Rockwall Voices Op-Ed
At the May 4, 2026, Fate City Council meeting, the City of Fate and the Fate City Council took action following recall petition certifications, formal censure actions, and forthcoming ethics investigations concerning several elected officials.
The City Secretary certified recall petitions for Mayor Andrew Greenberg, Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Hatley, Councilman Rick Maneval, and Councilwoman Martha Huffman. Certification of the petitions confirms that the required number of valid signatures has been verified, allowing the recall process to proceed in accordance with the City Charter and Texas state law.
Public hearings related to the recall election must be held by June 3, 2026, and the City Council is required to call a special election by June 22, 2026, for placement on the November ballot.
The Fate City Council also adopted two separate resolutions of censure against Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Hatley based on recommendations from outside counsel retained by the City of Fate. According to the resolutions, the Council determined that the conduct reviewed by outside counsel violated the expectations and standards outlined in the Fate City Charter and the City’s Ethics Ordinance for elected officials. While a censure resolution does not remove an elected official from office, it serves as a formal public reprimand and reflects the Council’s official disapproval of the conduct described in the resolutions.
In addition, ethics complaints filed against Mayor Andrew Greenberg were determined by outside counsel retained by the City to contain sufficient credible evidence to warrant a formal investigation. The complaints involve allegations that will now move through the City’s established review process to ensure due process and an impartial evaluation of the facts.
Citizens can stay informed through official City communication channels as additional information becomes available.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of The Rockwall Times. We encourage a respectful exchange of perspectives to enrich our community dialogue.
