Mission Accomplished — Rowlett Mayor Harper Resigns
From the pages of The Rowlett Reporter — Mayor Harper Resigns
Editor’s Note: The following letter is published in its entirety without edit as it was addressed to Mayor Pro Tem, Todd Gottel.
When Debra and I returned from South Carolina a week ago I was re-energized. I love the City of Rowlett…I am passionate about the City of Rowlett. But, I learned I have to harness that passion in more positive ways. After the haze brought on by our family emergency was dissipated, I knew I had to redouble my efforts to improve communications with the Council and with Rowlett citizens and planned to make that special effort this week with hopes that the Council would do the same.
However, late last week I was provided an advance copy of the upcoming City Council Meeting agenda which clearly showed no interest on the part of the councilmembers in curtailing the name-calling and unwarranted personal attacks on my integrity and character. Three separate agenda items are set for April 19 with a clear purpose of weakening the Rowlett Mayor. Even you refused to provide me specifics of any events you believe are violations of the Code of Ethics for which you claim I should be censured or reprimanded. That, no doubt, is because there are no violations.
Regardless, it has sadly become very certain to me that you and the majority of the City Council will not let me govern. Instead, the name-calling and nattering will continue and it will continue to injure the reputation of not only me but also the City of Rowlett. So, I will reluctantly step down from the position of Mayor of Rowlett, effective immediately.
I am very pleased that I had a major role in the transformation of the City of Rowlett over the past four years. Today, Rowlett is recognized nationally as one of the top 25 Best Small Cities in the entire United States of America! In all of Texas, the Texas State Comptroller has hailed the City of Rowlett for achieving a unique and high level of transparency and accountability. I am very proud of both of those significant achievements. And, there are others.
I wish you only good fortune in moving forward. I believe both the momentum and direction are in place for Rowlett to achieve its true destiny. I urge you to stay focused on the truth and be forthright with the citizens and friends of Rowlett. Maintain the direction that you and I, working together, set during the past four years. Do not allow any more backsliding. I will pray for your personal strength.
I regret disappointing any one of the overwhelming majority of voters who re-elected me in 2010 to lead the City. However, I will remain involved in city matters, but as a private citizen. I will continue my public service elsewhere and am exploring several opportunities to serve within the North Texas region.
I truly wish the citizens of Rowlett continued prosperity and growth.
Respectfully,
John E. Harper
Always the victim, right John? Poor, pitiful, persecuted, downtrodden, outnumbered and now OUT OF OFFICE me. 
However, late last week I was provided an advance copy of the upcoming City Council Meeting agenda which clearly showed no interest on the part of the councilmembers in curtailing the name-calling and unwarranted personal attacks on my integrity and character.
John, may I call you John? John, the only name calling that was done, was done by YOU, in public and private.
Three separate agenda items are set for April 19 with a clear purpose of weakening the Rowlett Mayor. Even you refused to provide me specifics of any events you believe are violations of the Code of Ethics for which you claim I should be censured or reprimanded. That, no doubt, is because there are no violations.
John, there were violations. You know it, we know it, the City knows it, everyone knows it, well, everyone but ‘John’s Ego’.
Regardless, it has sadly become very certain to me that you and the majority of the City Council will not let me govern.
John, you were not in office to GOVERN, you were Mayor, your job, as far as I am aware, was to PRESIDE over the Council and to interact WITH the Council and City Manager to then govern as a group, the City of Rowlett.
John, you were Mayor, not KING…
Honestly, I am certain that somewhere along the line, somewhere during the last four years, John Harper did some good things for the City of Rowlett and it’s citizens, but in my opinion, after the last election, Harper seemed to think that he was on a *Mission of Divine Intervention*.
A legend in his own mind I suppose? 
Now, I have another matter to address.
Jerry Berggren, who says he is no longer the TEA Party President, called me this morning at about 9:10AM to tell me that Harper wasn’t going to be at the meeting tonight and asked me if I wanted to place a bet on the matter.
Jerry was adamant that Harper NOT going to be at the Council meeting tonight, now I know why.
It appears that Harper used the Rowlett Texas TEA Party to announce his resignation. The site I am using as citation for this story has a time stamped trackback from the Rowlett Texas TEA Party site at 11:20AM this date. That would be about the time The TEA Party site posted it I have to assume.
Jerry, you do realize that is akin to *insider trading* do you not? Trying to lay a *sucker bet* on inside knowledge? Jerry, I didn’t think you would sink to those depths. It appears that my “Go f*ck yourself” may not have been nearly as out of line as I was thinking it was.
And I have gone over Michael Gallops Facebook page very carefully, as has he, and neither of us can find a comment from you about Harper and his actions at the Rudderless TEA Party meeting… So much for your claims of rebuttal against Harper for his knocking your TEA Party and it’s credibility out COLD…
And you accuse ME of lying? You have truly enlightened me Jerry, you have given me a very good showing and have made me fully aware of WHY a Libertarian hasn’t got a chance in HELL of ever getting elected or taken seriously.
Thank God that John Harper is gone, and again, I thank God that Donna Davis won a seat on the Council, otherwise, in MY opinion, by now, citizens would be clamoring for a Jerry Berggren recall and/or resignation.
To those trying to make tacky, name-calling comments here and in my email, you might want to read this: Comments and Registration policy for The TexasFred Blog
If you support Harper and his agenda, I see why, the name calling is a very classy touch…
Like I said in my email……..
This is like watching a really good movie, congrads to you and all the others involved.
And so, will the council be better now?
BZ
BZ — Oh hell yeah… Immediately… We have a Council that is awesome, the only problem was the Mayor and his dictatorial attitudes… Well, he’s gone, and now the healing can begin!
Fred,
I only followed this from a distance, not being from around “those parts,” but I congratulate you on this victory.
Let us hope we are are successful in November of next year!
Great story - wonderful ending. Sorry to see this story over, from an entertainment view, but glad it’s over and I really hope there is no sequel in the works!
I am very happy for the people of Rowlett, and wish them all the best for their city and their leadership.
John Harper,
This country was founded by Christian men who had integrity and Christian principles that taught them to respect others. The West was won by these types who had a strong character to stand up to anyone who did not follow this unwritten law, which became the standard. As long as this country is free, and a majority of Christians, there will always be a cowboy like Fred or I around to put people like you in their place.
This is TEXAS. If you don’t have the character to be a true TEXAN, a man with integrity and respect for others, then leave it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgg3jRh-C0c
TO ALL POLITICIANS OUT THERE:
Remember that when you start to “pontificate”, there will always be someone out in the audience, just like TexasFred, listening to you.
And this person listening will be grading you using a bullshit detector.
TexasFred has trained a whole lot of people with his actions.
So, POLITICIANS — remember this!!!!!
TopGun and Mr. Chuck — Thank you Sirs! Those are kind words and high praise, I am very flattered…
Hello Fred..As one concervative to another..I wonder what this entire situation is about. The Newspapers etc have not been specific about the “food fight” between the city council and the mayor…In my opinion they should all be out of a job this next election cycle. It has made our city look uncertain and contentious. Shouldn’t we have a city council that can act like adults and play well with others..then a mayor can be voted out and not ran out of town. What are the specifics of the Mayor Harpers situation that leads to this action?
Thanks so much
Sealady — Not to be rude, but, apparently, you have NO idea what actually went on… The Council DID try to work with Harper… Harper refused to work with ANYONE other than his own ego… That is NOT hearsay on my part, it IS 1st hand knowledge, you see, I am VERY involved in Rowlett politics and local government, Harper was a dictator and a tyrant, it’s THAT simple…
Regarding the reasons for all this happening, I did an 11 part series on it, on THIS blog… Again, not to be rude, but you walk in here and start with this “In my opinion they should all be out of a job this next election cycle. It has made our city look uncertain and contentious.” bullshit?? And don’t have a clue?? And expect ME to take YOU seriously?? Get out… Really?
This blog is VERY educational, but remedial reading is YOUR responsibility, not mine, I did my part when I posted Mayor John Harper vs The World, Parts I through XI…
Our Council had taken all that could be tolerated, Harper was a Drama Queen and a tyrant, and his departure is the best thing that ever happened to Rowlett, the Council can now get on with the business of Rowlett and making it grow, and hopefully, build a tax base through business growth that is sustainable and beneficial to ALL of us.
Fred…I am new to your blog and have asked honest questions. Our household worked on John Harpers election and were informed at that time. We were impressed with his financial resume. And yes, I have no idea of what went on in your blog as I have never seen this before. I am not comfortable with a self proclaimed “conservative” who uses profanity and a lack of specifics…sounds very liberal to me. No blog for me…creepy crawlies..shiver…
Sealady, as I said, you strolled in here with a line of BULLSHIT..
You came in here with a preformed opinion, saying the entire Council needed to go… That is the BULLSHIT I took issue with… Those are the words of a Harper supporter or someone that truly is very uninformed, I’m guessing Harper supporter looking to STIR the BULLSHIT!
And now YOU want to preach to ME and kinda-sorta call names?? Sounds like a troll in my opinion, and one of Harper’s few remaining supporters..
I documented the Harper debacle like no newspaper dreamed of, your not being here to read it is NOT my problem… And having NO idea of what goes on in this CITY is YOUR problem, not mine…
If you think my saying BULLSHIT is profanity, not only do you have your head buried in the sand, but you have definitely landed on the WRONG blog, and THAT is NOT my problem either… Click the red X and leave…
If saying BULLSHIT makes me a libber in YOUR eyes, tote your uninformed ASS to some uber-polite, politically correct group hug and have a love in or something…
AMF… Figure that one out..
TexasFred, you cut through the BS faster and better than anyone else I know
To sealady, you asked “What are the specifics of the Mayor Harpers situation that leads to this action.
Surely you jest.
You state you are a ” Harper supporter”, but have no clue what has gone on??? Good gracious lady…where have you been?
Water has passed under this bridge, the mayor resigned.
Advice for you: If you want to “be informed”, then take the time to attend and follow the “what’s happenings” within your city.
I have the best fans, friends and readers on the ‘net…
And THAT is NO BULLSHIT!!
Sealady, a suggestion: check the TF archives for previous posts and you will have large, copious amounts of detail and very specific quotes and references.
BZ
BZ — Good GAWD Man! Are you daft? That would require work on HER part, and if she is as lazy as she is dumb, well, you know what I mean…
Not a Rowlett resident but this issue is a national one. Not so much Harper, but your commenter “Sealady”… “I’m a supporter” but don’t know what’s going on?
I must say that’s our national issue. Once we get a person in office that we vote for and support we turn a blind eye to their actions. We become complacent and figure OUR guy will do the right thing. This is WHY we have Obama in the WH now, it’s why GWB got 4 additional years and it’s a big part of the reason ALL Democrats haven’t been ran out of all Government positions.
Sealady, you must trust but verify ALL of your leaders. You failed to do so and NOW you are unaware. Learn this lesson and teach your friends.
Fred, ah been a watchin all this bullshit ya’ll was a havin with the Mayor turned turdhead. You done more to keep people in this here loop than ANY of the media did.
This here sealady must be dumb as a bag o’ wet mice. Or maybe ol’ Fred has her number, she one a them Harper supporters and came here to stir shit in Fred’s pond.
And Rob, my Brother, fer a redneck, beer swallerin knuckle dragger, you shore are smart.
Sealady, I once worked real hard to re-elect someone who I had the utmost faith in. He is now in prison on an embezzlement conviction. Guess you didn’t think that people can change between an election and governing. Fred supported hizzoner too at one time. Millions supported Obama and look how HE turned out.
Being a conservative doesn’t mean you always know how to pick the right guy.
Capiche?
GM — It is the incredible ignorance that amazes me… How in the hell can ANYONE live in a town this size, claim to be a supporter, and then be so damned CLULESS?
I still think it was a supporter looking to play in my pond, but there’s only 1 Evinrude in MY cesspool, and Bubba put a bigger carburetor and a new set of plugs on it for me!!
One last comment,,,I hope someone will bring these comments to all new prospective Mayoral Candidates for “required reading” before the date of the election.
All candidates NEED to read this.