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The last Groves City Council meeting of the year was disrupted by insults and accusations by former city council member ward four Rhonda Dugas towards Mayor Chris Borne and other colleagues.

The Dec. 23 Groves City Council meeting marked the swearing-in of two of the Groves City Council member runoff election winners, Rae Shauna Gay and Brandon Holmes. During the citizen comments section of the meeting where all citizens are allowed to come up to the podium, Rhonda Dugas used this time to address some of the council members accusing them of being a “corrupt, criminal and fascist,” organization.

Dugas’ speech lasted roughly 5 minutes while she addressed city council members. Most of the comments made by Dugas were directed to Groves Mayor Chris Borne. Dugas repeatedly calls Borne and city council members “fascists” and “criminals”. The speech was only interrupted by council member Pete Konidis who stated “Welcome to politics.” 

During her speech, Dugas went on to accuse Mayor Borne of being responsible for many of the city’s issues.

“You want to stop the Mexican Cartel gangs? Borne is to blame. You want to stop the ID thefts that prey on people’s phones and steal their sim cards? Borne is to blame. You want to stop the motorcycle gangs that terrorize the elderly of Groves and scare them out of the city? Borne is to blame,” said Dugas. 

Borne chose not to respond to any of the allegations made by Dugas and continued the council meeting as normal.

Dugas has previously been a part of recent controversy including an incident where she was removed from Groves Economic Development Corporation Board after reportedly attacking colleagues and visitors verbally over a dispute over a reimbursement from a local business. 

When the time came to swear-in the new council members Dugas was the sole No vote in certifying the new city council members.