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Category: Local Government

County meetings, councils, school boards, budgets, taxes, ordinances, and public decisions.

  • Michael Hackney Responds to Eastland City Commission Allegations

    The Alliance Gazette has been following the Eastland City Commission closely since the May 18 commission meeting, when many allegations surfaced against members of the commission. Seeing as the allegations went against multiple members of the board, we have pursued each piece individually, assessing and interviewing the subjects at the core of the allegations.

    This follow-up comes from Michael Hackney, who first had no comment to our first set of questions. After he sent a Letter to the Editor to Eastland County Today, we followed up with the following questions:

    1. In your letter, you stated that former Mayor Vernon contacted the Texas Department of Agriculture, identified himself as Mayor of Eastland, and sought information about you, and that he also requested Sid Miller’s phone number. Is there any documentation, correspondence, or other evidence you can provide that supports these claims?
    2. You described being interviewed by the Texas Rangers alongside other former TDA employees regarding Sid Miller and Todd Smith, and you gave your own account of disposing of marijuana at Miller’s request. Would you like to provide any further detail or context regarding those events and the allegations connected to them?
    3. Your letter referenced comments made at the meeting by individuals named Brad Stephenson and Russ Thomason, including a reference to a walking quorum. Is there anything further you would like to share regarding those statements or the Open Meetings Act questions that have been raised?
    4. Is there anything else you believe the community should know?

    Commissioner Hackney scheduled a time to be interviewed to give his response. A full copy of his response was provided through The Alliance Gazette’s Google Drive folder linked from the original Facebook post. This article draws from his written response as well as statements made during the interview.

    In response to question 1, Hackney replied that he was contacted by an individual from the TDA informing him that Larry Vernon had called asking questions. Although Hackney did not provide any source, citing legal advice, he said as he understands the situation, “He [Larry] did talk to Sid Miller and I am not privy to what conversations came out of that…”

    In response to question 2, Hackney started off explaining that he, along with several others, was interviewed by the Texas Rangers as part of an investigation into Miller’s own hemp operation. This is where the Texas Tribune recording comes from in which Hackney admitted to dumping three small bags of marijuana. Hackney states that he was called in because he was “a personal friend. I was at the ranch. I roped with Sid, against Sid in competitions.” Hackney explains that he was there because Sid had asked him to oversee the cattle and horse operation on the ranch. “I was just there to help, I didn’t receive any money.”

    Hackney asserts this is the end of the story. He was not selling or transporting any drugs, he simply threw away the three bags and left it alone from there. According to Hackney, the Rangers did not pursue the matter further, and the Texas Tribune previously reported that the Department of Public Safety determined the interview had no investigative value to the Todd Smith bribery case specifically. That determination concerned the relevance of the interview to the Smith investigation, not a review or finding regarding Hackney’s disposal of the bags.

    In response to question 3, Hackney states that he and others in the community believe that Stephenson and Thomason were brought in to make comments “to influence the outcome of our election of officers.” Both Stephenson and Thomason have served as district attorneys.

    Addressing the allegation that he intended to fire Savannah Fortenberry and Police Chief Tim Pitts, Hackney claims that he has never said that he would fire the city manager or the police chief. “It was all plotted,” Hackney said as he concluded on the subject of the allegation that he discussed the firings.

    When pressed on the walking quorum question, Hackney claims “none of us conspired against LV,” referring to the allegations that Commissioners Williamson, Stuart, and Hackney met to discuss removing Vernon from the mayor role.

    In response to question 4, Hackney wanted to emphasize his dedication to the community in which he has been heavily involved in with his church and numerous other organizations. Hackney hopes that the community can move beyond this and continue in a positive direction.

    Hackney concluded his written statement with, “Our city needs unity, new ideas, bright leaders trying to help navigate the issues of positive growth, Christian values that guide our standards of living, all while raising our children in a safe, positive, environment. Our children are our future, lets invest in theirs…”

    The claims Hackney makes regarding former Mayor Vernon, as well as the assertion that Brad Stephenson and Russ Thomason were brought in to influence the officer election, are Hackney’s own characterizations and have not been independently verified by The Alliance Gazette. We will be reaching out to Stephenson, Thomason, and Vernon to offer each of them an opportunity to respond to these allegations. Any responses received will be published in full.

    Source note: Adapted from The Alliance Gazette Facebook post published June 9, 2026.

  • Eastland City Commissioner Joe Williamson Holds Informal Townhall at Billy’s BBQ

    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.