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Magnolia Mayor Faces Firing Dispute, Assault Probe

MAGNOLIA, Texas – A significant legal and political conflict is unfolding in the City of Magnolia, pitting Mayor Todd Dantzer against City Secretary Brandy R. Harris, following the Mayor’s attempt to terminate her employment last week. The dispute has quickly escalated into a lawsuit, a temporary restraining order, and allegations of political retaliation tied to an ongoing investigation into the Mayor’s conduct.

The conflict began Wednesday, June 19, when Mayor Dantzer moved to dismiss Harris from her role as City Secretary. However, Harris’s legal team swiftly responded, filing a lawsuit the following day, Thursday, June 20, in Montgomery County’s 9th District Court. Judge Marc E. Carter subsequently issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), which effectively halted Dantzer’s termination efforts and affirmed Harris’s continued employment as City Secretary. The TRO prevents further action by the Mayor regarding Harris’s employment until a full hearing can be held.

Mayor Dantzer has publicly stated that Harris’s dismissal was due to “insubordination and neglect of duty,” characterizing her as a “disruptive force” within city operations.

Conversely, Harris asserts that her attempted termination is a direct act of political retaliation. She claims she is being targeted for her role as a whistleblower, alleging she supported an investigation into Mayor Dantzer’s alleged personal use of city resources, specifically mentioning a city-owned trailer. This investigation was reportedly initiated in March 2024 by Council Members LaMonica LaSalle and Mayor Pro Tem Richard Tramm and is currently ongoing. Harris also reportedly notified the Texas Rangers about these allegations.

Adding a layer of complexity to the situation, Harris had previously submitted her resignation on May 29 but withdrew it on June 12, just days before Mayor Dantzer’s attempted termination.

Central to the legal argument for the temporary restraining order is the City of Magnolia’s charter. Section 3.06 of the charter reportedly stipulates that the City Secretary is appointed by and can only be removed by the *City Council*, not solely by the Mayor. This provision forms the foundation of Harris’s legal challenge to the Mayor’s unilateral action.

The legal and political ramifications of this dispute are expected to unfold further in the coming days. A hearing on the temporary restraining order is scheduled for Wednesday, July 3, in the 9th District Court, where both sides will present their arguments.

Even sooner, the Magnolia City Council has called a special meeting for Thursday, June 27, at 6 p.m. at Magnolia City Hall. The agenda for this critical meeting includes discussions on the findings of a special counsel’s report regarding the Mayor’s conduct, and significantly, the employment status of City Secretary Brandy R. Harris.

The situation remains fluid, with legal challenges and ongoing investigations pointing to a deeply entrenched conflict within Magnolia’s city leadership.

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