Texas City Mayor Dedrick Johnson is addressing a citizen-led petition that seeks to remove him from office. The petition was filed by resident Joshua McMeekin last week in Galveston County, and so far, around 900 signatures have been collected in support.
Reasons for the Recall Petition
McMeekin outlined several reasons for the recall effort in a six-page affidavit. The main accusations include alleged violations of the Open Meetings Act, failure to address issues within the city police department, and claims that Johnson has exerted “dictatorial control” over the city commission.
When questioned about these accusations, Mayor Johnson responded by saying that misinformation is “spreading like wildfire on social media.” He denied the allegations of being a dictator, stating that the term is completely inaccurate and the opposite of his leadership style.
Mayor Johnson’s Response
While Johnson expressed support for residents’ right to initiate a recall, he urged those signing the petition to make their decision based on facts. He acknowledged a mistake made during a public city commission meeting regarding certificate of obligation bonds, where public comments were taken after the agenda item was discussed.
He described it as a simple error and corrected it in the following meeting, apologizing for the confusion. Johnson also denied any attempt to stop people from recording public meetings.
A cell phone video suggested otherwise, but Johnson explained that the meeting in question was not public and was an internal meeting about police officers’ collective bargaining.
Public Opinion and Criticism
At a recent petition signing event held at Mainland Tools, several longtime Texas City residents shared their opinions. Wayne Hamilton, 82, criticized Johnson’s spending on projects like the new city hall annex, calling it wasteful.
Brad Jones, another resident, voiced concerns about Johnson’s handling of the police department, stating, “It’s time we get our city back to where it needs to be” and emphasizing the need for more police officers on the streets.
Police Department Issues and Allegations
The Texas City Municipal Police Association President, Rachael Sphar, publicly expressed support for the recall on social media. She highlighted the resignation of over 30 officers since early 2023 following the appointment of Police Chief Landis Cravens by Mayor Johnson.
According to Sphar, many officers left due to alleged retaliation by the leadership.
Johnson responded to these claims by stating that his administration has thoroughly investigated all situations that have come forward. He emphasized that accountability is important within the police department and that all matters are handled internally, following state laws and department policies.
Johnson further stated that there has been no retaliation against those who have publicly criticized him, urging residents to attend his quarterly community conversations for open discussion.
Support for Mayor Johnson
Despite the controversy, Johnson has received support from some community members, including Texas City Mayor Pro-Tem Thelma Bowie. Bowie praised Johnson’s leadership on social media, claiming his achievements “defy the norm.”
The petition requires 1,200 signatures to be certified by the city. If the petition is successful, Johnson will have five days to decide whether to resign. If he does not resign, a recall election will be held within 45 to 60 days, giving the residents the opportunity to vote on whether he should remain in office.
