Scott Smith moved to Willow Park 10 years ago and almost immediately began serving his new city. Now, he can add city council member to his resumé.
Smith was appointed by a unanimous 4-0 vote at a special meeting of the council on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Willow Park Baptist Church. The meeting was switched from the usual gathering place of city hall to accommodate the large crowds that have been attending lately, many to protest in support of Mayor Teresa Palmer, who was elected in May.
Smith was appointed to replace Lea Young, who, along with serving in Place 4 was also mayor pro tem. She resigned in July after seven years on the council and almost three decades of serving the city in a variety of capacities.
Smith will finish the unexpired term that will be up for election on the ballot next May. He said he plans to run to keep the office at that time.
“I’m a dedicated citizen to this city,” Smith said. “I want to do right by everyone.”
And that’s exactly what he’s been doing for the past decade. Among the many ways he’s worked to help his fellow citizens include:
Serving on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Board, along with the Planning and Zoning Commission since 2016.
Being on the Capital Improvement Projects Committee since 2018.
A current member of the Board of Adjustments and a graduate of the inaugural Willow Park Citizens Police Academy.
“It’s been an ongoing endeavor for many years,” Smith said of joining the council. “It’s that next step.”
Smith was nominated as a finalist for the position by Council Member Chawn Gilliland. He was one of five finalists selected from a field of 13 who applied, including former Mayor Doyle Moss, who held the office since 2017 before being upset by Palmer in May following low voter turnout across Parker County.
The other finalists and council members who nominated them are:
Catherine Davis, a 2025 Willow Park mayoral candidate, nominated by Greg Runnebaum.
Buddy Wright, former Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions finalist, nominated by Nathan Crummel.
Jonathan Stickland, former Texas state representative, nominated by Eric Contreras.
Roy Kurban, former Tarrant County judge, nominated by Palmer.
After announcing the finalists in public, the council went into executive session for an hour and 40 minutes before returning to regular session to appoint Smith.
“It was a tough choice. There were some great candidates brought to the table,” Gilliland said. “I think he’s an excellent choice. He’s dedicated to the community, to his family.”
Then Gilliland added with a chuckle, “And he has the best yard in Willow Park.”
When asked if Smith could help bring some solidarity to the council and Palmer, who have largely been at odds since her election, Gilliland said, “Scott’s a solid neutral guy.”
Since Palmer was elected, not only did Young resign, but so did Runnebaum, though he rescinded his resignation a few days later. Also, Pat Chesser resigned as the city attorney.
When asked about Smith’s appointment, Palmer said, “I’m excited to work with Scott. I asked him to run when we had lunch.”
However, when reminded that she nominated someone else for the position, she said she did so because she wanted to “make sure we all had someone.”
As for filling the other resigned position, council voted to give Gilliland the authority to search for a new city attorney. Chesser resigned in July after serving the city for eight years.
In his resignation letter, Chesser said his decision was based on “all the fighting, chaos and what appears to be a conspiracy to destroy the city,” adding, “This has taken a toll on my family, life, health, and career.”
Council also voted to have city staff develop a new RFQ (Request for Qualifications) with attributes the city was looking for in a new attorney. The previous RFQ had several errors, including referring to Willow Park as a Home Rule City, whereas it is a General Law City.
The Community News has a copy of the current RFQ document that will be replaced. It appears to have been drafted long before Chesser tendered his resignation, for which no explanation has been provided.
During the citizens’ comments at the start of the meeting, resident Dixie Smith said Young stepped away because of disputes with her fellow council members with whom she’d worked alongside for years.
Young was watching the meeting online and sent a response by text to The Community News.
“While there were a number of reasons behind my decision to step away from council last month, I want to make it absolutely clear that none of them had anything to do with working with Eric, Chawn, Greg or Nate. Through many difficult situations and discussions over the years, they showed me nothing but respect and genuine appreciation.
“As individuals and as a group, they truly embody the kind of leadership our city needs - thoughtful, collaborative, and open to a range of ideas and perspectives. It was an honor to serve alongside them, and I’m especially grateful they trusted me to help lead as mayor pro tem.”
Concerning Smith’s appointment, Young wrote: “I’ve known Scott Smith for several years through his time on the planning and zoning commission. He brings valuable experience and insight, and I have no doubt he’ll continue to serve the city well in his new role on the council.”
In what has become a standard, several citizens took a turn at the microphone to start the meeting.
Unlike the week before, however, that portion of the night was less fiery, though several residents — and even non-residents — voiced their thoughts.
Palmer began the evening by saying, “Let’s not repeat what happened last week.”
Moss, while not present, sent a message via long-time resident Bernard Suchocki. He cited the many accomplishments of the council and himself as mayor, along with noting the city’s five-star staff and their receiving of an award from Parker County Judge Pat Deen and the commissioners court.
“I had heard from cities and elected officials around the county how fortunate we were to have this council and staff. I don’t understand how anyone could have issues with it.”
He went on to add, “Unfortunately, as one citizen put it, it’s turned into a reality TV show. And that’s sad. To the staff and council, I’m very sorry for the criticism, verbal abuse and unprofessionalism you have had to experience for the past couple of months.”
Upon taking her turn at the microphone, Dixie Smith looked into and addressed the crowd instead of the mayor and council.
“Tonight’s vote is not just routine. It is revealing,” she said. “Will they choose a steady hand or familiar friend?
She followed with a veiled threat to the council concerning future elections, saying, “They are watching.”
Libby Afflerbach, who has lived in Willow Park since 1991, said she hopes the city doesn’t return to how it was when she moved there.
“It took a long time and hard work to get Willow Park where it is today. It’s not the amateur-hour joke it used to be.
“But here we are peddling madly backward. Riled up residents are shouting at each other at meetings and harassing them on social media. The new mayor is making news calling police in another town against the city manager. Dedicated council members are quitting, and the professional staff is heading for the door. They are all taking decades of experience and skills with them.”
Palmer told the crowd that she made a concerted effort to compliment staff after coming into office.
Bryson Adams, a Parker County resident who does not live in Willow Park, made a plea for civility, reminding everyone to be “human” when dealing with each other.
“Can we do that in the context, the backdrop, the understanding that we are all human? We’re all someone’s son, someone’s daughter.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here