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January 4, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 1

HIGHLIGHTS:

* P&Z approved three large scale zoning projects last month (December 22).

* Thursday there may be a Hazard Migration Plan public hearing? [I have not seen an agenda.]

* Our analysis of the “Investigation Report” continues – Griffith vs. Hull – “The Threat”.

SCHEDULE:

Canceled - Thursday, January 8: Board of Adjustment meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 8: Hazard Migration Plan Public Hearing, 5:30pm.

Tuesday, January 13: KKB (Keep Kennedale Beautiful) meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 13: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, January 19: MLK Holiday.

Tuesday, January 20: City Council meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 22: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 27: Library Advisory Board meeting, 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 27: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

…..

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The city council did not meet last week. Their next scheduled city council meeting is Tuesday, January 20.

* * * * *

Leftovers:

The “Investigation” was listed on the executive session agenda for the October 21 meeting. Council Member Kobeck came out of executive session and made the motion to waive the attorney-client privilege and release the investigation report to the public. That motion was approved, 4-0. Unfortunately, I have not found it on the website. I had also made a public information request (PIR) for a copy and on Wednesday (November 5) I DID finally receive a copy.

WOW!!! There is enough there to keep coverage of this for months.

We have taken the .pdf Investigation Report and converted to text (far from 100% perfect) and tried to make improvements at: http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html .

Griffith vs. Hull – “The Threat”

The Investigation Report has a Bryant Griffith interview section on pages 5-15. Near the bottom of page 14 (the third paragraph from the bottom) contains:

“According to Griffith, City Manager Hull informed Griffith that Mayor Horton had said, "It would be a shame if he were audited by the IRS if he doesn't back off." Griffith also reported Joplin informed him Gilley stated, "If you don't back off, you'll catch a silver bullet," and "if you don't play nice, we will replace you." As discussed under the section related to Mr. Hull's interview, Mr. Hull denied Mayor Horton had made any of the statements and denied ever telling Griffith the Mayor has made such statements.”

The Investigation Report also has a Darrell Hull interview section on pages 15-16. Near the top of page 16 (the third new paragraph) contains:

“Mr. Hull heard from Joplin that Gilley had made a comment about someone, not specifically Griffith, catching a "silver bullet." Hull did not agree Mayor Horton had threatened Griffith with an IRS investigation. Hull did not agree that Mayor Horton made any threats against Griffith.”

This was slightly discussed at the May 1 meeting. The May 1 city council meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rtKoyQ1LXU . The Griffith complaint discussion starts at about 1:32:05. About 1:40:43 discussion starts on the alleged “threat” of being audited by the IRS.

The Investigation Report has a Summary and analysis of allegations section on pages 23-30. On page 29 it deals with Allegation #10: Mayor Horton threatened Griffith and states:

“10. Allegation #10: Mayor Horton threatened Griffith.

“Griffith reported Hull informed Griffith that Mayor Horton had said, in reference to Griffith, "It would be a shame if he were audited by the IRS if he doesn't back off." However, Hull denied that Mayor Horton made any actual threats against Griffith. Since Griffith's allegation is based solely on alleged hearsay which Hull denies hearing or repeating, no evidence supports this allegation.

Mr. Griffith also reported Mayor Joplin informed Griffith that Gilley stated, "[i]f you don't back off, you'll catch a silver bullet," and "if you don't play nice, we will replace you." According to Griffith, statements from Gilley, Mayor Horton's apparent ally, are attributable to Mayor Horton himself. Other than Mr. Griffith's ipse dixit assertions there is no basis to find Gilley's reported threats, regardless of whether true or false, are attributable to Mayor Horton.

As such, no evidence substantiates these allegations.”

So WHY is there a difference in their stories? Logic suggests that both are not true. So, what is the truth? We do NOT know what was investigated in the January-February 2024 [executive session], but it certainly seems like this was the item, yet Mr. Griffith continues to bring up his version as the truth without any supporting evidence???

* * * * *

Previous Analysis:

Results: The evidence does NOT confirm…

See the November 9, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Witch Hunt?

See the November 16, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Jeff Nevarez interview – Our Part I

See the November 16, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Jeff Nevarez interview – Our Part II

See the November 23, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Was the Investigation Hi-jacked by the city attorney and city manager?

See the November 30, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Pay to Play Scandal

See the December 7, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Wandell Investigation Files

See the December 14, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

Lack of Accountability/Afraid to Speak

See the December 21, 2025, Kennedale Observer for more details.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

Last Week

There were no meetings last week. There was a P&Z meeting on the previous Monday, December 22.

This Week

This week’s Board of Adjustment (BOA) for Thursday, January 8 was canceled. There is a Hazard Migration Plan public hearing scheduled for that time?

Public Hearings

On Thursday, January 8, Hazard Migration Plan.

On Tuesday, January 20, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ25-17 to change the zoning from MF (multi-family) to a planned development at 3100 Joplin Road.

On Tuesday, January 20, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ25-20 to change the zoning from R-1 (large lot single-family residential) to a PD (planned development) at 4365 & 4431 Dick Price Road.

On Tuesday, January 20, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ25-21 to change the zoning from C-2 (general commercial) to I (Industrial) at 7205 Hudson Village Creek Road.

On Tuesday, January 20, the city council will hold a public hearing on PZ25-22 to change the zoning from OT-4 to a PD (planned development) at 429 W. Kennedale Parkway.

???, the Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on BOA case 26-01 to allow a for a manufacturing, processing, and packaging facility – light at 420 S. Dick Price Road.

# # # # # # # # # # # #

EDC

The next Economic Development Corporation (EDC) meeting should be on January 27.

P&Z

P&Z met on Monday, December 22. They had three zoning cases to be heard. The agenda packet can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3685/files/agenda/10412 . The meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34WbWT7wabQ .

(0:51) Start of meeting.

(2:43) Public hearing #1 was for PZ CASE #25-20 to conduct a public hearing and consider a proposed zoning change from “R1” (large lot residential single-family) to a “PD” (planned development) at 4365 Dick Price Road [information starting on page 9 of the packet link above]. There were no speakers. It looks like they are wishing to take the current sand/gravel quarry and convert to a mixed-use development with manufactured homes. They recommended approval to the city council.

(33:50) Public hearing #2 was for PZ CASE #25-21 to conduct a public hearing and consider a proposed zoning change from “C2” (commercial) to “I” (industrial) for 7205 Hudson Village Creek Road [information starting on page 63 of the packet link above]. This is a straight zoning case. There were no speakers. They recommended approval to the city council.

(38:33) Public hearing #3 was for PZ CASE #25-22 to conduct a public hearing and consider a proposed zoning change from “OT-4” (old-town) to a “PD” (planned development) for 429 W Kennedale Parkway [information starting on page 78 of the packet link above]. There were no speakers. They are requesting on behalf of the fencing company and more. They recommended approval to the city council.

Other News....

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2025) for the county. Kennedale has now dropped to the eighth highest municipality. [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2025TaxRates.pdf ].

Top eleven of 41 (everyone else is < 0.65)