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Haslet resident alleges 'vindictiveness' in HCEDC board removals, says she has filed open‑records requests
Summary
During public comment, Joette Keane accused council members and HCEDC leadership of inconsistent treatment of board members, alleged targeted removals related to disagreement over a property donation and said she has submitted open-records requests for communications about the removals.
During the Oct. 20 public-comment period, resident Joette Keane of 1410 Poppy Drive criticized recent actions involving the Haslet Community Economic Development Corporation (HCEDC) and the City Council, saying the council27s treatment of two HCEDC members who were removed was hypocritical and that she has filed open-records requests seeking communications about the removals.
Keane named specific individuals and events. She said the council removed board member Frank Gatto after accusations at the Aug. 4 meeting that he used vulgar language; Keane said an alleged vulgar utterance attributed to Gatto occurred after the meeting had adjourned and that council member Watkins used the acronym "BS" multiple times at a different meeting. Keane said the council had declined to investigate slander allegations she said were made by board president (identified in the transcript as Mrs. Wirtz) and that council members had treated similar incidents inconsistently.
Keane said another board member, Mrs. Parker, resigned recently and that her resignation was described at an HCEDC meeting as related to contacting a realtor for information. Keane said two other HCEDC members previously resigned, which she attributed to "dysfunction of the leadership" and disagreement with Mrs. Wirtz. Keane said she believed some removals were motivated by the members27 questioning of Mrs. Wirtz27s proposal to donate 210 Main Street to the park board and said she had submitted open-records requests for the correspondence that led to the removals.
The mayor acknowledged Keane27s remarks; there was no formal council action tied to her comments during the meeting.
Why it matters
Keane27s remarks raise public concerns about transparency and process in the handling of HCEDC board membership and interactions between board members, the council and city officials. Keane requested public disclosure through open-records requests; the record of those requests and responsive documents were not presented at the meeting.
Ending
Keane concluded her remarks by requesting the council27s disclosure of the correspondence she has requested. The council took no immediate action on the matter during the Oct. 20 meeting.
