DUNCANVILLE, Texas - April 13, 2009 - The mayor of Duncanville, Texas had a member of the city council arrested last Tuesday for speaking out against the use of red light cameras during an official meeting. The incident took place during the discussion of whether the city should spend $59,000 to make street repairs. Mayor David Green recognized Councilman Paul Ford to speak on the contract item.

"Thank you," Ford said. "I want to let you know that earlier this evening during briefing, Mayor Green threatened me that if he told me to stop talking and I didn't, he'd have me arrested, and I want to let you know what I told Mayor Green."

Green became outraged and shouted, "Mr. Ford, you are out of order. You are not recognized Mr. Ford. You need to cease right now."

While Green yelled, Ford continued his brief statement without stopping.

"Unlike those thousands of people who are getting red light camera tickets, I will have the opportunity for a jury trial. It will be a jury of my peers and I will confidently put my fate in their hands. And now I'm going to discuss agenda item number three. I will vote against it, and here's why."

Before he had a chance to explain that the city could find the money for those necessary street repairs by cutting the city manager's salary from $179,000 to $160,000 and reducing payments to local chambers of commerce by $40,000, Police Chief Robert Brown grabbed Ford. Ford repeated several times the statement, "Chief Brown, I will not leave voluntarily, but if you believe I am violating the law by discussing this agenda item, I will submit to arrest."

Brown did not respond. Mayor Green had the audio of the city council videotape turned off as Brown dragged the councilman out of the chamber. Ford ended up hospitalized from injuries sustained during the arrest.

Ford has been released from the hospital but the mayor had a warrant issued for his arrest. Ford announced yesterday his intention to turn himself in. Since March, Ford has attempted to gather 1300 signatures to create a referendum on the red light camera program in Duncanville.

Call this excuse for a public official and put the fear of the people in him!  Tell him you refuse to pay his traffic fines for violations of red light camera automatic ticketing machines.  Tell him you know where he lives and that he had better watch his back.  Revolution Now!  Independence Forever!

Mayor David Green
Duncanville, Texas City Council
972-780-5000