TEMPLE, Texas — A Leon County employee started an online petition, which gathered more than 600 signatures in two days, for the removal of County Commissioner Dean Stanford.
The person who started the petition, Nina Mendez, is an administrative assistant with Leon County. She said she is not sure if this will impact her job, but she believes Stanford shouldn’t keep his position as county commissioner.
On Oct. 9, Stanford pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury after fighting with his wife, Christie Stanford, back in March.
“I feel that anyone in this position should be someone we could look up to trust and believe in,” Mendez said.
An incident report--detailing an interview with Christie Stanford-- said Dean Stanford threw her into a wall, pushed her to the ground, choked and hit her in the head.
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Mendez said people were shocked when they heard Dean Stanford still had his position.
“I heard from several people across different parts of the county express the dismay and their disappointment that this official could remain in this position after pleading guilty,” she said.
Mendez said since Dean Stanford is an elected official, he should respect the wishes of the voters.
“I am a Leon County resident and I’m a voter, and at the end of the day our elected officials work for us,” she said.
Mendez said she worked on the petition outside of city business hours, but she still isn't sure if this will impact her position with the city. Regardless, she is moving forward with the petition and plans to present it to the commissioners court.
“When the people begin to complain and they begin to say that we don't believe this person should be in office, I think that should be respected,” she said.
According to Texas' local government code, if Leon County residents want to remove Dean Stanford a written petition has to be filed with the District Court for the area.
Mendez hopes to provide a written petition to the court either later this month--or sometime in November.