Secret Recordings Rock Fate: City Manager Admits Council Pressure as Anonymous Letter Triggers Police Chief Firing
Fate, Texas — What began as a personnel shake-up has turned into a full-blown legal and political crisis for the city of Fate. Secret audio recordings, obtained by Pipkins Reports, reveal that Councilman Mark Harper, allegedly threatened Fate City Manager Michael Kovacs with termination if Kovacs did not agree to fire DPS Chief Lyle Lombard.
The implication, as understood by Kovacs in the recording, is that he (Harper) had a coalition, to include other Councilmen, to join forces against the City Manager, and threaten to remove him if he does not comply with their demands. A secret recording, obtained by Pipkins Reports from a witness, is of Michael Kovacs, where he alleges that Harper was among those who had threatened him.
This bombshell revelation threatens not just reputations but the city’s legal standing with regard to the termination of Chief Lombard. The combination of several audio recordings, where Kovacs himself admits he was pressured by “some” City Councilmen to take a harder position with the chief, or risk his own termination, indicates that his decision to terminate the chief may have been based on factors that are more political, than performance.
Previously on Pipkins Reports we had reported, “According to sources with direct knowledge of the situation, Councilman Chinn pressured City Manager Michael Kovacs to fire Lombard, allegedly threatening his own position if he refused. These sources say the push came suddenly and forcefully.”
In response to our inquiry, Chinn shared with Pipkins Reports a screenshot of her private conversation with Michael Kovacs, where she expressed her outrage over our previous story.
As additional evidence has become available, after reviewing the audio recordings, and evidence presented by Chinn, which is in contradiction with witness testimony previously provided to Pipkins Reports, we find there is no physical evidence that Chinn directly threatened to fire Kovacs. Our apologies to Mrs. Chinn for overstating her involvement in our previous article.
The new audio recordings, along with text messages and documents received via an Open Records Request (ORR), show only that Kovacs stated he was being threatened directly by Harper, and “some” other councilmen … however, who those councilmen are remains unclear, as all persons have denied the allegations and Kovacs refuses to qualify to whom he was referring.
Alleged Threats Captured in Recording
According to audio recordings, Kovacs states that “Council Members” threatened to have him terminated if he didn’t comply with their demands. For this publication, Pipkins Reports is publishing transcripts now and will release the full audio once legally cleared. At this time, we are also redacting the names of witnesses. Once the audio is released, the persons will be easily identified, and we will discuss sources freely.
Audio Transcript 11/12/2025:
Witness #1 – Directed towards Kovacs: “Can I, Can I ask a bold question? Are they threatening to fire you?“
Michael Kovacs: “Some of them, yeah.“
In this conversation, the “some / they” that Michael Kovacs was referring to is allegedly Councilmen Mark Harper, Codi Chinn, and Scott Kelley. However, Pipkins Reports cannot confirm any of them.
In a follow-up recording, Kovacs confirms and directly specifies Councilman Mark Harper.
Audio Transcript 11/12/2025:
Witness #1: “…when we were talking with Leigh, you mentioned that Councilmen had threatened to fire you and pull you into executive session. Was it just Mark Harper? Or, was it Codi? Was it Scott Kelley? [redacted] Was it …”
Michael Kovacs: “No, no. It was just Mark”.
Witness #1: “Just Mark?”
Michael Kovacs: “Yeah.”
Witness #1: “You mentioned Council Members … ”
Michael Kovacs: “People sometimes say, you know, hey, I’ve got, you know, X many people, or whatever. But um … it’s common. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don’t.”
The answer from Kovacs reveals that he has received veiled threats from others, but a direct threat from Councilman Harper.
Obviously, Kovacs was unaware that he was being recorded. The recording comes from a person who was part of the conversation. Texas is a “one-party consent” state, which means that anyone who is part of a conversation may legally record that conversation. However, this witness was not the only one recording conversations; Pipkins Reports has multiple recordings by multiple witnesses with multiple people. Some of these recordings have been submitted to the City of Fate as part of an Open Records Request, as required by law. These audio recordings will be released after the city has conducted its review.
The Anonymous Complaint
Some witnesses allege that the scathing anonymous letter may have been written by a member, or ally, of the council, in order to justify Lombard’s termination. Pipkins Reports has not identified the author, and no public evidence has been produced establishing authorship. However, the content of the letter, which contains private information used in the chief’s employee review, lends some credibility to this claim.
Regardless of source, it appears that the anonymous letter may have been the undeclared, yet deciding factor to turn a normal employee review, with suggestions for improvement, into justification for termination. If so, when combined with the alleged coercion, it brings serious legal issues into play.
Under Texas Government Code §614.022 and § 614.023, any complaint against a law‑enforcement officer (ie: Chief Lombard) must be “in writing” and signed by the person making the complaint. (Texas City Attorneys Association.) The officer must be given a copy of the signed complaint, and no indefinite suspension or termination may occur unless the complaint is investigated and evidence confirms the allegations.
In this case, not only are there no signatories to the complaint, or to any complaint for that matter, but there is no evidence that any serious investigation into the complaint took place.
Officially, the chief was fired due to his handling of two main issues outlined in his performance review. We will discuss this in great detail in a future article. For now, let’s discuss how the timing suggests that the anonymous letter played a more direct role than we are led to believe.
The Timeline
September 30, 2025 – Chief Lyle Lombard completes his portion (self-assessment) of his semi-annual performance review.
October 30, 2025 – City Manager Michael Kovacs and Lombard meet to discuss the review. Kovacs rates the chief in several areas as, “Needs Improvement”. This is the first time in 7 years with the City of Fate that the chief has received a rating that is less than satisfactory.
Ratings include: Outstanding; Highly Successful; Successful; Needs Improvement; Unsuccessful.
At no point did Chief Lombard receive an “unsuccessful” rating.
November 10, 2025 – By this date, Councilman Harper, Chinn & Kovacs have had conversations and already know that Chief Lombard will be put in executive session. Based on subsequent recordings and texts.
November 11, 2025 – Codi Chinn & Scott Kelly discuss via text that Codi needs a 2nd councilman to put the chief into Executive Session. Kelly agrees to 2nd the motion. Kelley maintains his decision to second the motion was based on other performance issues. However, the timeline shows the motion occurred before Kovacs finalized the performance review and before any documented investigation.
City of Fate then posts the agenda for the upcoming City Council Meeting to occur on November 17th. Listed on that agenda is the Executive Session to review Chief Lombard.
As of this date, Kovacs had not yet signed or issued his half of Lombard’s latest, semi-annual performance review from October 30th.
November 12, Wednesday. Kovacs finally signs the performance review (now 2 months old). The review, gives every indication that the City will still continue to support the chief.
Also on November 12th , our Witness #1, meets with Michael Kovacs & Fate H.R. Director Leigh Corson. The witness records the conversation … and Corson emphatically states that they are not considering terminating the chief.
Audio Transcript
Witness #1: “So y’all are seriously considering terminating the chief?”
Leigh Corson: “No. were not considering termination, but we don’t know what’s happening Monday night.” Corson was referring to the upcoming executive session.
However, this statement conflicts with a separate recording made three days later by Witness #2, this time with Codi Chinn. In this recording, Chinn reveals that she had talked with Kovacs, [three days prior] and that a plan is already in place to terminate the chief, saying, “it’s happening”, in reference to the firing of Chief Lombard.
Later, in our interview with Chinn, she contradicts herself and stated that she had no knowledge of the chief being terminated until they got the official notice in writing.
Audio Transcript
Codi Chinn: “…it’s unfortunate because it didn’t have to be that way, but I think if he wasn’t so involved politically, right, like, if he was just a bad a bad chief, right, we probably could, I don’t know, we could rationalize it for maybe three years and deal with it. But it’s all the other bullshit that goes along with it. You can’t do the things that you’re doing on an operational level that suck. And then have a bad attitude and a bad wife on top of it. “
November 13, 2025 – Email between Kovacs and Chinn. Kovacs asks her if she will feel comfortable speaking during the Executive Session on Monday. She responds that she will, along with Harper and Kelley.
November 14, 2025 – Consistent with statements later captured on audio, the chief is verbally placed on administrative leave … in spite of the assurance of Kovacs and H.R., Director Corson to Witness #1, and in spite the fact that his performance review did not rise to the level of termination, based on Kovacs’ own words.
November 15, 2025 – Saturday. – Codi Chinn sends Kovacs the “anonymous” letter via text. Kovacs expresses zero concern or shock … as if he were already expecting to receive it. He notifies the City Council of “new information” that they just received. The letter is dated November 11th, the same date that the agenda for the meeting is posted to the public. The letter is addressed to “Honorable Mayor and Members of the Fate City Council”, but was allegedly hand-delivered ONLY to Councilman Codi Chinn … who claims she scanned it, and forwarded it to Kovacs.
Councilman Scott Kelley has stated he was unaware of the anonymous letter until it was provided to him by Kovacs and denies any prior involvement.
How long Chinn had the letter in her possession, and when she first discussed it with Kovacs, is still uncertain.
In an interview with Pipkins Reports, Lombard stated that after he was put on suspension, he was advised by Michael Kovacs that he didn’t need to attend the Council Meeting on Monday, November 17th . Not satisfied with that advice, Lombard decided to attend the meeting anyway … and was subsequently invited into the Executive Session. A move that is unusual, but not unprecedented.
While nobody attending the meeting is speaking directly to Pipkins Reports about what took place, or the direct conversations that occurred while in Executive Session, it was clear (to the chief) which Council Members were against him. Three stood out: Chinn, Harper & Kelley.
All three of these Council Members have very public and personal objections to chief Lombard, or his wife. It’s the type of petty social media bickering that is not worthy of inclusion in an article that has such serious ramifications as this.
The important takeaway is that up until the receipt of the “anonymous” letter, and subsequent pressure from certain council members, the evidence shows that there was every intention by Kovacs & Corson to work out those minor performance issues with the chief. That means that the anonymous letter, and the pressure from three council members, was the impetus for dismissal… not the reasons outlined in his performance review.
November 17th 2025 – Council Meets in Executive Session.
11:04 pm – After the Executive Session, Chinn sends a text to Kovacs stating, “I know that sucked but you did good tonight. If the officers/firemen who reached out can go through the Texas Municipal Police Association with their statements about morale would that be helpful? They are offering to do that so ppl can trust that they are actual currently employed by Fate DPS.”
November 19th 2025 – Chief Lombard returns his reply to the complaint levied against him by Kovacs. At this time, he has no idea the level of machinations that have been leveled against him. The decision has already been made.
November 21st 2025 – Chief Lombard is officially terminated. The reasons given are those outlined in his performance review and Kovacs’ “complaint”, and there is zero mention of the “important information” of the anonymous letter presented to the Council. Kovacs likely knows that to include it would guarantee a wrongful termination lawsuit in the chief’s favor.
The Performance Reviews
Pipkins Reports obtained Chief Lombard’s performance reports dating back to 2020. We will note that there were no reports in 2024 due to changes in procedures and software used by the city. However, there were 2 reports in 2025. One in March, one in October.
To spare our readers from a post that is already too long, we will save the full discussion of those performance reviews for another article. However, for the sake of this post, suffice it to say that until October of 2025, Chief Lombard’s record was exemplary. He never had a single bad mark in his record. In every case, comments made by Michael Kovacs himself, were regarded as, “Successful, Highly Successful, and Outstanding”. Including the report for March.
The last report, the one claimed as a basis for termination, was mixed with similar assessments except for a few categories, where Kovacs rated the chief as, “Needs Improvement”. In fact, at the end of the review Kovacs emphatically states, “Lyle is someone I enjoy working with and I want the very best for him and his unit in the coming year.” Indicating that in his current state of mind, Kovacs has no intention of firing the chief. This is further corroborated by statements made to Witness #1 days later.
Only two things changed after that time … the anonymous letter, and pressure from certain council members.
Legal Exposure: Why Fate Could Be Sued
Because of the combination of (1) coercive threats admitted by Kovacs on audio, (2) reliance on an anonymous complaint lacking a signed allegation or investigation, and (3) statutory procedural protections for law-enforcement officers, Fate faces multiple legal problems:
- A wrongful‑termination lawsuit under state and possibly federal law. Wrongful discharge claims typically succeed when an adverse action is based on unverified or pretextual reasons, especially for public‑safety employees. (Littler Mendelson P.C.)
- Procedural‑due‑process claims, for failure to provide a signed complaint, opportunity to respond, and proper investigation before termination, in violation of Texas Government Code § 614.023. (Texas City Attorneys Association)
- Potential civil‑rights or whistleblower retaliation claims, if further evidence shows political motives rather than legitimate misconduct prompted the termination. (DOL)
- Fiscal exposure — such a case could result in substantial judgment or settlement paid from city funds, imposing a direct cost on taxpayers.
In short: a court or jury could well find the termination improper, perhaps even punitive or retaliatory in nature. In addition, Council Members who may have violated the City Charter by coercing the City Manager could risk exposure and be subject to personal civil action as well as sanction by the State. Who knows what the outcome could be? But the actions of Kovacs, and the Fate City Council, could end up costing the taxpayers millions of dollars in legal services and settlements.
Why This Matters to the People of Fate
At stake isn’t just the future of Chief Lombard, or even the loss of taxpayer money to defend a potential lawsuit, but also at stake is the rule of law in municipal governance. Terminations based on anonymous hearsay and political threats destabilize local government, erode trust in public safety, and politicize law enforcement. This is a particularly dangerous path in a small but growing community such as Fate.
Residents deserve a government that doesn’t conspire to dismantle law enforcement. They deserve transparency and accountability. If City Managers are allowed to fire department heads based on political pressure, without signed complaints, fair investigations, or due process, the city risks institutional breakdown, not just legal liability.
Moreover, if some elected officials participate in micro-managing city personnel due to political or personal objections, it threatens Fate’s long-term governance culture, potentially deterring qualified public‑safety professionals from serving or even chilling whistleblowers who see administrative retaliation as the default consequence. True whistleblowers have safe and legal pathways to present grievances.
Responses
We reached out to Kovacs, Harper, Chinn, and Kelley for comments regarding this situation and the allegations levied against them by Kovacs. We received the following responses:
Michael Kovacs: No response received
Mark Harper: In response to all our questions, his response was, “No comment.”
Codi Chinn: In a response to Pipkins Reports, Councilwoman Codi Chinn denied ever threatening City Manager Michael Kovacs or participating in any effort to coerce him into terminating Chief Lyle Lombard.
Chinn stated that prior to recent events, she had consistently defended Chief Lombard and told Kovacs that she would vote against his termination if such a proposal were brought forward. According to Chinn, her position only changed after she began receiving complaints from officers within the Fate Department of Public Safety.
She said those complaints centered on officers allegedly being promised pay raises that did not materialize, dissatisfaction with departmental morale, and concerns related to the division of the Department of Public Safety into separate fire and police operations. Chinn asserted that these issues caused her to reassess her position reluctantly.
Chinn further stated that she believes Chief Lombard is more competent as a fire chief than as a police chief and that her support for his removal from the police role was based on those professional concerns rather than any political pressure or coordinated action.
She denied having any advance knowledge that Chief Lombard would be terminated prior to the executive session and stated that she did not know the chief was going to be fired before the Council formally considered the matter. This is in direct contradiction of an audio recording held by Pipkins Reports where she states that on Wednesday, November 12th, she had talked with Kovacs and was certain that the plans were already underway to fire the chief.
Audio Transcript
Codi Chinn: “… So when I talk to Michael on Wednesday [11/12/2025], he was like, no, it’s happening … And that was when he [Kovacs] told me that. And he was like, “So we are moving forward with it, you know, and after I’m gonna, you know, lay it all out for all the council, all the disciplinary things, and everything that’s been going on, and then, you know, so y’all want to say something you can, and he said, you know, after I hear y’all’s feedback, then I’ll have a decision to make“.
Scott Kelley: In a response to Pipkins Reports, Councilman Scott Kelley denied any involvement in threatening City Manager Michael Kovacs or participating in any effort to remove him.
Kelley stated that he has no knowledge of Michael Kovacs ever being threatened by any council member and asserted that he personally did not threaten Kovacs at any time. He further denied being part of any group or coalition whose intent was to pressure or remove the City Manager over the termination of Chief Lyle Lombard.
According to Kelley, he had no prior knowledge of Chief Lombard’s performance evaluation before the matter was taken up in executive session and was not briefed on the contents of that review beforehand.
Kelley also stated that he was unaware of the existence of the anonymous letter until it was provided to him by Michael Kovacs and denied having any role in its creation, circulation, or consideration prior to that point.
Regarding his decision to second Councilwoman Codi Chinn’s motion to place the matter in executive session, Kelley said his action was based on other performance concerns related to the chief, not on any threats, pressure, or coordination aimed at forcing termination.
What Comes Next?
In the next report, we will cover the details of Chief Lombard’s Performance Reports, the actual termination letter, and the rebuttal.
Stay tuned to Pipkins Reports.
Councilman Mark Harper walks out of meeting before adjournment.
FATE, TX – The Fate City Council voted late Monday night to waive deliberative privilege, opening the door to the public release of secret audio recordings that may have driven a recall election against Councilwoman Codi Chinn. The decision came after hours of public criticism, procedural friction, and a lengthy executive session with legal counsel.
The meeting, held Monday, February 2, was streamed live by the city and is available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/live/zQVN0i-d8C0 (Embedded Below)
(Source: City of Fate, official meeting broadcast)
Timeline for Readers
- 00:33:52 – Public comments begin, largely focused on the recall election of Councilwoman Codi Chinn.
- 00:56:10 – Councilman Harper interrupts public Comment.
- 00:57:00 – Councilman Harper interrupts public Comment.
- 00:58:00 – Councilman Harper interrupts public Comment.
- 02:21:00 – Executive Session – Council enters closed session to consult with legal counsel.
- 03:22:52 – Council reconvenes in open session.
- Primary motion – Council votes to “waive deliberative privilege”, allowing release of disputed audio recordings.
Public Comment and Visible Strain
Public comments began just after the 33 minute mark and quickly centered on the recall election. Speaker after speaker questioned the conduct of city officials and demanded transparency regarding audio recordings that have circulated privately but remained unavailable to the public.
During one speaker’s remarks, critical of Councilwoman Chinn, procedural tension became visible. Three separate times, Councilman Mark Harper interrupted to remind Mayor Andrew Greenberg that the speaker had exceeded the three-minute time limit. Each time, Mayor Greenberg thanked Harper for the reminder, then directed the speaker to continue.
The exchange stood out. While council rules clearly limit speakers to three minutes, the mayor’s repeated decision to allow the speaker to proceed suggested an effort to avoid the appearance of silencing criticism during a highly charged meeting.
Clarifying the Recordings
Contrary to some early assumptions, the audio recordings at issue were not recordings of executive sessions. Instead, they are one-party consent recordings, the existence of which has been previously reported and alluded to on Pipkins Reports. Their precise origin has not been publicly detailed, but their contents have been referenced repeatedly by both supporters and critics of the recall effort.
Behind Closed Doors
Following the public meeting, the council entered executive session to consult with legal counsel. After about an hour, members returned to open session at approximately 3:22:52 .
The primary motion coming out of that session was to “waive deliberative privilege“. The effect of the vote was to remove a legal obstacle to releasing the secret audio recordings that have been at the center of the controversy.
No excerpts were played, and no conclusions were announced. The council did not rule on the legality of the recordings, nor did it weigh in on the merits of the recall election itself.
Why the Vote Matters
The decision does not resolve the recall of Councilwoman Chinn. It does not validate or refute claims made by either side. What it does is shift the debate away from rumor and secondhand accounts.
According to guidance from the Texas Municipal League, governing bodies may waive certain privileges when transparency is deemed to serve the public interest, particularly when litigation risk is balanced against public trust (Texas Municipal League, Open Meetings Act resources).
Opinion and Perspective
The council’s action was a necessary step. Secret recordings, selectively referenced and strategically leaked, undermine confidence in local government. So does a refusal to confront them directly.
Transparency is not about protecting officials from embarrassment. It is NOT the job of the council to assist the city in concealing information that may be used against it in legal proceedings when the City Manager, or Councilmen, may have done bad things. It is about protecting citizens from manipulation. If the recordings exonerate those involved, their release will restore credibility. If they raise concerns, voters deserve to hear them unfiltered before making decisions in a recall election.
Monday night in Fate did not end the controversy. It ended the excuse for keeping the public in the dark.
The dispute began publicly in Fate, Texas, when I was accused by Councilwoman Codi Chinn’s husband, William Marcus Chinn, of concealing material facts. WM Chinn asserted that I “knew” that Mayor Andrew Greenberg was responsible for placing Chief of DPS Lyle Lombard into executive session long before a controversial letter ever surfaced, and (he asserts) that I was deliberately lying to protect him … as well as shedding false light on his wife.
So I did what journalists are supposed to do when confronted with claims that purport to be factual. I pulled the records.
What those records show is not a cover-up or collusion, but a collapse of a narrative. Click here for further information regarding the timeline of events.
The Claim
Mr. Chinn asserted that Mayor Greenberg initiated an executive session involving Chief Lombard on or before November 10, 2025, well before later events that have since become the subject of political dispute. He further claimed the mayor supported Lombard’s firing, and accused me of knowingly concealing those facts.
Those are serious allegations against a sitting mayor and a journalist. They are also verifiable.
The Records
On January 15, 2026, I filed an open records request with the City of Fate seeking all emails from Mayor Greenberg calling for an executive session to discuss Lyle Lombard prior to November 11, 2025. The City of Fate Public Records Office acknowledged the request and produced responsive documents through its public records portal.
The emails produced do not support the accusations made by Mr. Chinn.
Instead, the correspondence shows a discussion in late September 2025, specifically September 22 and 23, between City Manager Michael Kovacs, Councilman Mark Harper, and Mayor Greenberg. The topic was not the discipline, termination, or performance of Chief Lombard. It was regarding the DPS as a whole, and whether or not it should be separated into distinct divisions.
The email exchange centered on “Executive Session Meeting for DPS“, not Lyle Lombard. Under Texas law, such matters are commonly discussed in executive session due to personnel and strategic considerations. Kovacs even goes further to include that “IF” the discussion moves into discussing Lombard, they will have to make changes to the forum.
There is no evidence in the records that Mayor Greenberg sought to discuss Lombard personally, or that he anticipated the executive session would involve anything beyond the DPS split.
On the Record Confirmation
To remove any ambiguity, I spoke directly with Mayor Greenberg, on the record. He confirmed that his sole interest in the executive session discussion was the potential separation of the DPS into standalone Police and Fire departments. He stated he did not believe, at the time, that the executive session would be used to address Chief Lombard personally.
His statement aligns with the documentary evidence.
What Changed, and Who Changed It
Email we received on November 25, 2025 from Shelbi Stofer, PIO Officer for the City of Fate, states the facts, “Below you will see the press release regarding our leadership change at the City of Fate. Additionally, you asked about the councilmembers that [sic: who] asked for the agenda item and they were Councilmember Chinn and Councilmember Kelley (2nd).” Referring to the councilmen who requested that the chief be placed into executive session.
The email concluded with the public “Announcement of Leadership Transition” (Lyle Lombard)
The records show no mayoral email initiating an executive session for the purpose of discussing Lombard. The testimony and sources indicate the executive session was desired by Councilwoman Chinn, seconded by Councilman Kelley. The records reviewed do not substantiate the accusations made by WM Chinn or Councilwoman Codi Chinn that the Mayor had any involvement. By association, Pipkins Reports can’t have had any other knowledge to the contrary.
The Rhetoric Behind the Scenes
Politics is rarely polite, and Fate is no exception.
According to sources, after the council meeting in October 2025, Councilman Mark Harper referred to Mayor Greenberg as a “sellout” during internal discussions, a remark that reflects political frustration rather than documented fact. Separately, in a later recorded conversation with Pipkins Reports, Councilwoman Chinn referred to the mayor as a “Ken Doll,” adding a crude remark and referencing the doll’s genitalia as a metaphor regarding the mayor’s lack of courage. (We are paraphrasing, of course.)
Those statements are not evidence of wrongdoing. They are evidence of animus against the Mayor for his desire not to be involved with an employee dispute, which falls under the purview of the City Manager.
Opinion and Analysis
Here is where interpretation belongs.
What this episode reveals is not a secret scheme, but a familiar tactic. Make a claim forcefully enough, shout it into a microphone in a city hall meeting, and hope the accusation itself becomes the evidence. When challenged, attack the journalist. When records contradict the story, change the subject.
Texas open records law exists to protect the public from exactly this kind of political fog. When the documents are pulled, narratives either stand or fall. In this case, they fell.
No evidence has emerged showing Mayor Andrew Greenberg initiated an executive session to target Chief Lombard. No records show he supported Lombard’s termination prior to the events already publicly known. Those facts matter, regardless of personal grievances or political alliances.
If Councilwoman Chinn, her husband, or anyone else possesses documentary evidence to the contrary, it should be produced. Until then, accusations remain accusations, and the record remains clear.
Council
Snowstorm Showdown: Fate Recall Vote Advances as Councilwoman Chinn Accuses Mayor of Endangering Public Safety
Fate, Texas — A routine procedural vote to advance a recall election against Fate City Councilwoman Codi Chinn has escalated into a sharp political confrontation, as Chinn and her supporters accuse Mayor Andrew Greenberg of disregarding safety concerns and acting out of what they describe as personal animus.
The meeting, scheduled for Monday, January 26th, 2026, includes consideration of a Certificate of Sufficiency necessary to formally set the recall election, which has become the latest flashpoint in an increasingly bitter feud between Chinn and the mayor. Her supporters now argue the recall effort is driven by personal grievances rather than civic concerns, and some have begun openly discussing the possibility of filing a counter-recall against the mayor himself.
At issue is a recall petition that gathered more than 400 signatures from Fate residents seeking to remove Chinn from office. According to city verification records, 396 of those signatures were deemed valid—more than enough to meet the statutory threshold required to place the recall on the ballot.
Chinn and her allies do not dispute the number of verified signatures. Instead, they argue that the process, and the timing of the meeting to advance it, reflects political hostility rather than concern for good governance.
“He’s Willing to Put Ppl in Danger”
COUNCILWOMAN CODY CHINN REGARDING MAYOR GREENBERG.
In a Facebook post, Chinn accused the mayor of recklessly jeopardizing public safety in order to ensure the recall vote moved forward before key election deadlines expired. Chinn created a poll on Facebook, asking social media whether the meeting should be canceled due to weather. However, critics note that Chinn did not reference the recall timeline when raising concerns about the weather.
When Pipkins Reports asked her, “You should be honest with people and tell them why you want this.” Chinn responded:
“No the MAYOR should be honest with why he’s jeopardizing the safety of city staff, the ppl who want to comment, and city officials,” Chinn wrote. “This is the last meeting he can have me recalled because HE waited until it’s too late to put me on the May ballot.”
She continued by asserting that the mayor’s motivations were personal rather than procedural.
“He’s willing to put ppl in danger for his petty little grudge!” she wrote.
Chinn further argued that any leader genuinely concerned about residents would have postponed the meeting if road conditions deteriorated.
“Anyone with an ounce of integrity and care for his citizens would cancel the meeting if there’s ice on the roads,” she wrote. “But he wants me recalled MORE than he cares about ppls lives!”
Her post also highlighted the travel required of city staff and officials, underscoring her claim that the meeting posed unnecessary risk. In doing so, she exposed the hometown of the City Secretary. Her message concluded with profanity directed at the mayor and a disparaging remark about this publication.
A Recall Driven by Conduct, Not Weather
While Chinn and her supporters frame her as a victim and the recall as retaliation for her political positions, the general basis for the recall effort centers largely on her conduct and language while serving on the council. Critics of Chinn cite what they describe as a confrontational style and the use of sharp language during her tenure, which is incompatible with the decorum expected of an elected official. Supporters of the recall argue that her latest post reinforces their concerns.
Supporters of the recall argue that the very Facebook post Chinn used to denounce the mayor illustrates the problem voters are seeking to address. They contend the recall is not about silencing dissent, but about restoring professionalism and civility to city government.
Chinn, however, rejects that characterization, maintaining that her blunt language is being weaponized against her by political opponents unwilling to tolerate her criticism.
The Procedural Flashpoint
The City Council meeting at the center of the controversy was not the recall election itself, but a legally required step to advance it. Under Texas law, once a recall petition is certified as sufficient, the governing body must issue a certificate of sufficiency, triggering the scheduling of the election. It’s a process that must go forward … by law.
Chinn is correct about the timing. With the May election approaching, failure to act now would likely have pushed the recall into the November election, or potentially a standalone Special Election, increasing costs to the taxpayers.
Mayor Greenberg has issued the following statement on Facebook:
Supporters Escalate the Fight
As the recall process moves forward, Chinn’s supporters are signaling they are not content to play defense. Several have openly discussed the possibility of initiating a counter-recall against Mayor Greenberg, arguing that his decision to proceed with the meeting demonstrates poor judgment and disregard for public safety.
While no counter-recall petition has yet been filed, the threat alone marks a significant escalation in Fate’s already volatile political climate. What began as a recall of one council member now risks expanding into a broader referendum on the city’s leadership.
What Comes Next
If the Certificate of Sufficiency is finalized Monday night, voters will ultimately decide whether Chinn’s conduct warrants removal from office. The recall election would give residents the opportunity to weigh her style, language, and performance against her claims of political persecution.
Should her supporters follow through on threats of a counter-recall, Fate could soon find itself mired in overlapping recall efforts.
Even as weather conditions improve, tensions surrounding the recall remain unresolved. As the recall advances, the question before Fate voters is no longer simply whether Councilwoman Chinn should remain on the council, but whether the standards of conduct at City Hall have reached a breaking point.
Editor’s Note:
This article includes direct quotations from social media posts and statements made by public officials regarding an ongoing recall process. Allegations, interpretations, and characterizations attributed to elected officials or their supporters are presented as claims and opinions, not findings of fact. Pipkins Reports relies on public records, verified statements, and publicly available posts in its reporting. Readers are encouraged to review source materials and attend public meetings to form their own conclusions.
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