Eastland City Commissioner Joe Williamson held his first informal townhall at Billy’s BBQ on June 8, 2026, where he addressed community members and answered several questions. The Alliance Gazette was present along with Julie Elrod from MicroplexNews, who recorded the townhall.
Williamson opened by describing his values and his plans for the city. Williamson stated, “I am a server,” noting his many years serving his community, at home and away, and continuing that service on the board of city commissioners. “I am very conservative, conservative to a fault,” Williamson stated, explaining that he wants to examine the roles and operations of the city and to ensure the city’s cost benefit is, as Williamson stated, “a one to one ratio to the services we are getting to the community.”
In addition, Williamson shared that he advocates for accountability, noting both the negative and the positive aspects that come with holding people accountable to their actions. Throughout his opening statement, Williamson emphasized that his role is to be “the voice for the community” and work alongside people with knowledge of the subject matter at hand.
Mayoral Concerns
Commissioner Williamson delved into the process of electing the officers of the board, reading from the City of Eastland’s Charter, in which he explained that the mayor is voted on by the commission. After this explanation, Williamson explained his nomination of Commissioner Hackney to that role.
“Everyone who supported me mentioned change,” Williamson shared as he explained what he heard from his constituents during his campaign. While he did not, at the time, know what this change was that his supporters wanted, he came to learn that it was a change in the mayor. He stated, “My constituents were very loud when they said they did not want Larry Vernon to be the mayor.”
Furthermore, Williamson added, “When it came time to make the nomination, that nomination was made representing those constituents. I will tell you, I did interview Mayor Hackney. I sat down and interviewed him…” After the interview, Williamson “felt confident in that nomination.”
The interview Williamson described took place before the vote, between two of the three commissioners named in an allegation raised at the May 18 meeting that Hackney, Williamson, and Stuart coordinated outside official chambers ahead of the officer election.
Asked about that allegation in an earlier interview with The Alliance Gazette, Hackney stated, “None of us conspired against LV.” The details of Williamson’s interview with Hackney, including when it took place and what was discussed, are not known.
Williamson’s Objectives
One of Williamson’s primary goals is to bring unity to the commission board. He publicly called on the other four commissioners to “lay aside their personal diversities, their personal animosities and unify this board.”
Some of the things Williamson would like to speak with commissioners and the city manager to address stretch across several topics. First, Williamson said street repairs need to be a priority. Second, Williamson raised concerns over bulk water sales. Williamson said the city has “lost a significant amount of revenue off of unpaid ticket sales from bulk water.” Third, Williamson raised concerns on fire protection, citing a very small number of firefighters with the Eastland Fire Department. Fourth, Williamson’s concern shifted to employee satisfaction. “I see red flags when someone says ‘I have been serving for the city for twenty-two years and I have worked with six city managers,’” Williamson cited as he discussed issues that he is concerned about regarding employee satisfaction and retention.
Questions for Williamson
Ruben Zarate stepped forward to ask the first question to Williamson. He described a dark cloud over the city and asked for Williamson to clarify the allegations against him, Commissioners Hackney and Stuart, and whether the allegations are true.
Ruben’s full question was: “Are you still gonna try to get rid of Tim Pitts as our police chief and Savannah Fortenberry because of a rift between y’all?”
Williamson’s response: “So one of the things I try to stay way out of because it is political trouble hooks, is the word rumor and perception. So I would challenge you to say who started those rumors.” Williamson went on to say, “I think when I was elected to the commission I might have to say that there were probably some serious concerns for people’s employment career here. Maybe because of the way they done people.”
Williamson then reflected back to the May 18 meeting when then-Mayor Vernon asked Williamson “are they safe?” referring to Tim Pitts and Savannah Fortenberry. Williamson said at the townhall, “I will tell you right now, say this out loud, Nobody is safe.”
Pressed further by The Alliance Gazette’s Jett Whittington, the question was raised: “What exactly will you do to ease the uncertainty at city hall?”
Williamson replied: “We have to be able to communicate. I scheduled a meeting with the city manager last week, the Wednesday after the initial commission meeting, it lasted twelve minutes. I got up and walked out. So that is a pitfall.” Williamson continued to explain what he said earlier, “When I say nobody is safe, that is not threatening, it’s more analytical that they do your job.”
Another community member stood up and asked a follow-up question: “Correct me if I am wrong but y’all can’t fire or hire anyone with the city, that’s the city manager’s job.”
Williamson replied, “The commission has the right to separate with the City Manager without reason.” More specifically, Williamson clarified that the commission can fire the city manager at will. In a further explanation, Williamson explained that there is a chain of command which has to be followed and returned to the unity that is needed in the city.
Williamson concluded the townhall questions with the note that if unity is unable to be reached, the city charter does have rules and procedures for the city’s citizens to correct the path. He also called on the city to work toward paths forward through planning, communication, prioritizing, and unity.
Source note: Adapted from The Alliance Gazette Facebook post published June 9, 2026.
The Alliance Gazette 
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