A more complete list of articles can be found from these two independent reports from the Houston Chronicle and Fort Worth Star-Telegram give an overview on the subject. This April 1997 columnby Dave Lieber gives some more background to the brewing of events described in the above articles.
Key dates and summary of events in the turmoil:
March 1997
Saying that it is an attempt to influence the upcoming Town election, Mayor Scott Bradley vetoes attempts by the Board of Aldermen to disannex the Stagecoach Hills Airpark subdivision.
Mayor Bradley and the Board of Aldermen battle over Ross Perot Jr's plans for the Circle T Ranch.
April 14, 1997
Four Westlake Aldermen declare that they will put Mayor Bradley on trial and seek to remove him from office.
Aldermen Huntress, Dudley, Oien, and Moore move to "take all action necessary" to oust Mayor Bradley despite protests anda petition from the citizens of Westlake, and an order by Tarrant County District Judge Bob McGrath barring the Board from acting to remove Bradley.
Bradley appeals to the Texas Supreme Court, but the Court does not act to intervene.
April 29, 1997
The Board of Aldermen conducts a "trial" and removes Mayor Bradley from office. The 2nd Court of Appeals declines to set aside the ruling. The Aldermen then schedule a special meeting to vote on disannexations.
The Board of Aldermen appoint former Mayor Dale White as Mayor to fill the vacancy created by removing Mayor Scott Bradley. An hour later the Board votes to disannex the Circle T ranch and other properties, including the property of appointed Mayor Dale White and several Aldermen.
Regular municipal elections are held in Westlake sweeping in candidates who oppose the disannexations made the day before. The Fort Worth City Council calls an emergency Saturdaymorning meeting to place the Circle T ranch and other disannexed properties (including theland belonging to some of the Westlake Aldermen) into FortWorth's jurisdiction.
May 5, 1997
Bradley argues in court that his ouster violated his constitutional right to due process. He presides at a meeting of the newly elected Aldermen and vetoes the disannexations.
The former Aldermen post notice that they plan to disannex the Solana office complex, which generates 99 percentof the Town's revenue. Details of the Solana posting
May 6, 1997
Locks are changed at the Town Hall, notice is posted that the Town Hallis closed until further notice, and the Town secretary can not get in to perform her duties.
Alderman Carroll Huntress requests an $85,000.00 transfer of funds from the Town's investment account and uses the money to write 83 checks for $1000.00 each to pay attorneys involved in dismantling the Town. This was done to circumvent a stipulation on the Town's bank account stating that any check over $1000.00 must have two signatures.
Bradley calls an emergency meeting to again swear in the three Aldermen who were elected May 3rd.
The 2nd Court of Appeals strikes down Judge McGrath's order that would have allowed Bradley to remain in officewhile he appealed.
The Texas comptroller's office freezes about $2.4 million of Westlake funds due to uncertainty about who is in charge of Westlake.
At a special 9 p.m. meeting, the lame-duck Aldermen vote to disannex Solana while almost simultaneously, the City of Southlake votes to put Solana in its jurisdiction and to begin annexation proceedings.
The former Board of Aldermen votes to ratify their previous actions disannexing the Circle T ranch and other properties, including many of their own.
The former Board of Aldermen then seats the newly elected Board of Aldermen.
The new Board assumes office, and immediately votes to repeal each disannexation. The newBoard also issues an order vacating Bradley's removal and granting Mayor Bradley a new trial.
Upon receiving a letter from appointed Mayor White questioning the Mayor situation, the Keller State Bank freezes the Westlake deposits forcing the Town to file for bankruptcy protection.
June 12, 1997
A Federal Bankruptcy Judge grants an emergency motion allowing the elected Town officials to access the Town's funds allowing the Town to pay its bills.
The Westlake Board of Aldermen vote to allow Bradley to continue as Mayor until the Texas Supreme Court decides whether to uphold the Appeals Court decision.
February 13, 1998
Tarrant County District Judge Fred Davis states the May 2nd attempt to disannex 70 percent of the Town is void, as well as the May 9th attempt by the lame-duck Board of Aldermen to ratify the May 2nd disannexations.
Developer Ross Perot Jr. cuts a $22 million deal with the Fort Worth City Council settling Fort Worth's land dispute with Westlake over the Circle-T and securing a 314-acre Fidelity Investments campus for Westlake.
This American Life, a public radio show from WBEZ in Chicago, has delved into Westlake /history.The show which aired July 1st revisited the tale of small-town politics, a real estate baron and a series of events three years ago that captured national media attention. Hint: The show contains two stories, Westlake being the second story covered. Use your audio controls to seek to about 11 minutes and 52 seconds into the show to begin listening to the Westlake saga.
June 2001
State District Judge Fred Davis rules in favor of Westlake in a four-year border dispute between Roanoke and Westlake over 300 acres.
