SHOREACRES, Texas – A packed Shoreacres City Council meeting provided plenty of tense moments on Monday.
The biggest issues at hand was Mayor Kim Sanford's recent firing of three city employees, including a former police sergeant, the police chief and the public works director.
After more than two hours of back-and-forth debating and a unanimous vote, both members of law enforcement were reinstated.
The public works director will also be re-hired.
"It turned out exactly how I thought it would turn out. It's easy to fire a police officer, but it's hard to justify it sometimes. And there was no justification for the sergeant nor I. Either one," Chief Troy Harrison said.
"We're very pleased with that decision. We think it was the right decision. I think it shows this had been a personal vendetta ever since the beginning on the part of Mayor Sanford," Sgt. Wayne Thompson said.
The mayor didn't have much to say.
"Can I just say not comment? No, comment. Y'all have a great day," Sanford said.
Residents are hopeful that despite the recent small town politics that have led to a divided city, Shoreacres can move forward following Monday night's council meeting.
"I'm really happy with these results, really proud these officers got these jobs back. Well-deserved. This city needs these people and they do an awesome job for us," resident Roland Ramirez said.