GAWTP Calls for Resignation of Judge Joel Baker Following Allegations

TYLER – Grassroots America We the People, is calling for the resignation of County Judge Joel Baker. This following allegations of offensive behavior were raised. According to KETK, Executive Director JoAnn Fleming released the following statement Monday evening: “After viewing the news report and looking into the credentials of the forensic investigator, the Board of Directors of Grassroots America calls on Joel Baker to immediately resign the office of Smith County Judge. Abusing his elective office in such a vulgar manner breaks his oath of office, severs the public trust, and makes a mockery of his role of county judge, probate judge, and overseer of mental health commitments.”

“This unseemly abuse of taxpayer time and resources removes any vestige of respect. Joel Baker needs to stop taking paychecks from the State of Texas and Smith County and find another line of work.

Because Judge Baker and the Commissioners Court remain under investigation by the Office of Texas Attorney General and the FBI, Grassroots America believes Smith County needs a credible, responsible, respected leader from outside county government to serve as interim county judge. Over the past several months, we’ve heard from numerous sources that members of the Commissioners Court plan to have Precinct One Commissioner Jeff Warr vacate his seat to serve out Baker’s term as county judge, should Baker be forced to resign. The Commissioners Court would then be in a position to appoint an interim county commissioner to serve until a special election could be called for Precinct One Commissioner. If this is true, we could not disagree more.

Any conversation about planning to fill a vacancy on the Court should take place in public. In fact, the Texas Open Meetings Act prohibits commissioners from discussing such important matters outside a public meeting; therefore, Grassroots America strongly recommends the Commissioners Court solicit applications and resumes from Smith County citizens who are interested in serving as interim county judge. The Commissioners Court should review those applications and resumes and interview the applicants in a public meeting. No member of the Grassroots America Board of Directors plans to apply for the position or run for the office.”

Smith County Judge Joel Baker has resigned from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Baker, who was Vice Chairman of the commission, was appointed to the panel in July, 2006. His term was scheduled to expire in November of next year. In a letter to the commission, Judge Baker said he was stepping down for personal and family reason. He added, if it was helpful, he would continue to serve on the commission until the the state Supreme Court names his successor. According to an email from the county, Baker would have no further comment on his decision.

A second letter Baker sent to the executive director of the commission had further details. In that letter he says, “Over the past year, I have been dealing with the loss of my father, great professional obstacles, and deeply personal emotions. I have suffered a great amount of stress, anxiety, depression, and grief. These issues have affected me, and my reaction to all of the external pressure has almost caused the destruction of my family.

Also weighing on Baker was a case against a former opponent in a 2014 election. John Furlow was accused of stealing Baker’s campaign signs. Baker said in the second letter, “The Furlow matter only served to exacerbate those problems. During Mr. Furlow’s first trial, I felt as if I was on trial.” He said he had received anonymous phone calls and what he called “veiled threats” over the matter. He said he wanted closure for him and his family. Those charges against Furlow were recently dropped.

Late last year it was learned the Smith County Commissioner’s Court was being investigated by the FBI and the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The probe centers around an alleged illegal executive session meeting on August 12, 2014, in which the commissioners agreed to purchase traffic cameras. The unmanned speed cameras were suppose to be used in school zones.