dear.
If only one citizen out of two wants to make a difference, where will it put Wilmer's future I wonder? Or those who are fighting for it? I wonder sometimes if I should even bother, seeing as some just wish to pull the blankets over their heads in hopes the bad things will go away. How very childish.
In ignorance there is bliss. Unfortunately, there is also tyranny, oppression, and deceit. Do you like being lied to? Do you like the fact you pay property taxes when certain others do not? Do you like the fact you work hard, only to have your belongings and possessions stolen because there are not enough police to cover the city and when the report is made the detective does nothing with it? Do you like the fact you have no say before the city council? Do you like the fact that some have a free ride in this city, that they are untouchable when you are not? Isn’t this country about equality? Doesn’t everyone have the same rights afforded to them under the Constitution? Excuse me, but I thought they did. Perhaps I was mistaken.
How much longer do you expect to be able to turn your back on your own community? Two years? Three perhaps? Has the time you've spent with your head under the covers and your back to it made things better so far? Has it made you feel better about yourself, about the community?
Are you one of the ones sending your child to Ferris schools because you are scared to put your child in Dallas schools? Are you yelling about it?
Are you one of the ones who have to drive to Lancaster for groceries, wasting gas and time? Or Hutchins? Are you yelling about that?
Are you one of the ones who drives to Dallas, Lancaster, or Seagoville to shop…for anything? Are you yelling about that?
Our water is outrageous! Are you yelling about that?
There are no jobs here. Are you even yelling about that?
There are questionable motives within City Hall and the Police department. Are you even concerned?
Is it better because you’ve packed your head under blankets and turned your back, only to turn and yell occasionally? No, it isn't, because there’s still a long way to go and a lot of work to do.
Do you believe it will get better if we just duck our heads? If you believe that, truly, why are you even bothering to voice your opinion or read this article? The next time you have to drive way out of the city for groceries, or for any type of store bought item; the next time you complain about your water bill or even the water itself; the next time you even hint you’re displeased with the Police department or city hall ask yourself if you even have the right. Then decide if you're going to put your head back under the covers.
If you do, maybe it will muffle the screaming so the ones who are spinning the lies can go back to hearing themselves think. I’m sure they’d be ever so grateful.

RBT

Anonymous said...

Ok, which grand-daughter is this? Come now, tell us. We are all adults. Nevermind, I'll get copies of the tickets and find out. Go ahead, go hide behind your papaw, You'll find him at the house, you know, the one in PALMER!!

Anonymous said...

"Just Like Old Times"....you are so right. A leopard never changes it's spots. If he's talking, he's lying.

Editor Publisher said...

CONFUSION & CREDIBILITY
Dear Readers - I must profess that I inadvertetly mixed up two different incidents. While I've been corrected that there was no traffic stop (different time, different relations) - the story stands except for that lead-in paragraph. The alleged facts of what prompted the drug testing are far more sinister than my mistaken introduction.
And in response to "Anonymous" - we may all be adults, but at the time, these girls were not adults. I'm not a breeder but I will respect the privacy of children. Additionally, we made no mention of any citations being issued and would not expect any to exist in any case.

Anonymous said...

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF OZ
Hudson is the great Wizard of Oz...Remember all the smoke, pulling levers and yelling with his image enlarged to scare anyone away? Well, when the curtain was pulled back all you found was a little man that wasn't so scary at all. He just wanted people to think he was MIGHTY. This describes Hudson, he is the Wizard of Wilmer.

Lange is the wicked witch...she drives around Wilmer looking for mortals to terrorize and her winged monkey is Robert Wells.

Hagen is the Scarecrow....She's looking for a brain

Leal is the Tin Man....He's looking for a heart

Rollison is the Lion...He's looking for some courage

Lowe is Dorthy...He's clicking his heals to get home

And all of the people that stayed home and did not vote are like the munchkins, they are waiting for the good witch Glenda to show up.

So if anyone asks you where you live, tell them you live in the land of OZ and if they want to meet the Wizard, just show up at the next council meeting and you can meet the whole cast of characters. They won't be in costume, but wait until they start talking, you will know who they are.

Anonymous said...

To the guy who uses "DUDE" so often. Maybe you get your drugs from these people and don't want them shut down? Just a thought. I guess that you would not have a problem with the way they run your city because you have never been a victim of a crime here. Or maybe you haven't done any work on your home and had to pull a permit and deal with the likes of King. You are lucky. Most people in Wilmer probably feel the way that you do, but wait until they have an disagreement with them or you get pulled over by Wilmer P.D. Or maybe a family member needs to get medical attention right away and you have to wait for the ambulance, because it is in Ferris or Lancaster eating. Have you ever found yourself tight for money when your taxes come due? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to not pay them, because you are the Mayor or Building inspector. If this happens, maybe you could ask them to waive these taxes or give you the money to pay them. Of course we both know that this will not happen. Wilmer has corrupt city officials and they get re-elected every year. Yes, we are stuck with them, but it will not stop any of us from telling the truth about them. We will here from you sometime if you ever decide to have the misfortune of crossing their path. So Dude, go back to la la land and wait until they hurt someone close to you or even you yourself. No one is trying to hurt anyone here, if you are an official of this city, then it makes sense that you should at least appear to be honest. You should at least appear that you do not use your office for favors or that you would take any money for finders fees from developers. Their hands are not clean and if this is the place that is willing to bring their corrupt behavior to light, so be it.
But make NO mistake this is not to hurt them, they are hurting each and every citizen in Wilmer whether you know it know or not. by their actions and their inactions.

Anonymous said...

Just for your personal information, DUDE, the ambulance is not allowed to leave the City unless the fire department is responding to a call. So, no, DUDE you don't have to wait on a response for medical aid if the fire department is having lunch. As for the police department, you're not going to get pulled over unless you're breaking the law. How about everyone lays off of the employees that are there to save your lives...? You bash them now, but when one of them is performing CPR on your wife or husband, child or grandchild, you sing their praises. Or how about the police officer that consoles children that just saw their father beat the snot out of their mother? If you all want to make this about Hudson and his council clan, go ahead. The employees that work for them, with the exception of one or two, really do their job the right (legal) way.

Anonymous said...

Please let me clarify. I have taken so many hits on this. I feel Don Hudson is doing more than enough every day that you can report on without resorting to printing past history. No, don't forget history but he is providing all of Wilmer with plenty of ammunition on what type of transgressions he is committing today. Never forget past performance but report on today's activities.

wow said...

some of you people need to find something to do with your life. if you dont like what hudson is doing then get out of wilmer.

wow said...

also you only put in what you want and not every body else comments

Anonymous said...

TO WOW
You have got to be kidding me! Why should we leave Wilmer we live here. Hudson is the one that should leave, he lives in Palmer. So I really don't understand your statement. The problem may be that this city is being run by someone that has no interest in Wilmer except money. How do you fix something that is so broken when you can't get anyone involved? Again an election came and went and all of the promise's went right along with the election. Not everyone in Wilmer voted for this man. So for those of us that did not are stuck with him. Even if you give him a chance he lies. Remember that city wide letter he sent? He promised code enforcement (none) he promised high grass clean up (none) Junk car removal (none) Drug houses busted (one) Some of us are just tired of the lies. So thank you for this site, at least we can vent here, because you can't vent to anyone that sits on the council. Furthermore, when is that council going to stop Hudson in his tracts? They have ALL the power and they are chosoing not to use it. Why? Again, back to WOW I am not leaving Wilmer. I pay taxes here and my taxes pay for this city to operate. Now Hudson does not pay taxes to the city of Wilmer and never did. Don't you think he should leave? If you don't then you must be a Hudson or you just keep believing his lies.

Anonymous said...

This is in response to the person who wants to continue to defend the City of Wilmer's employees. Me thinks you protest to much! There are very few employees that work for this city worth anything. If you are smart and are in need of an ambulance, you are better off hoping they are on another call. Get real, the citizens pay ALL (and I mean ALL) of your salaries. Don't think for one minute that the officers that work for us can really do their job. They cant. They are so caught up in the political crap, that they can't do the right thing, most of the time. They need a flow chart to remember who they can or can't pull over. Case in point...Earnest Terry. What did he get for years of service to Wilmer? Nothing. Compared to a certain dispatcher that works for Wilmer, he got a royal scr*wing. Look, there are a few good employees, but the bad far out way them. We are a small city and we have more drug houses than a city our size should have. WHY? So quit defending some of the most incompetent employees one will ever run into. Most of the citizens that have lived here for years know what we are talking about. Our trust in them has long gone and will not return anytime soon. Just ask anyone that has been robbed here if the crooks have been caught? The answer is NO. Not now, not ever. Or ask the person who had to pay a pawn shop to get back his belongings. Ask him if Wilmer PD helped him. He'll tell you NO. So give us a break and quit defending a bunch of lazy employees that need to go. You could replace them with a few GOOD ones and get the job done. But, its not your money that is being spent, its our. THE REAL TAX PAYERS OF WILMER.

Anonymous said...

Would you people like a little cheese with that whine.

Anonymous said...

As a matter of fact, I would like some sharp chedder with mine. At least this web site allows citizens to be heard, unlike Wilmer's City Council. They just want everyone to praise them for what they do. Heaven forbid that someone would recognise their incompetentcy. Or even to ask them anything in regards to the decisions that they make. So much for an open and reachable council. They have no desire to allow anyone to be heard if it is negative. It is simply censorship. Can they really be as perfect as they(or you) think they are? I always though we all have some areas which need working on, but I guess, from what you wrote they have NO areas that need impoving, they are PERFECT. P.S. as to the comment about the fat person...When someone has nothing intelligent to say, they usually resort to name calling. Most who post here stick to the issues they are trying to make, most do not name call. So, Joe keep up the good work and we will read the good with bad here and feel reassured that you are not censoring this web sight.

Anonymous said...

In response specifically to the anonymous posting on 07/30/08 at 11:30AM.
If you or any other citizens of Wilmer have any concerns regarding the Wilmer Fire Department emergency services (ambulance or fire)please call me at any time. As Chief of the department it is my responsibility to make certain the the level of service meets or exceeds the needs of our citizens.The Wilmer Fire Department is fully compliant with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Standards as well as the Texas Department of State Health Services requirements. The department has passed all state inspections with no deficiencies since becoming a career department in 2005.

Editor Publisher said...

READ CHIEF SMITH's COMMENT
He is an employee and a resident of the City. Wilmer appears to have at least one department that understands public service and the concept of being a public servant.
THANK YOU CHIEF SMITH!