White Settlement City Manager Jeff James (pictured)thanked county officials on Monday after they held an hour-long hearing on the matter
The manager of small suburban town in Texas will remain at his post despite being accused of repeatedly using the ‘N-word’ against some of the community’s residents.
White Settlement City Manager Jeff James thanked county officials on Monday after they held an hour-long hearing on the matter and decided not to act on a complaint filed last week.
‘The council has decided that no action will be taken at this time,’ White Settlement Mayor Ronald A. White declared before adjourning Monday’s session.
Former fire chief Russell Shelley brought the issue before the council over the weekend, writing in a letter that James described residents as ‘white trash n******’ several times during a meeting they held earlier this year.
Shelley claims that the city manager made the comments after expressing frustration with White Settlement residents who didn’t appreciate how hard he worked for the town.
Former fire chief Russell Shelley (pictured) brought the issue before the council over the accusing James of using the ‘N-word’ several times during a meeting
Shelley claims that the city manager made the comments after expressing frustration with White Settlement residents
According to NBC affiliate KXAS-TV, the decision not to pursue an investigation was made behind closed doors when city officials met in private earlier in the day.
James refused to offer a comment on the matter, telling reporters at the hearing that ‘If I get into this, it’s two wrongs don’t make a right.’
‘I am not going to justify any of this,’ he added.
The hearing in White Settlement, located less than 10 miles outside of Fort Worth, was attended by dozens of residents, most of whom were supporters of James.
‘I feel blessed that all these people were here today,’ James said. ‘I’m happy to be the city manager of the city of White Settlement.’
Shelby, who resigned as White Settlement’s fire chief three months ago, said he was disappointed in the decision not to probe the matter further.
It remains unclear what motivated Shelby to resign from his role as Fire Chief of White Settlement.
White Settlement has a population just over 16,000 and houses the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.
Shelby, who resigned as White Settlement’s fire chief three months ago, said he was disappointed in the decision not to probe the matter further (Pictured: White Settlement Municipal Building)