Haltom City mayor, council say they support city manager

The Haltom City mayor and several council members say they support city manager Keith Lane.

Mayor David Averitt had placed discussion of Lane’s status on Monday’s meeting agenda after a Star-Telegram report about an incident on Sept. 11, when Lane called police to have members of United Fort Worth escorted from City Hall because he felt the group was causing a disturbance.

Lane read from a statement: “It is my job and responsibility as city manager to ensure it is an environment free of provocation, intimidation, protest and disturbance. I owe that to all my employees that work here and all the customers we deal with.”

He also criticized the Star-Telegram’s coverage and editorial about the disturbance.

Averitt told the city manager that he has the mayor’s confidence and support.

“I want to thank you for everything you have done for our community,” he said.

Councilwoman Linda Thompson said, “Above all, I know Keith is the one I can look at and say he has the integrity, the ability to know right from wrong.”

This story was originally published October 10, 2018 at 5:05 PM.