Non-binding resolution of censure approved

Following a lengthy debate Monday night in a special meeting by the Lewisville Town Council, a non-binding resolution of censure was approved against Mack Wilder for behavior in a March 5 agenda meeting where it was alleged that he "acted inappropriately and disrupted the proceedings for a short time." As a result, the special meeting was called for as a result of a motion made and approved at the March 12 meeting directing Al Andrews, town attorney, to conduct the censure investigation — where he compiled a comprehensive report. Mayor Billy Carter emphasized that the Monday night hearing was to be focused on the actions of the March 5 meeting and not about alleged social media posts made by Wilder regarding having a community pool and fireworks. What followed was a lot of back and forth, and twists and turns on a variety of issues over nearly two hours, including Andrews reading his complete investigative report, which took more than 20 minutes. The final count, with ¾ vote in favor needed for censure, was 5-1 with council member Suzanne Newsome voting against and Wilder, who did not have counsel present, not being eligible to vote. So what's next? When asked after the meeting, Andrews stated: "The action has been taken. A non-binding motion of censure has been issued, and the matter is concluded. Nothing about this was about removal from the council. You had a motion for a non-binding censure and that motion was approved. As per the guidelines in Lewisville, that concludes the matter. There are two ways of removal in the town code. There is a procedure for removal in Lewisville. And then there is a voter mechanism of removal, a recall." Mayor Billy Carter added: "It's a process for me, I'm looking at moving forward. He has the same standing. Nothing has changed. We want to work with councilman Wilder." Carter served as the presiding officer for "one of the more serious procedures we'll ever have to deal with as a council" and said he wanted to focus on the March 5 meeting and not social media posts with council member Brady Allen stating he called this meeting for the actions at that meeting although all council members have the ability to bring up topics brought up in the investigation. That was followed by council member Fred Franklin asking the mayor "to pick up with what you were provided by our attorney and read that as it is written so that you do not get tripped up as you're going through by another council member when you stray from the script as our attorney is advising us we should follow. So if you would, please, when you circle back around, stick to it as we go forward." Carter responded by saying: "What the attorney gave us was a suggestion. I have notes, and I am going to say what I want to say council member Franklin, if that's OK." Franklin: "That's fine mayor, but you're getting us off in the ditch." Carter: "I think this is the ditch right here." He then continued with this: "The censure investigation has been conducted due to our town charter and does involve having a censure investigation as opposed to the council making that decision by themselves. And we've had an investigation by our town attorney. All who testify as witnesses including council shall give testimony under oath administered by the clerk." Franklin said he wanted to enter the attorney's entire report into the record, and Wilder stated he had some screen shots of Facebook posts to enter as evidence and notes of his own and questions that he would like to ask during the meeting. After Andrews read the report, council members were given an opportunity to testify, starting with Franklin, looking at the importance on censure based on what a person has done and what their actions have been. Allen followed with bullet points, including treating the fellow board members and the public with respect, and Gerry Gallagher agreeing with his comments. Stacy Howard said that she "had never seen anything like what happened that night and that we can be adults and be respectful." Newsome said she prefers a more personal touch instead of social media but added that Wilder "did not raise his voice or use profanity" in the meeting in question. Wilder then had his say, only calling one witness, but having interaction with council members with the council and staff on a number of different topics, including his passion for having a community pool and fireworks based on the preference among community members. "I know when I'm being railroaded," he said. "The goal was to kill this project and that's why I got upset." Wilder, who was called out by Carter for repeatedly referring to Fred Franklin as "Frank" during the meeting, said he was "bad with names," and added that all he hears is about "raising taxes," but he pointed out he wanted a bond referendum for the people to decide on issues. Related to his use of the word "Karen," he said he never used that term in reference to A.C. Hengler, and he added he has a habit of crushing Monster cans. Wilder proceeded to say that as the person being censured that he was in good company, noting that Abraham Lincoln was censured for comments made on the floor of Congress but eventually became president of the United States. Wilder did call Steve Thompson, a former council member and frequent guest to the podium, during the meeting as a witness. Wilder recalled having a spirited conversation after the retreat earlier this year and though they're very different in their views, "I've enjoyed Steve's company." For more information on the initial investigation and the call for a censure, read the previous Clemmons Courier story at https://clemmonscourier.com/2026/07/02/lewisville-schedules-censure-investigation-council-member-mack-wilder-alleged-of-acting-inappropriately-in-march-meeting-and-more/.