There are two sides to every story, and the case of what occurred at a Feb. 22 executive session of Westover City Council is no different.
Both sides of this story are in agreement that, during that February meeting, an altercation occurred between several members of the council. Everyone also seems to agree that the initial argument began because First Ward Councilor Ralph Mullins was attempting to record the session.
What occurred next, and the details thereof, is where the stories start to differ.
Mullins told The Dominion Post in March that the situation began as a heated debate between himself and Councilor Duane Tatar, but was interrupted by Mayor Dave Johnson, who approached and ultimately shoved Mullins, forcing Police Chief Joe Adams to separate the two.
Mullins said when Johnson shoved him, his knee popped, causing him to tear his meniscus, which will require surgery to repair.
Councilman Steve Andryzcik told The Dominion Post he remembers the situation a little differently than Mullins.
“Councilman Mullins claims that Dave Johnson came to him and that’s why he got up from the table – he’s quoted as saying that,” Andryzcik said. “But the only way Dave Johnson could have pushed him is if Councilman Mullins came around that table toward Dave.”
Andryzcik claims Mullins continued to come at Johnson until Chief Adams stepped in.
“Dave has every right to defend himself when somebody is coming at him, screaming at the top of his lungs, beet red,” Andryzcik said. “Dave put his hand out, and Ralph’s shoulder might have gone back two inches.”
After the incident, Mullins filed a complaint with the West Virginia State Police, who investigated the altercation — the result of which is a misdemeanor battery charge against Johnson.
“Approximately one month after the incident on Feb. 22., our city council and our mayor voted unanimously to censure me because of the incident,” Mullins said. “The incident that has since been investigated by the West Virginia State Police and they have charged Dave Johnson with battery.”
Mullins said even after the charge, he is still the only one who has seen any repercussions from council.
“City Council did not inquire about a censure on Dave Johnson or a censure on anyone else. They censured me unanimously,” he said. “So I think that that tells everything everyone needs to know about our city council.”
Johnson was arraigned in Monongalia County Magistrate Court on Tuesday and was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. He did not wish to comment on the charge or the incident.
Andryzcik still isn’t convinced Johnson did anything wrong.
“In my opinion, from my point of view and from where I was at, all Dave Johnson was doing was defending himself from Ralph coming at him,” he said. “The way [Mullins] portrays himself on the radio and to the newspaper and so forth is so far from what the whole truth is and I’ve found over time, the last two years of this sort of thing, partial information is nothing but damaging for Westover.”
A new city council will be seated in July after the Westover city election in June. Neither Johnson nor Mullins will seek re-election.
“It’s just one thing after another and it’s been going on for two years. I’m very much looking forward to the meeting on the first of July and hope the city can get on with taking care of business, which is what it’s been doing for 14 years with Dave Johnson in there,” Andryzcik said.
The Dominion Post’s Ben Conley contributed to this report.
