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Arcola council adopts censure resolution against Council member Fred Burton after heated debate
Summary
Council adopted a resolution censuring Council member Fred Burton for social-media posts and alleged defamatory comments about city employees; Burton defended his speech as private and criticized legal spending by the city.
The Arcola City Council voted on Aug. 12 to adopt a resolution publicly censuring Council member Fred Burton for comments the resolution described as false and defamatory about city employees and officials posted to social media.
Council read the resolution into the record, which recited complaints by city staff and referenced prior cease-and-desist notices and a Fort Bend County issued peace bond dated Aug. 12, 2024. The resolution stated that statements posted by Burton on the Arcola Citizens Facebook page harmed the reputation of the mayor, police chief and other city staff and concluded that the comments warranted public censure.
Burton responded in the meeting, defended his social-media activity as private speech and criticized the city for spending taxpayer money on legal fees. "It's my own Facebook page," Burton said, calling the resolution an improper use of city resources. Supporters of the censure said employees and council members had been harmed and that the council had a duty to uphold respectful public discourse.
A motion to adopt the resolution was made, seconded and recorded in the transcript as passed; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally in the text available. After the vote, the council heard public comments and several residents and council members urged civility and a renewed focus on city business.
