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This is a copy of a speech given to a large crowd at a Brady City Council meeting.  We should make every effort to be sure we don't repeat this misgovernment. 

COUNCIL COMMENTS

NOVEMBER 21, 2000

I am grateful to see all of you here tonight.  I realize I have both supporters and opponents present.  I appreciate both being here.

I ask of Mr. Friar the opportunity to address you, uninterrupted, to answer some of the numerous allegations which have been brought against me.

Will you grant me that courtesy?

I will start with 2 most recent allegations.

The first pertains to the report in the San Angelo Standard Saturday, November 18.  A meeting was held at the home of Grant Everige the prior evening, according to the Standard,   “ The citizens were also told that Sharp and C-2 member Gayla Bowen, a Lohn resident, allegedly had gone through the city secretary’s files.”  It further read, and I quote, “City Police Chief John Stewart said he was told about the alleged incident earlier this week.”

Let’s look at what really happened, and possibly more important, how this criminal allegation against me got to the San Angelo paper.

As we all know, the mayor and three councilmen resigned and walked out a week ago Friday.  Discussions with the Attorney General’s office and the City Attorney disclosed this action was a violation of both the laws of the State of Texas and the City of Brady.  Many of you share my belief that this was a carefully planned effort designed to coincide with the departure of the City Manager and bring our city to its knees.  That intent is further reinforced by the fact one councilman approached senior city employees and spoke words to the effect “you had better resign and get started looking for another job today.  Without us here to protect you, the new bunch will fire you immediately.”   I can only surmise that this effort to cripple your city was intended to draw you into these individual’s pity party in a desperate effort to drive me from office.

When I returned to this news from a vacation a week ago Friday night, I found myself one of two remaining elected city officials and the senior of the two.  I had the option to either pretend this didn’t happen and stay home, or to go to City Hall Monday morning and, clearly with very limited authority, attempt to assure our fine employees the business of the city would go on, they would be paid, and as it is said, “This too shall pass.”  I elected the latter option.

I used the City Secretary’s desk and phone to begin review of our financial status and to open communication with the Attorney General and City Attorney’s office.

During the next several days, a number of employees and citizens visited regarding various business issues.  One was Gayla Bowen, inquiring about the status of a Freedom of Information Request.  Understand the Freedom of Information Act is a very serious Federal Law, designed to protect your right to access to public information.  Our failure to respond in the times required by law can result in severe penalties to the city – I felt we didn’t need more problems or attention at that point.

Because I had had to submit a similar request to obtain information several weeks earlier, I knew where the City Secretary’s working file was.  I removed it from the desk drawer, looked through the top ten or twelve documents, and found the document in question was not there.  I assured Ms. Bowen I would find status and inform her, and she left.  I then ask Ms. Matheny if she knew the status.  She came to the office, lifted a newspaper on the Secretary’s desk, and showed me the material.  It was transmitted to the requestor with a cover letter signed by Ms. Rimney shortly thereafter.

Those are the events, which, according to the newspaper, Mr. Everige took to both his meeting and the newspaper as an allegation of criminal activity.

Let’s look at how this made the paper – I suggest you listen tight, as this could, God forbid, happen to you.

Yesterday I visited the police department to inquire about the status of an investigation.  Following my discussion with Chief Stewart about the purpose of my visit, he asked if I was ready to talk about the tampering with records allegation.  I said no, it’s a criminal offense, and I felt I should consult a lawyer before discussing it.  I asked if he would share who reported it, he said no.  He then said he had talked with the City Secretary and there was no indication of anyone having gone through her files nor was there anything missing, he saw no reason to take the matter further.

He went on to say that he had not initiated the contact with the news person; she had confronted him Friday afternoon in the hall of city hall and asked him what he was going to do about the tampering with documents allegation.  I earlier read his reply; it is what I earlier read you.

Last night I received an e-mail that a member of the police department was at city hall attempting to find out if the call had originated there, and if so, who placed it.

John Stewart is a friend and a professional, and I believe has been victimized by the same malicious disease that has consumed our community.

Now, I ask you, would you like your name published in the San Angelo Standard, or any newspaper with an allegation of criminal activity, based upon false information told our community leaders, behind closed doors, and an anonymous call to the police department?

Let’s now discuss the allegation of Conflict of Interest.

Mr. Everige was quoted in the same San Angelo Standard article to have said “Sharp violated the law on March 21 when he voted in favor of a tax levy.” for the water plant.  He went on to say that I participated in further discussions on April 4th, and then did not vote, citing a conflict of interest.

Partially true.  I did vote on March 21, as stated.  Between March 21 and the April 4th meeting, I became very concerned over the difference in what I perceived in what was being told the people of Brady and what the people of Millersview, where our property is located, appeared to believe the understanding to be.

The people of Brady were being told that we would build the plant and recognizing there might, in some years be a shortage of water, only sell “surplus” water to Millersview.  I believed the people in Millersview, in committing to an investment, and debt load twice ours, had an expectation of a constant supply, and probably a pro rata share of available water.  I know the people of Millersview well, and I assure you we are dealing with well-informed sophisticated business people.  The Manager of their operation told me yesterday they have been led to believe, from the start, approval of the Brady project was conditioned on go-ahead of their project.  The implications of that should be clear.

I did vote March 21, and I did speak at the meeting on April 4.  I quote from the minutes of that meeting.  “Councilman Sharp questioned the obligation of selling water to Doole, Millersview, Richland Springs and DodgeHeights.  He felt that these communities might have been misled during the last workshop and thought the council should clarify it’s intention”.  The council rejected my request, and after further discussion, called for a vote.  A vote for the issue would be a violation of the trust of my constituents in Brady, a vote against, I believed would betray our good friends and neighbors at Millersview.  At that point, for the first time, I realized that since we do own a small parcel of property at Millersview, and there is the slight probability property values might be affected, there is the potential of a conflict of interest.  I stress potential tonight as I did that night in recusing myself from the vote.  My attorneys assure me there is no foundation for this allegation, and I stand before you tonight with confidence and inner peace that what I did, and what my conscience dictated was in consonance with the law, proper, and in the best interests of those I represented.

Speaking of the things, which have been found, or created, I would like to address Mr. Everige appearance on Austin’s Channel 36 TV last week.

I am a retired Air Force Officer with a service record, and subsequent career that my children, my wife, and I take great pride in.  I am proud to say that I am a comrade in arms with your sons who are memorialized on the entrance to Richards Park.  I am proud to be a fellow veteran with you, your fathers and mothers, and sons and daughters.  We join the millions, living and dead, who stepped forward to be the guarantors of the freedoms we all enjoy.  Now, Mr. Everige, I will exercise that precious right we share and to your face, tell you what I think of your conduct.

When you went on television from our state capitol to tell our state that I am a leader of a terrorist group, I found your behavior reprehensible.  I was highly offended, and I hope every veteran who learns of your vicious lie will share my total disdain for your conduct.

There were apparently many allegations made at your meeting that lacked foundation.  It would take all of tonight and some of tomorrow to address them and others that have been made.  I invite any citizen who attended your meeting or have heard rumors and have questions about my actions to discuss them with me.  I pledge to you I will be honest and forthwith as I have always been.

That concludes my remarks, please bear with me for one additional moment while I share the contents of a letter with you.

(Note:  I was there and remember you were under severe stress.  I have to remind you that you had left the lights on in your pickup when you went in.  You may also remember that when you asked Friar for permission to address the large crowd, he refused and stated he would not allow the use of the podium for a political speech.  The crowd then went wild and were shouting (I joined them), "Let him speak !!".  Clarence had to relent.  Everige sat in the very back with his two body guards.  – Harold Byler)

700 West 14th Street

Brady,TX76825

November 21, 2000

Citizens of Brady,Texas

%CitySecretary

City Hall

Brady,TX76825

Dear Fellow Citizens:

It is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation to you tonight.

With my departure, I recommend you carefully examine the form of Government prescribed by the Home Rule Charter of the City of Brady.  It calls for the Council- Manager form of Government. This is not practiced in Brady, Texas.

Continued failure to allow your government ignore your City Charter, the Texas Open Meetings Act, and other laws of our City and state will result in an ultimate state wherein a small group of citizens will gain control of the political and economic well being of your city.  They will continue to use these resources for their personal gain.

You must see that the practice of “Government by Character Assassination” is stopped.  Until you do, you will find difficulty in attracting competent, decent, honest people to serve either in elected office or on your city staff.

Sincerely,

Larry L. Sharp

Created: 03 May 2012