RHOME — For those who moved to the rural Wise County town of Rhome looking for quiet country living, lately it has been anything but.
Video from last week's City Council session shows two people being escorted out of the meeting for alleged disruptions, all while Council members debated who to appoint to its vacant spot.
At one point, police Chief Brandon Davis takes out his handcuffs as he approaches resident Ramah Burns.
DAVIS: "Come with me. I said, come with me."BURNS: "She's the mayor."
DAVIS: "I said, come with me... now."
Someone in the crowd calls out that they have bond money. Neither person was arrested.
"You can't go to Dallas and disrupt their Council meeting," Davis told News 8 on Tuesday. "Nothing is different for the city of Rhome. If I'm charged with safety and security of the city, you cannot break the law in my presence and get away with it."
Sam Eason, who recorded the video, said what you see in the video is simply a symptom of a worsening situation in this town of about 1,500.
"Things are getting quite heated," Eason said.
According to both Mayor Michelle Pittman and City Council member Ronnie Moore, three city employees have been fired in recent months, including the city attorney, who the Council terminated last week during that meeting. He had been employed by Rhome for 17 years.
Moore said the termination had nothing to do with the attorney's role in the mayor's ongoing investigation into the police chief, but he acknowledges the drama between the mayor and Council right now is out of hand.
Moore and Mayor Pittman also agree the issues seem to be between the mayor and her supporters, and the Council and its supporters.
"I call it a total mess. A disaster. For the city, and reputation of this town," Moore said.
The mayor told WFAA the situation in her city is so volatile, she is concerned about her own safety, as well the safety of others.
"Yes, absolutely. Rhome is in turmoil," Eason said.
Eason — who recently offered to fill the vacant Council position but was turned down — said he will continue to record the city meetings in total disbelief that this is the new norm in Rhome.
The next City Council was scheduled to meet again at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
