Name: Yet another council member could get thrown out in San Antonio suburb roiled by divisive politics
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Yet another council member could get thrown out in San Antonio suburb roiled by divisive politics

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This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateThe Leon Valley City Council has initiated another office forfeiture hearing against one of its members in the ongoing feud among leaders in this suburban community.That makes three elected members now facing the possibility of getting ousted from the council.Acting on concerns presented by City Manager Kelly Kuenstler, the council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to launch a hearing into the actions of Councilor Will Bradshaw under Section 3.12 of the City Charter.It’s the same proceeding that resulted in the removal last year of Councilor Benny Martinez.Bradshaw, who opposed the removal of Martinez, is accused of engaging in a pattern of harassing the suburb’s police and undermining the authority of the city manager — in violation of the charter.It’s just the latest salvo in the pitched battle that has plagued Leon Valley for more than a year. The council already has approved investigations for those types of hearings for two other council members, Donna Charles and Mayor Chris Riley, over the release of internal city documents.And Charles and Councilor Monica Alcocer, who voted to remove Martinez, are the subject of recall elections in November.In regard to Bradshaw, Kuenstler presented videos to the council showing Bradshaw questioning the arrest of Olen Yarnell, the city’s former zoning chairman, after a late-night council meeting June 4.After addressing the council that night, Yarnell, 79, was arrested on an assault warrant and handcuffed in the City Hall foyer outside the council chambers and taken to Bexar County Jail.Yarnell’s arrest was related to a complaint filed more than a year earlier by Councilor Monica Alcocer, 78, who alleged he had aggressively grabbed her shoulder after a long council meeting in May 2019.Police Chief Joe Salvaggio said Yarnell was given a chance to provide a statement, but exercised his Fifth Amendment right to decline. The case was filed and an arrest warrant was issued.On ExpressNews.com:Salvaggio has said at least two police officers witnessed Bradshaw berating the arresting officer, Assistant Chief David Gonzalez, and comparing the officers to the Minneapolis police charged in the May 25 death of George Floyd.As part of her presentation, Kuenstler submitted body camera recording from officers on the scene. One of them shows Bradshaw shouting at Gonzalez at the entrance of City Hall at about 1:30 a.m. June 5.“You’re the problem with this country. You’re the problem. You’re the guys that are kneeling on people’s necks. I’m sorry but this is disgusting. This is disgusting,” Bradshaw, wearing a face mask, is seen telling Gonzalez in the video.The incident is the latest clash between Salvaggio and Bradshaw, who has accused Leon Valley police of using “gestapo tactics” in towing vehicles with expired registration and other operations, as well as overzealous enforcement of social-distancing rules for businesses in response to COVID-19.In a July 10 letter to Kuenstler, Salvaggio alleged a pattern of “harassment, negative stereotyping and creating a hostile work environment” by Bradshaw, a political ally of Mayor Chris Riley.Leon Valley resident William Johnson, who saw Yarnell’s arrest, spoke in defense of Bradshaw while addressing the council Tuesday.“I was stunned and speechless,” Johnson said. “It’s understandable for someone to get emotional and vocal in that situation.”But another resident, Evan Bohl, said Bradshaw crossed a line that night.“He acted like someone who didn’t understand his role in our community,” Bohl said.Kuenstler said the city has maintained order in the police force during her administration, firing two police officers for inappropriate remarks. But she said the Police Department has been treated unfairly by some citizens, including Bradshaw, who has an obligation as a council member to respect professional boundaries. He violated the charter by not going through the manager to level a complaint about the police, she said.“These videos are indicative of a council member violating the charter. And I’m asking you to help me stop this,” Kuenstler told the council. “I’m at my wit’s end. I don’t know what to do any more. We’re doing our jobs. And we’re constantly getting pushback and harassed.”Bradshaw countered that he’s been targeted by Kuenstler and Salvaggio for trying to expose “fraud, abuse, waste of city funds by our chief of police and our city manager.”“And then a complaint was filed against me. Is that not retaliatory? Is that not, I’m getting too close? I’m pointing out what’s going on in the city, so we’ve got to get rid of Councilor Bradshaw, and we’ve got to do it quickly, because we can’t have this?” he asked rhetorically.On ExpressNews.com:Wednesday, Bradshaw said he plans to file a lawsuit against the city.“I hope people can see the pattern of oppression going on in Leon Valley,” he said. “The council majority continues targeting citizens and officials who do not share their views. It is dangerous to democracy.”Kuenstler has announced plans to leave Leon Valley to pursue other opportunities on Sept. 30. In February, the council supported a plan for Salvaggio to serve as interim city manager until a permanent replacement for Kuenstler could be found.Scott Huddleston covers Bexar County government and the Alamo for the San Antonio Express-News. To read more from Scott, . | Twitter:

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateThe Leon Valley City Council has initiated another office forfeiture hearing against one of its members in the ongoing feud among leaders in this suburban community.That makes three elected members now facing the possibility of getting ousted from the council.Acting on concerns presented by City Manager Kelly Kuenstler, the council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to launch a hearing into the actions of Councilor Will Bradshaw under Section 3.12 of the City Charter.It’s the same proceeding that resulted in the removal last year of...

Yet another council member could get thrown out in San Antonio suburb roiled by divisive politics

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