Clerk out in Houston

HOUSTON — Even though he tried to take it back, council accepted the resignation of the city’s clerk Monday evening.

Steve Cunningham resigned verbally and then in writing Oct. 5, which was election day. Houston Mayor Rosemary Burnett said the clerk had violated the city’s trust. Deputy Mayor Lance Wilson explained that e-mails show possible collusion between Cunningham and a faction of Houstonians seeking to oust then-mayor Roger Purcell in a recall election last winter.

Cunningham said he did not intend to violate anyone’s trust. In explaining why the language on the recall petition resembled almost exactly language he had e-mailed to recall supporters, he said he wrote the words as an example to answer questions about what a successful recall petition would look like.

Councilwoman Virgie Thompson was the only person who voted not to accept Cunningham’s resignation.

A handful of Houstonians testified Monday, none in Cunningham’s favor. Alma Hartley, who ran in the election as a candidate for city council, read a letter her husband, Christian Hartley, had written on the matter in which he says he signed the recall petition but wouldn’t have if he had known how it came about.

“I do not believe that any combination of wrongs can be used to overcome a worse wrong,” Hartley read.

Ralph Buzard, who served as an appointee on the council two years ago, also testified.

“There’s people sitting on this council that were part of this,” he said.

He also said candidates who won office in last week’s election were tied up in it and thus the city should hold its election all over again.

Cunningham also took a turn testifying. He reiterated his points about the recall and told the council he decided to rescind his resignation after reviewing state law and found he’d done nothing illegal.

He said that in his reading of state law and municipal codes, he’s entitled to take back his resignation and the council therefore had nothing to accept.

Wilson begged to differ, pointing to a conversation city attorney Richard Payne had with the city’s treasurer and acting clerk. Payne recommended the city accept Cunningham’s resignation and offer him two weeks’ severance pay as a courtesy.

And it seemed the rest of the council agreed with Payne, and then some. Councilwoman Ruth Blanchard successfully proposed that the city also formally decide Cunningham is not eligible to be re-hired.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.

HOW THEY VOTED

Should the city of Houston accept clerk Steve Cunningham’s resignation?

Rosemary Burnett: Yes

Lance Wilson: Yes

Roger Purcell: Yes

Lee Himes: Yes

Natasha Schachle: Yes

Virgie Thompson: No

Ruth Blanchard: Yes