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January 11, 2026 – Volume 9 Number 2

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Hazard Migration Plan public hearing was held.

* Our analysis of the “Investigation Report” continues – Chamber Vote.

 

SCHEDULE:

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

Canceled - 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.

Saturday, February 14: Valentine’s Day.

Monday, February 16: President’s Day.

 

…..

 

 

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  .

 

Chamber Vote

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

“Griffith reported that, in June or July of 2024, Joe Taylor, president of the Kennedale Chamber of Commerce, abruptly rescinded an invitation to Griffith to discuss Griffith's potential role with the Kennedale Chamber of Commerce. Upon further investigation by Griffith, Taylor reportedly stated the board members did not think it was the right time for Griffith to join the Kennedale Chamber of Commerce Board. According to Griffith, Hull informed Griffith that Mayor Horton, Hull, and Taylor discussed not appointing Griffith to the Board.”

The Investigation Report has a Summary and analysis of allegations section on pages 23-30. On page 29 and continued on page 30 it deals with Allegation #11: Mayor Horton used his influence to prevent an election cycle for the Kennedale Chamber of Commerce and states:

“11. Allegation #11: Mayor Horton used his influence to prevent an election cycle for the Kennedale Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Griffith reported Taylor, president of the Kennedale Chamber of Commerce, abruptly rescinded an invitation to Griffith to discuss Griffith's potential role as a member of the Chamber. Griffith further reported the Chamber did not hold elections in 2024. Both Mayor Horton and Councilwoman Kobeck confirmed speaking to Taylor about their opinion that Griffith's involvement in the Chamber was a bad idea. However, no rule or law prohibits these individuals expressing such opinions.

Councilman Nevarez, a member at large of the Chamber, reported the Chamber had not had an election for the last five years because of low membership and low interest from the public. As such, although Mayor Horton expressed his belief Griffith is not well-suited to a position with the Chamber, as politicians often do about political adversaries, there are no documents or information confirming Mayor Horton actually prevented the Chamber's election cycle from proceeding. While the allegation may be true this conduct is not a violation of a law or rule.”

Why is Mr. Griffith wasting time and money on such allegations?

 

* * * * *

 

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.

 

Griffith vs. Hull – “The Threat”

See the January 4, 2026, Kennedale Observer for more details.

 

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Last Week

Last week’s Board of Adjustment (BOA) for Thursday, January 8 was canceled. There was a Hazard Migration Plan public hearing. The Hazard Migraton Plan meeting can be viewed at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg4GkhT83co  .

[(6:25) Start of meeting.]

 

This Week

There are no meetings scheduled this week.

 

Public Hearings

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.

 

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EDC

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

 

P&Z

P&Z will probably meet again on Thursday, January 22.

 

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)

  1. Everman 1.0260800
  2. Sansom Park 0.8457840
  3. Blue Mound 0.8138000
  4. River Oaks 0.7439910
  5. Burleson 0.7218000
  6. White Settlement 0.7147780
  7. Forest Hill 0.7004660
  8. Kennedale 0.6961900
  9. Pelican Bay 0.6762930
  10. Fort Worth 0.6700000
  11. Grand Prairie 0.6600000

 

Nearby Apartments Avoided

A developer wanted to build 252 apartment units just north of the northeast corner of Sublett Road and Highway 287. However, Arlington’s P&Z failed the request, and Arlington’s City Council denied to hold a public hearing on it. The developer could still build apartments there because of SB840 (approved last year), but it would have to be a different plan.

 

HELPFUL WEBSITES and CONTACTS

Would you like to be added to our mailing list? Please send an e-mail to:   KennedaleObserver@yahoo.com requesting to be added to our mailing list.

 

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Kennedale Observer website:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/index_3.html

 

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

 

The “Investigation” Report

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_13.html

 

Senior Tax Freeze Missing

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_10.html

 

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

The Bridge:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_12.html

 

Texas Open Meetings Act Violations???

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/blank_9.html

 

Kennedale Observer: KennedaleObserver@yahoo.com

 

The Kennedale Observer can be found on Facebook as KennedaleObserver.

Kennedale Observer website:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/index_3.html

 

Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

 

City Council Grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html

 

Old Texas Raceway property project:

http://www.arlspectator.mysite.com/whats_new.html

 

The City of Kennedale website: www.cityofkennedale.com

Mayor and City Council Emails:

Mayor – Brad Horton     BHorton@cityofkennedale.com       

Place-1 David Glover DGlover@cityofkennedale.com

Place-2 Thelma Kobeck       TKobeck@cityofkennedale.com

Place-3 Kenneth Michels  KMichels@cityofkennedale.com   

Place-5 Jeff Nevarez      JNevarez@cityofkennedale.com

 

Recordings of City Council meetings can be viewed at:

[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4a2pjrnxZ5XrbsXcoLOP4Q?view_as=subscriber].

 

To apply for appointed positions:

https://www.cityofkennedale.com/boardapp

 

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