THE SPECTATOR: TRUST YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

  

Last week’s removal from office of Brenham Municipal Court Judge Bill Kendall has created a great deal of speculation, and drawn a fair amount of criticism.  In a closed door executive session, the Brenham City Council voted to remove Kendall from the judge’s position he has held since 2015.  City Manager James Fisher gave no reason for the removal, saying the City does not comment on personnel issues.  Because Municipal Court Judge is an appointed position, not an elected one, the City has the right to withhold their reasons.  Essentially Judge Kendall was an employee of the City.  He is also the Precinct Four Justice of the Peace for Washington County, a position to which he was elected.  Removing an elected judge from his position is a much more complicated matter.

As for why Judge Kendall lost his position with the City, I can tell you it wasn’t because he held two judicial positions.  There is no law on the books saying you cannot be a municipal judge and a JP at the same time.  I also don’t believe his dismissal had anything to do with his performance on the job.  The City Council has been discussing Judge Kendall’s possible removal in executive sessions since June.  Over the past four months I’m fairly certain that he was informed as to why his position was in peril.  As to why the City won’t tell the public the reason…besides the fact that they don’t have to…is that sometimes the truth can hurt other innocent people involved.  In this case, it’s better to just trust your elected officials who made that decision.

Those elected officials…Brenham’s Mayor and City Council….have been taking a lot of heat for this decision.  By the way, it’s not a decision they arrived at hastily.  They began uncovering the facts in June, more than four months ago.  Sounds to me like they did their jobs and took their time before removing Judge Kendall.  As for the criticism being heaped on them…folks, isn’t this why you elected them in the first place?  Don’t you trust them to make the right decisions on City personnel, and to put the right people in the right positions?  Personally I believe people just like to criticize elected officials.  They’re an easy target….especially on social media where you can remain anonymous.  But that’s a topic for another day.

As for this decision, I believe it was the right one.  And not revealing the reason for Judge Kendall’s dismissal was the right decision too.

And that’s the way it looks to this Spectator.