City council critic settles lawsuit over barred comments
By The Associated Press
12.15.01
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — A man barred from speaking during city council meetings has reached a settlement for $75,000 in his lawsuit against the city and mayor.
Grand Prairie Mayor Charles England barred Tommy H. Luckett, who has lived in the town 30 years, from speaking during the public comment portion of two council meetings in 1999.
Luckett had spoken at several meetings against the city's flood control plan after he reluctantly sold the city some property for the project. England said Luckett's comments were harshly critical of the council, city and city staff.
Luckett was soundly defeated when he ran for mayor against England in May 2000.
Luckett's attorney, T. Dean Malone, said Dec. 12 that his client complied with all procedures for speaking at such meetings.
"It made the city understand it cannot censor people from speaking their minds because it doesn't like their views," Malone said. "Hopefully Mr. Luckett's lawsuit will send a signal that tax-paying citizens have the same rights as public officials to express their views."
City Attorney Don Postell declined comment.
Grand Prairie is about 15 miles southwest of Dallas.