Hawkins Mayor Tells His Side of the Story

HAWKINS � The Hawkins mayor says everything said about him in an arrest affidavit is not true, except for the fact that he was at the residence where the alleged violation took place. Will Rogers is accused of overstepping his duties as mayor and threatening to fine a resident $500 if she didn�t cut her grass. Rogers tells KETK he never threatened to write the woman a ticket or impose a fine about her grass. He says he wanted to talk to her about her concession stand. Rogers claims it�s a nuisance and people were complaining. That stand could have also cost the woman $500 a day.

Rogers says he never said he would issue anyone a ticket because that�s not his job. According to the mayor, his job is to make sure ordinances are followed. Rogers said, �I wasn�t there to write any tickets. I�m not able to do that as the mayor.� He claims his goal was to try to fix a problem. Rogers says he�s surprised he was accused of official oppression. He says once he got the phone call that he was going to be arrested, he turned himself in to the Wood County Jail. Rogers also arranged a discussion Wednesday evening at his coffee shop for people to come and ask him questions. Some residents who turned out voiced their support, saying Rogers has done a lot of good for the community and that they stand behind him.
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