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Nancy De Foster is hugged by citizens after Bandera City Council votes to remove her from office.
Standing room only was left in Bandera City Hall during a special meeting called Thursday, Jan. 2.
Photos and Video by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
January 7, 2025
City council terminates city marshal, cites lack of confidence
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
In a four-to-one decision, Bandera City Council members passed a resolution removing City Marshal Nancy De Foster from office, citing lack of confidence.
Standing room only was left Thursday evening, with more than 20 people standing outside after City Hall reached its 66-person capacity. During the special meeting’s public comments, numerous people spoke in defense of De Foster; by email Mark Griffin, Roy Dugosh, Susan Junker, Cindy Beckham, Kimberly Christianson, Jane and Dan Griffith and others sent their support, Mayor Denise Griffin said.
“I have nothing but the highest esteem for her character, as a law enforcement professional and as an individual,” Chris Dion, a 28-year military veteran, said.
Given a choice between open or closed session, De Foster requested her hearing be held in public. City Administrator Stan Farmer read aloud his detailed complaints, which he said were examples of insubordination, poor leadership, disdain for authority, and refusal to report to him.
“She believes her department should be completely autonomous. She is insubordinate and disrespectful,” Farmer said. “I have lack of confidence in her ability to marshal. I recommend immediate removal of office.”
De Foster moved to Bandera from Hawaii in 2019, after retiring from 26 years as a law enforcement officer with the Honolulu Police Department.
“I never received a complaint, I was never involved in a lawsuit, my disciplinary record is clean,” De Foster said. “I do not lie, and I do not respect or trust people who do.”
De Foster refuted Farmer’s claims, stating he made untrue statements, failed to follow policies and procedures, regularly withheld information, and altered her proposals without her consent. She defended herself from multiple criticisms, including denying a parade permit request, which she said was received nine days after the publicized deadline.
“Approving an application after deadline violates the city’s policies,” De Foster said. “This type of behavior causes mistrust. Instead, the city administrator refers to my efforts to enforce the law without bias as obstinance.”
Before the city police department was disbanded several years ago, the chief of police reported directly to the mayor and council members. As a potential solution, Griffin asked De Foster if she would be willing to do the same, in lieu of answering to the city administrator, should the city opt to reinstate its former policy.
“Absolutely,” De Foster said.
However, Councilmen Tony Battle, Jeff Flowers and Brett Hicks each expressed concerns.
“I do see a lot of personality conflicts, and I do see a lot of insubordination,” Flowers said. “Ultimately, you have to respect authority if you want to keep your job. You are a police officer and that’s why we hired you. We want to trust that you’re doing your job, and we want to trust that Stan’s doing his job. We want to trust that you’re giving us the truth… No matter the outcome, it’s just sad that we’re here.”
Councilwoman Debbie Breen said she received positive feedback from deputies and the community regarding De Foster’s work ethic and office morale, in contrast to a survey Hicks conducted, which he said was overwhelmingly negative.
“The answers I got were that they were happy with [De Foster]. Their problem was equipment…failure of radios, old vehicles,” Breen said. “It’s interesting that I got a totally different response. It makes me question the validity of the survey.”
Breen said she also heard from “tons of businesses and business owners” who support De Foster.
“I see a conflict. I don’t see anything to call into question other than an argument between two people,” Breen said. “I don’t think it’s fair that she’s going to lose her job. Before we go down this road, I would really like to have the marshal report to the council and mayor for a short period.”
The motion to adopt the resolution to remove De Foster from office for lack of confidence carried, with Breen the lone nay vote. Deputy Marshal Earl Heidelberg was appointed interim marshal, until further notice.
“No time limit is associated with the interim position,” Farmer said. “Council will eventually discuss the next steps.”
Editor’s Note: Watch full videos of the meeting on our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/banderaprophet/
Standing room only was left Thursday evening, with more than 20 people standing outside after City Hall reached its 66-person capacity. During the special meeting’s public comments, numerous people spoke in defense of De Foster; by email Mark Griffin, Roy Dugosh, Susan Junker, Cindy Beckham, Kimberly Christianson, Jane and Dan Griffith and others sent their support, Mayor Denise Griffin said.
“I have nothing but the highest esteem for her character, as a law enforcement professional and as an individual,” Chris Dion, a 28-year military veteran, said.
Given a choice between open or closed session, De Foster requested her hearing be held in public. City Administrator Stan Farmer read aloud his detailed complaints, which he said were examples of insubordination, poor leadership, disdain for authority, and refusal to report to him.
“She believes her department should be completely autonomous. She is insubordinate and disrespectful,” Farmer said. “I have lack of confidence in her ability to marshal. I recommend immediate removal of office.”
De Foster moved to Bandera from Hawaii in 2019, after retiring from 26 years as a law enforcement officer with the Honolulu Police Department.
“I never received a complaint, I was never involved in a lawsuit, my disciplinary record is clean,” De Foster said. “I do not lie, and I do not respect or trust people who do.”
De Foster refuted Farmer’s claims, stating he made untrue statements, failed to follow policies and procedures, regularly withheld information, and altered her proposals without her consent. She defended herself from multiple criticisms, including denying a parade permit request, which she said was received nine days after the publicized deadline.
“Approving an application after deadline violates the city’s policies,” De Foster said. “This type of behavior causes mistrust. Instead, the city administrator refers to my efforts to enforce the law without bias as obstinance.”
Before the city police department was disbanded several years ago, the chief of police reported directly to the mayor and council members. As a potential solution, Griffin asked De Foster if she would be willing to do the same, in lieu of answering to the city administrator, should the city opt to reinstate its former policy.
“Absolutely,” De Foster said.
However, Councilmen Tony Battle, Jeff Flowers and Brett Hicks each expressed concerns.
“I do see a lot of personality conflicts, and I do see a lot of insubordination,” Flowers said. “Ultimately, you have to respect authority if you want to keep your job. You are a police officer and that’s why we hired you. We want to trust that you’re doing your job, and we want to trust that Stan’s doing his job. We want to trust that you’re giving us the truth… No matter the outcome, it’s just sad that we’re here.”
Councilwoman Debbie Breen said she received positive feedback from deputies and the community regarding De Foster’s work ethic and office morale, in contrast to a survey Hicks conducted, which he said was overwhelmingly negative.
“The answers I got were that they were happy with [De Foster]. Their problem was equipment…failure of radios, old vehicles,” Breen said. “It’s interesting that I got a totally different response. It makes me question the validity of the survey.”
Breen said she also heard from “tons of businesses and business owners” who support De Foster.
“I see a conflict. I don’t see anything to call into question other than an argument between two people,” Breen said. “I don’t think it’s fair that she’s going to lose her job. Before we go down this road, I would really like to have the marshal report to the council and mayor for a short period.”
The motion to adopt the resolution to remove De Foster from office for lack of confidence carried, with Breen the lone nay vote. Deputy Marshal Earl Heidelberg was appointed interim marshal, until further notice.
“No time limit is associated with the interim position,” Farmer said. “Council will eventually discuss the next steps.”
Editor’s Note: Watch full videos of the meeting on our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/banderaprophet/