Local Mayor Ousted

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(March 25, 2008)--The City Council in Copperas Cove voted 6 to 1 to oust Mayor Roger "Odie" O'Dwyer in a special city council meeting Tuesday morning.

O'Dwyer protested the move but council members ignored his charges and took action anyway.

O'Dwyer has been the subject of accusations of impropriety in office for several months; his detractors saying he routinely violated city charter by issuing direct orders to city employees in violation of the city charter that prohibits the mayor from taking "hands-on" action.

After the short proceeding ended, O'Dwyer could be heard at the back of the room asking news reporters when they might undertake a real investigation of the matter.

On Saturday a private citizen issued formal complaints against city council members charging the panel had not properly used directives in the Texas Open Meetings Act to announce a meeting on March 11 that led to Tuesday's action.

Those complaints have been forwarded to the Coryell County District Attorney's Office but as yet have not been acted upon.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Reality Check Location: Whack em Waco on Mar 31, 2008 at 06:36 PM
With actions like the city council have made, its not a wonder that people are labeling CC a "HICK" town. The citizens of Cove need to hold their elected officials accountable. Impeach them all, and start over.

Posted by: Tommy G. Location: Copperas cove on Mar 27, 2008 at 11:04 AM
I just read in the paper that now the council is going to get rid of Larry Sheppard because he voted to keep the mayor. Maybe we should call in the Rangers because this council is out of control. In the movies, this is where John Wayne comes in and takes care of the bad guys who were bullying the citizens. Any comments?

Posted by: KC Location: CC on Mar 27, 2008 at 10:44 AM
The only good way to change things is to get out and vote. Maybe we can change the "Good OLE Boy" chain.

Posted by: Jack Location: The Cove on Mar 27, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I saw on television last night where "Ditsy Diane" Steel is going to try to do something about the council. Finally, she is going to do something right!!! I will sign any petition that demands a recall/rollback of these council members. If you get a petition going Diane, be sure to publicize it.

Posted by: Patsy G. Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 27, 2008 at 09:51 AM
The city council very "conveniently" has it in the charter that the council members can't be recalled. How very adroit of them. Perhaps the next mayor should insert a clause that says the mayor can't be lynched, by the mob.

Posted by: legion Location: everywhere on Mar 26, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Cynthia, what questionable death? Please give more information! Where did this death occur? When? Is there somewhere online where we can read about it i.e. newspaper article, website dedicated to this death?! Please we need more info instead of a broad statement that applies to thousands of deaths each year! I for one am interested!

Posted by: Cynthia Location: Temple/McGregor on Mar 26, 2008 at 09:50 PM
We will investigate a council member, but let a questionable death go UNINVESTIGATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Anita Location: Temple on Mar 26, 2008 at 03:48 PM
I saw the pic this morning of councilman Fred Harris on the front page of the Temple Daily Telegram, making paper planes! lol, how funny! I just wonder what this mayor did to make the Cove's city council hate him so much, that they were willing to bring weeks of negative publicity to their city?

Posted by: jesse Location: cove on Mar 26, 2008 at 02:24 PM
A nice pic of one of our illustrious council members from the temple paper! http://www.temple-telegram.com/zoom.php?id=2192 I see this was a serious issue to Mr. Harris. I guess he saw it as serious as the crime HE committed! Instead of paper airplanes he should be making license plates in PRISON! Cathy is the email you are referring to available anywhere for viewing! I would love to read it! Seems that they want to keep everything hidden from us! If they have done nothing wrong and are proud of their actions, you would think they would share! lol!

Posted by: Bob Location: Belton on Mar 26, 2008 at 01:09 PM
I have heard different songs about this man from both sides. Does anyone really know what is going on in Cove and what the problems are? And for anyone thinking of moving out of the city because of this, think again. The "good ole boy system" runs all city councils everywhere....

Posted by: Vicki Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 26, 2008 at 09:48 AM
I see we still have some people in Copperas Cove that want to lay down and let others run things and not fight for what is right for this City. We need a Mayor that will fight, not wimp out because they are afraid of this City Council. What gives these people the right to make their values the whole City's Values! These people are suppose to work FOR the Citizens of Copperas Cove and They Do Not! " They Believe They OWN It" I have lived here for 20 years and the last 10 it has been getting worse and worse, this City Council takes the cake! This is not a city this a town ( a city grows and prospers) all this town and its Councils ever want to do is bleed it citizens dry, with its rules, permits and ridiculous regulations. This is not Sun City Arizona, we are not rich retired people, we are normal everyday people with families. We need to get rid of this and any Council that will not work for us!!!

Posted by: army family Location: copperas cove on Mar 26, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I am fed up with the City of Cove, the city council, and this ridiculous cluster****. What a waste of time and money. I hope everyone remembers this when the council comes up for re-election. We were going to retire here, but are now looking at houses in Lampasas and Florence.

Posted by: Cathy Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 26, 2008 at 06:56 AM
Well I do believe that the email says it all that was sent by Charlotte Heinz, she is obviously two faced and so are the rest of the Council that she sent the email to.

Posted by: 504CFS Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 08:01 PM
I find it simply amazing that $5000 was found out of some slush fund of found money but the city couldn't find money to help those who had floodingl ast year. Who approved that brilliant budget move anyway but the city manager...well isn't it a conflict of interest to have the city budget at your disposal and be city manager. I wonder.....

Posted by: Judy Location: Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Well, they got what they wanted. I sure hope the council enjoys this short-lived win because I for one will vote them out starting May 10th!!!!! Stay strong Odie!

Posted by: WM on Mar 25, 2008 at 07:09 PM
It's amazing that it took so long to get the mayor gone so that the city can do some work and not continue losing money due to him. If he was a good person, he'd have taken the advice along time ago from others - instead of dragging this out. If you can't understand what the job is, then you shouldn't do it. If it's not what you want it to be, then don't do it - be a commander somewhere else. Good job, councilpeople!

Posted by: Cassandra Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 05:14 PM
I personally didn’t vote for Mayor O’Dwyer, but since my fellow Covities did vote him into office their decision should stand. If he did do something against the city charter by all means reprimand him, but do not remove him from office. That decision should be left to the voters

Posted by: clay Location: ccove on Mar 25, 2008 at 04:58 PM
I wonder which council member KB is? This is insane. Mr. Odwyer was voted in by a majority, why does the council think they can get away with over-riding the voters? That is tyrannical, vote them out and maybe they will understand the difference in "majority rules" and "wanna be dictators"

Posted by: Sandy Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 04:57 PM
I think this city has always been corrupt. I have lived here since 1974 and went through the kangaroo court system myself with a city employee. It is always good to know that nothing changes here.

Posted by: Walter Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 04:51 PM
What a great job the City Coucil did today. I am so proud that they stood up and did what was best for the City of Copperas Cove. Now maybe without the Mayor interferring in everything the council can get some real work done.

Posted by: Laura Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 04:38 PM
This is no surprise. We all knew this vindive council was planning this all along. I hope the citizens will be fed up enough (as I am) to consider a recall of the council members and other parties to this charade.

Posted by: KB Location: Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 04:00 PM
From the first moment I noticed "O'Dwyer for Mayor" election signs... I had no doubt 'Odie' would take this city on a journey that would make the whole town SICK! I invite those singing the praises of this faux-Moses to read, learn and understand the city charter and its structure! It will be refreshing to see a day in Cove that 'bantering and hollering' are not the order of the day. So those petition wavers - please let's find some order and get on with the business for the entire community - not self-serving ego boosting!

Posted by: James Location: Texas on Mar 25, 2008 at 03:30 PM
And I thought Nolaville city council had issues!

Posted by: DD Location: Belton on Mar 25, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Wow! I've read and heard so much news on this the last several weeks. Looks like Cove has some serious problems. I would urge the residents there to get out and vote too!

Posted by: jesse Location: cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Personally i think they could have censured him and moved on instead of increasing the salaries of the lawyers and wasting city money, OUR money! The people in cove could have decided if they wanted him to continue as mayor in november! Maybe he should have plead "no contest", right fred? lol! I hope this issue will inspire those not registered to vote to do so! We need to stop letting such a small group of people (the few that actually vote) decide things i.e. smoking, alcohol! These council members have been elected by a fairly small number of people! Get involved folks! Its the only way to try to make things better for all! Win or lose make sure that you are represented: VOTE!!!

Posted by: Mad Location: Fort Hood on Mar 25, 2008 at 01:43 PM
It's a real shame, voted in by a majority of the voters, removed by 6. Something wrong with this picture.

Posted by: Juanita W Location: Copperas Cove, Texas on Mar 25, 2008 at 01:28 PM
This is an outrage.

Posted by: cissy Location: copperas cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 01:21 PM
the city council ought to be arrested

Posted by: Coveite Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 01:20 PM
We will take our city back. Those city councimen and women will be recalled.

Posted by: Sgt. Glenn Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 01:15 PM
What a crock. The city council and the city attorney are the ones that should be run off.

Posted by: Christi Location: Belton on Mar 25, 2008 at 01:08 PM
What a shame. I guess the city council and city leaders were not going to stop until they got what they wanted -- no matter how much bad publicity it brought to the city. How petty of an issue, but it got the results they were pushing for. I am glad that we moved out of Copperas Cove and no longer have to put up with its "good ol' boy" mentality.

Posted by: Leo Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Another fine example of Democracy in action! This is the biggest farce I have ever seen and this town is a shame! The entire city council should be removed from office immediately!

Posted by: KittyRoo Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Until Fred Harris tries to run for the post of King Almighty Most Sublime Kangaroo.

Posted by: James S Location: Copperas Cove on Mar 25, 2008 at 10:23 AM
So is Mr. Reeves now Captain Kangaroo?

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