The Guthrie City Council met in executive session to discuss two pending lawsuits against the city on Tuesday evening, but not before a public discussion between two attorneys.
Once a motion and a second was made to go into executive session, Alex Bednar, an attorney representing Fazal Khan and Halftime Bar and Grill who filed a lawsuit against the City of Guthrie and four police officers, requested to make a public comment. Related story: Local bar owner files suit against City of Guthrie
However, City Attorney, Randel Shadid, denied the request.
“Not really. It’s not on the agenda,” Shadid said.
Council member Patty Hazlewood, who has one pending lawsuit against the City of Guthrie, replied, “Why not, why not?”
Shadid followed, “we are not hear to try his lawsuit.”
Hazlewood responded, “I think he just wanted to say something.”
“I thought I was on the agenda,” Bednar said standing in the audience. “I just wanted to make some comments.
“Whats wrong telling the people a little something here” Hazlewood asked from her chair.
“I was wanting to tell the council about things you (Shadid) and I discussed. I would like to discuss those publicly.” Bednar said.
Shadid replied, “I will tell the council what you and I discussed. We are in executive session. You can go and talk to the press.”
Bednar was not aware of the city’s procedure of making public comments.
According to the city’s website, any citizen wishing to address the council must sign up prior to the beginning of the meeting (sign-up sheet is located outside the Council Chambers entrance near the Planning Department window) and designate which agenda item they wish to discuss.
During the executive session on city hall’s third floor, Hazlewood was seen leaving the meeting and going back to council chambers to wait until the meeting was over. Hazlewood made it apparent she was upset about what was going on in the executive session.
Once back in session, council did not take any action on either pending lawsuits (Rural Water and Fazal Kahn) and council quickly adjourned.
Hazlewood stands behind her words
Earlier in the council meeting, after the consent agenda items were approved and the city manager’s report, Ward 2 council member Patty Hazlewood stated in public comments, “I believe the citizens understand how I feel about certain things due to an article that was in the Guthrie News Leader and I feel like I said everything in that and I certainly meant what I said.”
In that article dated May 10, it is noted that Hazelwood contacted the paper and shared some of the allegations that Kahn had made in his lawsuit, including harassment.
The council woman, who was seen on camera at the Halftime Bar and Grill during a Oklahoma City television news cast, went on to say that Guthrie Police Chief Damon Devereaux has lost control of his department and that she wants to contact the district attorney in Stillwater to have an investigation on the police department.
On Monday (May 16), Devereaux, in a formal letter, contacted the FBI asking for an internal investigation on the police department. Related story: Guthrie Police request FBI to investigate department
Note: Guthrie News Page and Guthrie News Leader are two separate entities.
Patty Hazelwood wants to contact the DA in Stillwater, how about just contacting the DA here in Guthrie because it is the same one. Tom Lee serves as District Attorney for District 9 which includes both Logan and Payne counties.
What a child.. I can’t believe someone that was elected to represent their district would walk out of a meeting because they didn’t get their way. She should be ashamed of her behavior.
IT SEEM LIKE GUTHRIE ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET FOR OUR TOURIST HOPING THEY WILL SAY “OH WHAT I NICE TOWN YOU HAVE” THE POLICE DONT SEEM TO HARASS THE PLACES WHERE TOURIST DRINK. LETS MAKE GUTHRIE I GOOD PLACE TO LIVE NOT A NICE PLACE TO VISIT.
The police do harass the places the tourist drink. They harass anybody, anywhere they can. This will never be a tourist town until something is done about the police and its Chief of Police.
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afterward you can write if not it is difficult to write.