VAN, Texas — There are fewer and fewer people left running the City of Van. The city is located in Van Zandt County, about an hour east of Dallas.
The city mayor and a city councilmember both quit Friday following a narrow vote to fire the city manager late Thursday night, apparently over his handling of the termination of the police chief.
Now-former Mayor Tammy Huff confirmed her resignation via text message to WFAA. Another city councilmember posted a statement to Facebook confirming the resignation of Councilmember Linzy Neal.
Following an hours-long executive session Thursday night, the city council voted 3-2 to fire City Manager John DeSha, causing him to stand up and walk out. He had only started the job in January.
Just hours before DeSha shared with the council how he was settling into his new residence.
"On a personal note, all of my belongings are in the same zip code. I just need to get them all at the same address now," Desha said.
Now-former Mayor Huff is seen nodding with a smile and a councilmember is heard saying "nice."
No reason was given in the meeting for the termination, but it comes after a week of controversy over DeSha's firing of the town's police chief, Melissa Davis. Her termination letter, obtained by WFAA, said she was fired for an "insubordinate, unprofessional and belligerent attitude."
Her supporters said it stemmed from an ongoing dispute with the city manager, which came to a head in a disagreement over how to handle graffiti in the town of about 2,600 people.
The city manager wanted the police chief to write citation or enforcement letters to businesses that had been tagged by graffiti, said Clint McNear, a field services supervisor for the Texas Municipal Police Association and supporter of Davis.
He said the chief organized a community graffiti cleanup instead.
"She chose to help rather than punish victims, so the city manager decided she’s insubordinate and problem," McNear said. "The citizens want that sort of relationship with the police department."
McNear said Davis is not commenting publicly on the advice of her lawyer. DeSha told WFAA before his firing Thursday that it was a personnel matter on which he would not comment.
At the council meeting Thursday, a vote to give councilmembers the power to hire city department heads -- which would include the police chief -- failed by a vote of 3-2.
In a statement posted to Facebook, City Councilman Mark Heatwole said the morale of city staff had declined over DeSha's 6-month tenure and he had failed to consult with the city council "in a diplomatic manner" over the firing of Davis as police chief.
"The people of Van are strong and resilient as well as our city staff. The City of Van is performing at high standards and will continue to do so. We are moving quickly to heal the divide," Heatwole wrote.
A special-called city council meeting has now been set for Wednesday, July 17 at 6 p.m.