Embattled Former Mayor Speaks Out

Former Holden mayor, Doyle Weeks, shared comments with the Image relating to the nepotism acts that caused him to resign from office on June 22.

Weeks addressed the April council meeting where the nepotism acts occurred.

He explained the circumstances, saying council members were voting on the position of mayor pro tem. ”There were four votes for Councilman Jim McDaniel and four votes for Council Member Liz Weeks,” he said.

Liz Weeks is the wife of Doyle. “The mayor only votes when there is a tie,” Weeks explained. “The mayor has no other voting power.

The council said I had to break the tie. “I stated, this put me in a bad spot, but with Council Member Weeks being able to come in and sign checks easier during business hours, it made more sense (to vote for her).”

Weeks went on to say, “McDaniel has to come in after hours and that costs us overtime.

I voted for (Liz) Weeks to break the tie. “The incident was later reported by an ex-employee to the sheriff’s department.”

He went on speaking about the sequence of events, explaining the Sheriff’s Department came to city hall and requested the minutes from the April council meeting in question.

Then, Weeks was served with a letter from Johnson County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Russell.

It included part of the State of Missouri statue on nepotism.

Weeks discussed the issue and letter with City Attorney Jeremy Cover. Weeks mentioned another case of alleged nepotism committed by a previous Holden mayor, and added that nepotism happens a lot in small towns because not many people run for vacant offices.

Attorney Cover agreed with Weeks on that point. “It’s happened in this town a few times,” Weeks continued. “The only reason it was on the news (this time) was because it was reported by a council member (they told me) and it doesn’t help with the current situation with the Police Chief.”

He was referring to the criminal case of Holden’s former Police Chief Trent Neal.

Getting back to the nepotism act, Weeks said, “If I had known I was doing wrong, I wouldn’t have done it. I believe a majority of the council didn’t realize it either.

“The punishment is to forfeit your office for the remainder of your term. The state has very strict rules on this. So, I had no choice but to resign. This put Mayor Pro Tem Liz Weeks in office.”

The former mayor said he and council disagree with the State statute and the forfeiture of office, but that’s the law.

“I believe it should be a split resign between council and mayor, but I was the leader so I take all the punishment,” he said.

When asked to clarify that statement, Weeks said he believed some of the council members should have been forced to resign their positions also.

Weeks went on to share his service to the community, saying, “I have served this community for three-and-a-half years as a councilman, and I’m on my fifth year as mayor.

I have done nothing but improve our city. “I have stepped on toes but the public only gets about a fourth of what really goes on.”

Weeks added that the “good ole boy” practice that was in place when he took office didn’t work for him. “I have made enemies because I didn’t turn my head or agree with them,” he said.

“I held employees accountable and cut a ton of wasteful spending. I helped bring a new road project and replacement to our city. I improved our city park and city policies.

“I updated our police and fire departments. And I updated our street department with equipment, personnel, and so much more.”

He addressed his critics, saying, “For people to say I have bent the rules or done illegal things is crazy. We report everything to the State, from legal action to financial audits. “Every city has the same issues as we do, but it gets old watching the same people complain and tear each other apart. If you don’t like it, leave, or get involved.”

He talked about citizens and even councilmen, who don’t want the best for our town, in his opinion. “You want to know the truth, ask me. I have nothing to hide. Never have. I can speak freely now about almost anything. This is my two cents.”

Doyle Weeks will be eligible to run for mayor again in the April 2022 election and he is already working with a campaign manager.