Discussion over conflict-of-interest resolution takes a testy turn at Hopewell council

HOPEWELL – If Tuesday night’s City Council meeting had been billed as a pay-per-view sporting event, then the tension around the last order of business on the agenda would have been its main event.

Amid accusations of playing politics, personal gain and overall stonewalling, councilors argued – at times vehemently – over the timing of a proposed city ordinance that mirrors Virginia code on city employees running for City Council seats and subsequently councilors’ opportunity to apply for city government positions. Even though the state code provides guardrails for how this should be handled, Hopewell’s own code has been silent about it. And it was that silence that provided the backdrop for the theater that enveloped discussion about the issue.

In the end, however, council tied 3-3 on the resolution drafted by City Attorney Danielle Smith. Because of the tie, it failed to pass.

At the center of the councilmanic melee were Ward 5 Councilor Janice Denton and Vice Mayor Jasmine Gore, who presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Johnny Partin Jr. It featured several verbal spars between the two lawmakers, including Denton sarcastically responding to a failed vote that would have sped up the discussion, and Gore telling Denton, “Don’t be smart with me!” and accusing Denton of trying to recruit city employees to run for council.

The issue debated

Virginia Code Section 2.2-3707, which is part of the state’s Freedom of Information Act, reads as follows: “No person elected or appointed as a member of the governing body of a county, city or town shall have a personal interest in (i) any contract with his governing body, or (ii) any contract with any governmental agency that is a component part of his local government and which is subject to the ultimate control of the governing body of which he is a member, or (iii) any contract other than a contract of employment with any other governmental agency if such person's governing body appoints a majority of the members of the governing body of the second governmental agency.”

The fact that Hopewell has never had that language codified into its own rules has been a politically sore point in the city for years. Noting that delay, aid she drafted the resolution based on not only the state code but also language from neighboring jurisdictions that have adopted similar policies.

“A City Council member may not apply or be hired to the position as long as they are a member of City Council,” the proposal read. “Absent an ordinance to the contrary, the City Council member may resign and apply one year after their date of resignation despite appearance of impropriety considerations.”

The issue came up as recently as two years ago when Partin – who was not at Tuesday’s meeting – applied for the position of Hopewell’s director of public works. He was on council at the time but had not been named mayor. However, according to Gore, Partin was a finalist for the position “and was very close to being hired” before it was noted as a state code violation.

Gore and councilors Brenda Pelham of Ward 6 and Dominic Holloway of Ward 7 contended that an ordinance spelling out that violation was necessary.

“By day, you’ll see your city manager be your boss. By night, you’ll be the city manager’s boss,” Gore said. “But throughout the day, you’re gonna use your power and influence to be able to dictate your decision.”

Holloway added, “They would be the city manager’s boss and work for the city manager. That is definitely a conflict of interest.”

On the other hand, Denton kept questioning the timing of the resolution coming during an election year when three council seats are on the November ballot. She said she knew of several instances where people, including city employees, have begun the process of filling out candidacy applications and seeking the required 125 signatures on petitions. To draft something Tuesday night, she claimed, would disqualify them.

“This should have been done on an off year,” Denton said. With that, she suggested tabling the resolution until after the November election – a statement that drew a smattering of applause from the audience.

A 3-3 vote killed that idea. Denton and councilors Rita Joyner of Ward 1 and Michael Harris of Ward 2 supported it. Gore, Pelham and Holloway dissented.

That was the first of a few tie votes taken during the discussion. It also was the match that lit the fuse for the actions that followed.

'Who do you think you are?'

As Denton was making her points, Holloway interjected a “call for the vote,” a parliamentary procedure that ceases any active discussion and goes straight to the roll call. Denton was not prepared to yield the floor, telling Gore, “I’m talking!” when the vice mayor tried to cut her off.

After that vote, Gore gave Denton the opportunity to continue her comments, but Denton refused, saying, “Y’all have already voted on it.” When Gore told Denton that vote was the final one, Denton took on a bit of sarcasm.

“Oh, thank you!” she exclaimed demonstratively to Gore. “I feel refurbished!”

Gore did not like Denton’s tone.

“There was a motion for call for the vote procedure,” Gore shot back. “There’s no need to get smart with me.”

It kept going from there.

As Holloway tried to speak, Denton interrupted. That prompted a member of the audience to shout, “You’re scared!”

Pelham was heard on her mic replying to the citizen, “Oh, shut up.” Holloway took the comment, he said, as an implied threat.

“This is not my year to be elected, so it has nothing to do with being scared,” he said. “It all has to do with not making sense.” [Whichever city employee] is elected is going to be the city manager’s boss, and as my daughter would say, Period. Pooh.”

Tensions continued to build from there and may have hit their highest when Gore stated her opinion of the resolution. The vice mayor said people “were zoning in on one portion” of the resolution and not understanding that the city was in violation of state code by not having its own policy in writing.

“If you’re doing the right thing for the city, there’s no reason for someone to be this upset over what is a clear conflict of interest,” Gore said, citing Denton. “Unless you’re either recruiting staff to run or you have another personal financial interest we’re trying to avoid here.”

At one point, Denton got up during Gore’s remarks and walked to the end of the dais. Gore did not let that go unnoticed.

“We are violating the rules of the quorum,” Gore said. “The outbursts, the walking over to staff ... all of this is unnecessary. If you don’t want to support it, don’t support it.”

“I’m sorry,” Denton retorted. “Who do you think you are?”

“Jasmine E. Gore. So go ahead with the roll call,” Gore replied.

The final vote on the resolution was Gore, Pelham and Holloway in favor; and Denton, Joyner and Harris against it.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Angry words fly among Hopewell councilors on conflict-of-interest law