Rodney Pat Ramsey was a no-show at last night’s GOP Women forum.

The Waxahachie Daily Light lit him up for it (see story below).

But I just have to tell the reading public that you haven’t seen anything yet. Just wait until The Ellis County Press hits stands tomorrow. Just wait. Those who got ticked at Ramsey being a no-show (and yet said nothing when Grubbs skipped the Feb. 9 forum in Midlothian) last night will be happy to know that the WDL’s little puppet prosecutor is the most disgusting piece of garbage in elected office that we have here in Ellis County.

[Notice] Ramsey was not in the building at all last night. Right before the forum began, I called his wife, who relayed the information that Ramsey was sick. I’m kinda glad he didn’t show up. The questions the WDL asked candidates were deliberately concocted to try to destroy his credibility. But that’s ok. After this week’s issue anyone caught with a Joe Grubbs sign ought to have the sex offenders we’re plastering on our front page move right next to them.

Grubbs takes stage alone as Ramsey ducks forum

By JOANN LIVINGSTON
Daily Light Managing Editor
Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 2:42 PM CST
Although reportedly present in the hallway just minutes before Monday night’s Republican candidate forum, Rodney Ramsey failed to appear in front of the packed room.

Despite several calls for Ramsey to step to the microphone, the Waxahachie-based defense attorney with 18 months of experience chose not to plea his case in a public forum as to why he should be the next county and district attorney in charge of a multi-million dollar budget and 35-employee department.

No explanation was offered during the forum as to Ramsey’s absence as neither retained nor appointed representative made any statement on his behalf, with the record remaining silent as to his intent.

Instead, 15-year incumbent Ellis County and District Attorney Joe Grubbs stood before an audience of more than 200 voters on hand at the Waxahachie Civic Center as well as the KBEC listening audience to once again close his case.

It was in 1996 when then police officer Ramsey was arrested on a drug-related felony charge, the circumstances of which he has described in previous interviews with the Daily Light as “trying to help a friend” and as “unfounded.”

According to a transcript from a public hearing held in November 2000 in 40th District Court, Ramsey voluntarily entered into a plea agreement with Grubbs’ office for deferred adjudication, surrendering his peace officer’s license and pleading guilty to a class A misdemeanor charge of abuse of official capacity.

Ramsey successfully completed his probation and graduated from law school in December 2005. He received his license to practice law in August 2006 and subsequently sought to have his records sealed from public view. The 10th Court of Appeals in Waco, however, recently returned a decision that keeps those court documents a part of the public record. The Daily Light has received several hundreds of pages so far under the Open Records Act relating to the case, including investigative reports and statements from several law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Rangers.

In Monday night’s forum, Grubbs discussed his qualifications and experience – including expertise in both criminal and civil matters that has come from doing “the job every day for the last 15 years.”

Grubbs received his law degree in November 1972 from Baylor University – and has practiced law since.

“I’ve tried numerous criminal and civil trials here and in other counties,” he said, noting those have included both bench and jury trials.

Grubbs has been assigned as a special prosecutor and is licensed to practice in front of the U.S. Federal District Court and before the U.S. Supreme Court.

“This race is about qualifications and experience,” said Grubbs, who also praised his office’s attorneys and staff for the service they provide the community.

“I believe I have an excellent office. I’m proud of that office and the quality of those employees,” he said, noting his office’s priority is that of “the health and safety of the citizens of Ellis County.”

Prior to being elected county and district attorney, Grubbs’ public service includes serving as county judge, county court at law judge and mayor of Waxahachie, along with membership on numerous committees and boards.

E-mail JoAnn at joann@wninews.com