Hawkins council hires law firm for officer termination appeal

HAWKINS – Friday night, the Hawkins City Council met in a special session, with the agenda only holding one item to discuss and vote on hiring the law firm ‘Flowers Davis’ in Tyler to represent the city in a termination appeal.

According to a report from our news partner KETK, former Hawkins officer, Eric Tuma, was removed from his position by the city council earlier this month. A highly debated move and amid ongoing department drama. Mayor Debbie Rushing said the special session decision will be helpful and could lead to hiring a city attorney.

“Having that mediator will be nice,” Rushing said.

According to former councilwoman, Eleta Taylor, the council has tried to get legal representation for the city several times.

“We did try when I was on the council several times to get one, and it didn’t go right,” Taylor said. “…Three, at least three or four times, I’m thinking we tried to get it.”

During the meeting, some residents said using this specific firm could be a conflict of interest, but Mayor Debbie Rushing said it would not.

“We have someone that has filed a petition to remove me as mayor, and this same attorney is working on that case. In no way, shape, or form is him working on that petition, going to have any weight in the appeal process for a city employee who is, you know, has been fired,” Rushing said.

The Flowers Davis law firm was ultimately hired. Mayor Debbie Rushing said she’s ready to move forward with the appeal process.