Mike Ford sounded visibly upset at the beginning of the July 9 2012 Somervell County Commissioners meeting and brought up Jerry Lee's comments from the meeting at June 22 2012. I'm guessing that Jerry Lee really got under his skin with the comments about covering up information regarding some mismanagement of funds from Glen Rose Medical Center.   AUDIO -

As you listen, see who decided to bring up whose name as part of a *bully pulpit* and acted to discredit another citizen. It's funny because I don't see an agenda item by Mr Ford in which he says he intends to call out and excoriate Mr Lee for previous comments that Mr Lee made in citizen comments at a hearing. Do you? Seems to me discussing the future of Glen Rose Medical Center is not the topic he is griping about, which was about that embezzelment of funds. Incidentally, the case about the embezzled funds is, after a year, sitting on the desk of the DA. Since both Mr Ford and Mr Shaw said would talk about what happened, has anyone directly asked them for public comment about this? We know that the Texas Rangers were involved in this investigation and that an audit was done. What, if anything, was done to the person who embezzled, (or more, kindly, mismanaged) the money, how much was it exactly, and what safeguards were put in place to ensure that this doesn't happen again?

Ford

Ah. There's been a lot of dust stirred recently by Mr Lee and his recent vocal and written charges against me and the hospital authority are nothing more than his attempt to discredit those who disagree with his stance about the hospital. As we move into this discussion about the future of the hospital I feel that I must share with you that every single charge of illegal or unethical behaviour by me is categorically untrue. Indeed it's a fabrication. So the question becomes, who's telling the truth? Very simply, I just invite Mr Lee to turn in the proof of these charges to the proper law enforcement agency. ....This court has a lot more important work than to be distracted by inflammatory rhetoric.

He continued to talk about his feelings about the hospital, that he had invited people to come talk about various options regarding the hospital. At about 4 minutes in, Ford brings up Lee again.

Lee:

Yeah, you used my name in this meeting so I assure the people in this meeting that you in fact know I turned it over to law enforcement cause we had a one on one meeting in that hallway.  That was 2 weeks ago and I turned everything over to law enforcement. So you might want to let the people know that I, in fact, did do that and I don't need you to direct me on what to do.

Ford:

Well, Mr Lee, #1, you didn't tell me what you did. You assumed...

Lee

No I told you.

Ford

No you didn't

Lee

Yeah I did.

Ford

I'm not going to argue with Mr Lee. You did not and you did not have permission to speak in this meeting any more than anybody else does till this court opens it up to the public.

Lee

Don't mention my name again.

Ford

Pah, huh. Is that a threat, Mr Lee?.. Is it?

Lee

I'm just telling you, don't mention my name and expect me not to respond. It's what happens

Ford

Well, Mr. Lee, as I remember you've made some accusations in this court and I did not interrupt you. And they are false accusations. YOu seem to think that this is your meeting but you don't have the right to speak... your behaviour in this court has been incredibly disrespectful, boorish, you seem to believe this is your meeting and I'm here to tell you this is our meeting and I'm taking back control of this court. You are not going to spread untruths in this court. You have the right to observe and that's it.  This court affords the privilege to speak in this court and you can speak in this court but it's going to be on issues that have to do with, er, policy or direction. You or nobody else is going to be allowed to insult the integrity of this court . If you have something take it to law enforcement but you're not going to use as your personal bully pulpit any longer.

Lee

I do thank you

Ford

Don't have a problem with citizens disagreeing with us on policy or direction but those disagreements will be civil and to the point. We need enlightenment not obfuscation.

Nice that Mr Ford gets to be the sole judge of what is acceptable to be said at a meeting. Bully Pulpits for Me But Not For Thee