March 26, 2004
Colleyville Councilman
Mark Skinner Speaks out on Mark Jones issue
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Councilman Mark Skinner
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Colleyville Place 1 City
Councilman Mark Skinner spoke to LNO's Editor on Thursday, March
25th in response to LNO's article on the definition of
"moral turpitude" and the request for the City
Attorney's opinion, click
here for that article.
Concerning the fact the document
from the City Attorney to City Manager Bill Lindley was stamped,
"PRIVILEGED-DO NOT GENERALLY DISTRIBUTE," Skinner said
that he had requested the document for his own edification and
for the citizens of Colleyville. When asked about the
privileged nature of the document, Skinner said he didn't recall
seeing the disclaimer and that he immediately went to the
content of the memorandum.
Skinner said he had no problem
with the Star-Telegram article being attributed to
him because, "...anything that impacts a public official
should always be available to the citizens."
Skinner said, based on the City Attorney's opinion,
that..."case law specifically excludes DWI from the
definition of moral turpitude, however it doesn't exclude
candidates and public servants from bad judgment."
Skinner said he was unaware of the fact Jones had previously
been convicted of a DWI. "Jones should have
anticipated that a mistake of this nature was going to be an
issue and should have disclosed the conviction on his
application," Skinner continued.
"While I don't see a pattern of this type of behavior by
Jones, it doesn't excuse the fact that he was convicted for DWI
and he should have disclosed that fact," the councilman
pointed out.
Regarding the "League of the
South", as reported on LNO, (Click
Here) , Skinner said he was unaware of Jones'
association with the fringe radical group but that he was going
to check it out.
Skinner said he expects the city council is going to address the
issue of Mark Jones and his continuing service on the Planning
and Zoning Commission. Skinner said, "while there may
be no legal obligation to remove Jones, the council should have
discussions along these lines to determine what is best for the
community."
Skinner also said the Jones issue
may , "not be a public discussion because it pertains to
personnel."
Skinner said he expected that an
item would be placed on the agenda dealing directly with Jones'
service on P&Z. Skinner did acknowledge that
sustaining Mayor Joe Hocutt's 14th veto (of the three P&Z
Appointees) would be tantamount to leaving Jones on the
P&Z. However, Skinner said he still can not support
the three appointees because it would, "change the
direction of the P&Z."
Skinner said that moral turpitude
is subject to many opinions and that, "if you asked 5 or 6
attorneys you are likely to get a different opinion from
each."
In Jones' case, Skinner he did not think that one conviction
should necessarily eliminate him from public service since he
saw, "no ongoing pattern." Skinner continued to
say that, "He has an outstanding public service record but
this conviction gives an indication that Jones' sense of
judgment is subject to question."
Skinner said that, "I did
not request the City Attorney's ruling to protect or exonerate
Jones, I felt we needed to have an explanation from his office
regarding moral turpitude."
In conclusion, Skinner said that
he is not comfortable with the charges against Jones and does
not know if Jones will continue to be a candidate for city council.
(Tuesday was the last day to remove your name from the ballot,
Jones did not remove his name).
"If Mark Jones continues to
pursue being a candidate, then the voters will
have to make up their minds if he is considered fit to serve on
Colleyville's city council.
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