The Dayton City Council held a special-called meeting on Monday, Sept. 30, to discuss the employment of City Manager Kim Judge following the release of a controversial video. The video, which shows Judge pole-dancing during an out-of-town trip while representing the City of Dayton, has been widely shared on social media and brought intense scrutiny to the city manager.
The footage, which was reportedly captured while Judge was off-duty and attending meetings for the city, sparked backlash and led Council to place her on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Although the video has stirred public debate, sources close to the City suggest that Council has been unhappy with Judge’s performance for some time. In recent months, Council reportedly offered her a buyout of her contract, which she declined.
Several residents and community leaders attended the Sept. 30 meeting, expressing their opinions on whether the incident warranted such action.
The meeting, presided over by Mayor Pro Tem Tonya Smikal in the absence of Mayor Martin Mudd, opened to a public comment session, during which many residents spoke in support of Judge, highlighting her work ethic and contributions to the community. Others, however, raised concerns about professionalism and judgment.
James Parson, a vocal supporter, warned the Council about the repercussions of removing Judge.
“This is not a threat, but a promise. If she does get fired, I will campaign to find new people for the City Council if y’all do run her off. That’s a promise, not a threat,” he said.
Former Dayton Mayor Caroline Wadzeck shared her experience working alongside Judge, stating, “I’ve known Kimberly Judge for at least eight years…She has been Director of Planning, Director of Public Works, Assistant City Manager, and then we named her City Manager in 2023…It would be a shame for us to lose Kimberly over this issue.”
Local attorney Courtney Wheeler criticized the Council’s handling of the situation.
“If this video had been mildly more intimate, this man that sent it would have been charged with revenge porn, and you would be treating her like a victim. But right now you’re treating her like she’s a whore,” she said, urging Council to consider the context and circumstances before making a decision.
Not all comments were in Judge’s favor. One speaker, whose name Bluebonnet News is attempting to obtain from the City Secretary, emphasized the need for professional behavior in leadership roles.
“Leaders don’t do things like that because you’re always supposed to act in a certain manner. It opens up the city to liability,” the speaker said. He cited concerns over potential legal costs if the city’s insurance were to be affected by such behavior.
The speaker pointed out budgetary concerns, including $1.2 million in costs and a recent storage unit purchase that resulted in financial loss.
“We expect somebody that is getting paid that much to act as somebody that leads an enterprise like that,” he added.
Following the public comments, the Council moved into an executive session. Upon returning, Council voted to place Judge on administrative leave.
Councilman Harry Barnes acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating, “It sounds personal. And it ought not be personal. What it really ought to be is a moral issue…The truth of the matter is, we are in representation of the city 24/7… There is no ‘my time.’”
Councilwoman Valorie Barton urged the public to allow the investigation to take its course.
“We have a difficult task at hand, and it’s not going to be easy,” Barton said. “There are investigations that have to take place, things that have to be done. My ask is that you allow us to do our part because y’all elected us. Each one of us was elected by you all. Y’all are the taxpayers and I do not like wasting y’all’s money…Just know that we’re going to let the process take place and then you form whatever decision you need to form after that, but give us the opportunity to do the right thing for for every person involved in the process and if you don’t agree with the outcome then you take it to the polls next year when it’s time for the election.”
While Judge is on administrative leave, the day-to-day operations of the City will be left in the hands of Police Chief Derek Woods, who also serves as the deputy city manager. With Woods occupied with City Hall, Capt. Shane Burleigh will be overseeing operations of the police department.
Dayton city council should be fired. What a racist bunch of hicks. This has nothing to do with her job performance. Having fun with your friends is not grounds for her treatment. She’s not part of the good ole boy’s club and she’s a strong black woman. Seems a lot of people are scared of strong black women. The council should all hang their heads in shame. So christian of them. What a hateful example they set for young black women. You should all be fired. Hope she brings a federal discrimination suit that bankrupts the city. She will win, it’s a no brainer.
I have 1/10,000 the public visibility of this woman, and you’ll never, ever see me acting unprofessionally or with impropriety. She lacks ethics and respect for the position. Fire her.
Why because she’s black and female? Your white supremacy is showing. I’ve gone to seminars all over the country for 30 years for my company. We always go out and have fun after the events. Even staying an extra day sometime. We did way crazier stuff. I worked for a fortune 500 company. She did nothing wrong. Scared of a strong black woman? You know nothing of seminars. This racist action is pathetic. To bad you’re butt hurt about someone having a good time. Your life must be very dull.
Poor Todd. White supremacy is a thing you know. She did nothing wrong.
So you mean to tell me you’re perfect you don’t drink alcohol ,smoke or dance or have a good time and don’t curse . You must be living in a cave.
If you think like that, we definitely don’t need you as a judge! Hope you don’t have any authority or the people because who cares about unprofessional after work hours when we have bigger issues in America!
It slays me that every adverse event with a POC defaults that the POC is the victim and racism is the cause. Every. Single. Time. I have NEVER seen a POC stand up and say, that was not about skin tone. That was because she wasn’t well suited for the position. I have been let go and I have quit jobs because after a while, it’s obvious that the skill set isn’t right. No shame to anyone. It’s just that matter no matter how hard we want it to work, square pegs do not fit into round holes. This behavior is embarrassment to the city and she will never be respected the same way. That video will live into infinity. Bad decision, mama. There are consequences for bad decisions. I hope her contract has a clause about proper representation of the city. She’s probably in Michael Wright’s office keeping the seat warm. Tsk Tsk
Just because she’s a city manager doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy life. Y’all are sad and if says more about you then her. Smh y’all judge her over dancing and I bet your closet is a dirty mess.
Todd, the easy way out is to fire. Do you know what integrity iss? It isnn’t only what you do in publlic but most importabtly what you do behind closed doors when no one is looking. The only reason why these council members have made this into a want to fire her approachi is because it was made public with a video. I have my views, opinion, and immediate termination is not the answer. However, they’ve alway tried to do HR and have on clue what they are doing! I am sure they will get their attornney involved to cover their tracks.
Can any of the council members stand before a jury and plead not guilty to lack of integrity? Can they honestly say that they are people of integrity behind the scenes when no one is looking and/or knows what they are doing? See anyone can cast stones and say they are people of integrity, be one thing in front of the public and be a different person behind closed doors. People like this are not honest people. It is called hypocrisy!!! Intentions and motives are not measureable but God sees and knows all things!!!!
Why is it race is always an issue?
Lol, hmmmm good question. Why is it that race is always an issue? Maybe ask the ones that benefit on it always being an issue. Therein is where you’ll find the answer
I don’t understand. Why is race ALWAYS brought up ? It’s sickening. LOSE THE RACE CARD ! This has to do with behavior not race. People of color that continues with this racist talk needs some schooling about how to hold yourself accountable for what you’ve done. Grow up. You are not teaching the younger generations nothing but hate. STOP SAYING WHITE PEOPLE ARE RACIST AND TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOURSELF
Maybe because white people hung black people from trees. Maybe because people like you are blind to racism because you enjoy white privilege. Because systematic racism has been ingrained in our government. Our prisons are full of black and brown people who are a minority in the population but a majority in prisons. It’s not that they commit more crimes either. Statistics tell us that’s a lie. Maybe because black people are ten times more likely to get pulled over while driving. Maybe because cops shoot and kill people of color at a disproportionate rate compared to white people. Or maybe it’s because people like you have never bothered to ask a black person. You’re part of the problem with a question like that. Go ahead ask a black person that question. But you won’t because you will just continue in your own little world oblivious of the blatant discrimination and hate many white people promote against our brothers and sisters who happen to have a darker skin tone.
Sarakook- educate yourself
Wow. Race and gender have nothing to do with it. You’re just trying to bully and name call because you have no argument and just your opinion. It’s a matter of decency and professionalism 24/7, as rightly mentioned in the article. Something that you, along with Judge, clearly lack based on your comments above. She’s in a leadership position, represents the city 24/7 and should have known better. No one cares about your feelings. She should be fired.
Race and gender have everything to do with it. You obviously are white. You’ve never cared enough to ask a black person about systemic racism in every aspect of our society. I worked for a fortune 500 company for over 30 years. I attended many work conferences in New York and Washington DC during my career. Me and my colleagues always went out on the town afterwards. Many times with out bosses. We cut up and had a good time doing many things that YOU wouldn’t approve of. Have you ever attended a company sponsored conferences in big cities? Probably not. There’s nothing wrong with her behavior except she did it while being black. The city opens themselves to a federal discrimination lawsuit with it’s actions. Any attorney would take this pro-bono. It’s so blatant a blind person could see it. I hope she does sue the city into bankruptcy. They would deserve it.
Race card is always an issue because people are always dealing.
The hypocrisy to scream racism and proceed to call a group a bunch of hicks in the same sentence is hilarious. Racism is worse today than ever before. White people have just become the targets. You talk about how dull their lives must be but how dull does your life have to be to feel the uncontrolable need to play victim in every single situation?! If you don’t want people to judge youthen be the example you are demanding
White privilege is a thing. You’re a prime example of it. Are you mad about my comments? Good! If it brothers you that much I’ve touched a nerve and only proves my point. Peace.
Definitely smells like a federal discrimination lawsuit…God forbid she has fun in her free time. No one finds it strange that they tried to buy her out of her contract then miraculously out of thin air this video appears….When the conspiracy comes to light heads will roll and Mrs Judge will come out on top!
Amen 🙏
I hope she retains Attorney Crump. He’ll sue Dayton into bankruptcy and Ms. Judge will never have to work again. She deserves no less. It’s time this good ole boy system of government understands that this form of racism is not going to be tolerated any longer in Liberty County. This county is busting out at the seems and a great majority of people that are coming here are not going to approve of this crap.
I’m glad she’s on paid leave because I do believe in innocent until proven guilty. I’m talking about guilty of something besides pole dancing of course. Who cares if she went out and did that.
White supremacy give me a break. I am certainly not scared of a black woman. She’s supposed to represent all of us. When one side has no winning argument they call you racist that will solve it.
You obviously speak from a position of white privilege by your comment. This lady did nothing wrong. She had fun after a city sanctioned conference while black. That’s all she’s guilty of. I attended many company sponsored conferences in my 30 year career in New York and Washington DC. Having fun after a conference is the only reason I went to them. They’re sometimes hard to do especially if you’re a presenter as I was many times. Blowing off a little steam afterwards helps. Having a good time after a conference which can be a stressful occurrence helps to relieve the stress and make the trip worth it. Having fun while black is not worthy of her treatment. I’m sure you wouldn’t understand because you’ve never been in this position and traveled to a city to present or attend at these conferences. The lady did nothing wrong.
This woman has gone above and beyond for a city that has been embroiled in scandal upon scandal, whether it be misappropriation of funds, stealing money from tax layers for vacation or stealing property and land for personal use. She has committed no crimes, has never had sanctions or reprimands because she does her job and she does it well.
While ingree that a certain professional demeanor needs to be maintained, that doesn’t take away the fact that she is a human being and is entitled to let off steam once in a while. She did nothing illegal, and there are several businesses around this city that pay women to dance in poles. She was doing us a service by providing it for free. I don’t care if she throws water balloons from the top of the court building, she’s earned the right to let her hair down when she is off duty. I hope she sues the pants off this city council and I hope each and every last one of you is fired and replaced with a pole dancer for real! Take the sticks out of your hind quarters and focus on getting this community under control.
Exactly! She’s uncovering all the scandal that is present in the city government and the good ole boys are running scared they’ll get caught partaking in their illegal activities. I hope she gets a good attorney who sues Dayton into bankruptcy. Having a good time while black isn’t illegal.
I’ve been in Dayton all my life and I believe she doesn’t need to be fired for something that happened off her shift, if she isn’t harming or hurtful to anyone/group of people. What you do in your spare time doesn’t matter as long as you are fair/good judge. Too many unfair/racist judges get to keep their jobs!
But she’s black and uncovering all the scandal present in city government. The good ole boys are nervous. Having a good time while black isn’t illegal. If she was white, city council would be laughing about it and having a good time. There would be no issue if she was a member the good ole boy club.
she has not do a good job for the city . she only run it down more for the day she took office
What? Can’t understand you? Are you speaking English? Please try again. Your comment is important.
she needed to be fired
Every actual American human being who reads these comments needs to recognize that this media outlet, and the city you love and/or grew up in, has clearly been targeted by leftist extremists. The things you read about in “big cities” are coming here. To our home. You cannot ignore it. They’re laying the groundwork. Read these comments and ask yourself if the community you live in is represented here. You don’t know any real people who spew this garbage in our town. Go to the diner and listen. They don’t exist.
For the AI here, before you reply, what language model are you using?
When you are representing the City it must be very professional and respectful…. If she was on vacation that’s another story…. But conduct unbecoming is a serious infraction.
Are you kidding me! Y’all are judgemental as hell. Condemn a woman for dancing but your Trump can sexually assault multiple women, lie, tear this country to pieces, divide us all, but you whine like a little baby over her dancing. Y’all are a damn joke.
Now was trump allowed to run for president when he is a rapist.
EXACTLY! Their POS trump can do anything he would like and it’s presidential. They all out themselves with this bs
Why are we acting like this is horrible and unprofessional when our 45th president has so many skeletons in his closet he can’t keep them all in there. The fact that the right can excuse his deplorable behavior and actions towards the women in his life is insane in its own right but how yall are reacting to this shows your true colors stop acting like everyone is trying to make it a race thing when her actions harmed no one and somehow that means she deserves to be fired, if she deserves to be fired for this you have admit that trump deserves to be under the jail at this point.
Our 45th President wasn’t the issue. It was the media and Democrats that were the issue and still are. Funny how when Clinton was in office and he lied to his wife and to the American citizens on live tv and you and many others said absolutely nothing. Why was that? Because he was a Democrat. Why are you and others attacking Trump? Because he left the democrat plantation and quit funding that nonsense and exposed what has been going on and still is but much like this lady here folks like you know what she did is wrong but you want to prop her up because she a woman and is black. That’s all but if she were white and a republican you would have seen her thrown out of office without any administrative leave. Furthermore Trump doesn’t deserve to be in jail. The folks who been trying since the man got elected as president when they said he would never be president when they told him in the 80s that he should run for president, ought to be the one’s put under the jail in Gitmo Cuba and you right along with them.
you’re delusional. Keep telling yourself that. Convince yourself so you don’t feel like a big bag of D’s for voting for a man that sexually assaults women doesn’t have a coherent thought in his head let alone a policy oh that’s right he has a concept of one. the way he talks about his daughter, the way he said he would love to have a purge in this country let cops do whatever they want for a whole hour if not a day, how HE wanted to kill Central Park 5 because they were black, the list goes on with that POS. Not to mention that he went and found a judge that will wait until after the election to sentence him on the 34 counts that he was found guilty on. And he wants to take women’s rights away!!! The fact that you stick up for him so dear heartedly tells me everything I need to know about people like you JOHN! Needless to say I would never let you around my daughter.
He has spent more than the last five presidents before him!!!! No you should be his little cell buddy and gitmo. Y’all can tell little butt stories to each other
Thank you Null, and Connie I’m surprised at your comment about people of color considering your Background . gotcha.
So after reading this story it’s a no brainer. As a public official representing anything as a leader you have to carry yourself in a way to respect yourself and for others to respect you. This isn’t a game where you get to pretend you are one thing at work but being something else out in public. This ain’t trick or treat. The ones playing the race card it’s not about race. Some of y’all go to church and if someone in a leadership position does something against the church doctrine then that person regardless who it is ought to step down because they have lost the respect of the people that depend on a solid leader. If you ain’t gonna be a solid leader then don’t take the job. Leadership jobs require accountability on and off the job regardless your skin color and if you think that there’s a problem even with that then you should take your skin color in consideration to make good decisions and not ones that will cause shame on you, your family and employer
So it was okay when a white man was running the city and sleeping with city employees on city time and property and he kept his job, but a black woman has a little fun not on city time or property she needs to lose her job? Your racism and hypocrisy is showing.
Trump lowered the bar for everyone.
She should resign, but she won’t… easier to play the race card. She should apologize for her bad behavior and judgement, but she won’t, not giving up easy money right! Fire her- absolutely damn right.
It’s funny the only people I see crying like little babies over her dancing are men. But I bet you go to a strip club and put that dollar in that g-string though don’t ya
Cindy go tell the people wiped out by a Hurricane how sorry Trump is and how great Biden and Harris are. Biden on vacation and Harris out getting more brain dead suckers to vote for her. Trump gave 25 million of his money to the storm victims then went there ahead of Dum and Dummer . Harris said they could have $750. You worry about abortion while the US is is in trouble. Biden giving billions to overseas countries that don’t care about us. But FEMA gives money to the border jumpers that want free handouts. and now they
re about to run out of money that for disasters.
True, she wasn’t doing anything that any of us haven’t done, but she’s also a city official representing Dayton and she has a responsibility to conduct herself accordingly. When I was a youth football coach, and let’s say I was at TVE drinking and dancing, if my young players showed up I immediately stopped drinking so that they wouldn’t see me in that manner. I didn’t have to, I just felt like it was my responsibility as a leader to not let them see me like that. It’s sad, but with cell phones now the first thing everyone does is record, record, record. She made a poor choice, alcohol has done it to all of us, but with any choice there’s either accolades or repercussions. Also, playing the race card and blaming YOUR short comings on racism only puts race relations back 50 years, I didn’t even know the lady was black until I read these comments and miraculously it didn’t change my thoughts on the topic one bit