Poteet, Texas has historically been known as “The Strawberry Capital of Texas,” but for the past year the small farming town has become even more famous for having a known sex-offender as its mayor. Diminishes the quaint charm a bit, we’d say. In October of 2007 Mayor Lino Donato pled guilty to several counts of indecent exposure to children, but the verdict led to probation, not a conviction, and the Mayor managed to keep his position until just last night. According to state law, he can only be removed for incompetence, official misconduct (e.g. accepting a bribe) or intoxication. Child molesting, it seems, is not legal grounds for dismissal.
Watch what some Poteet residents have to say, after the jump:

The city even reelected the registered sex offender after his arrest last year for indecent exposure, as he won the May ‘08 election with 62% of the vote. Despite that seeming evidence for his popularity, many town residents have been doing their utmost to kick him out of office.

The moral brigade had their victory last night, when, amidst new charges of sexual assault, Donato was taken into custody and dismissed from his position. The funny part is that he was formally dismissed for “missing meetings.”

Donato’s conviction and subsequent sex offender registration prevented him from attending council meetings as Poteet’s City Hall is located within 1,000 feet of a place where children regularly assemble.

Way to get him on a technicality, Poteet. The new charges against Donato allege that he molested an under-14 girl just this past August (seriously, dude? when you’re already under investigation?) , so hopefully Poteet-ians are good and done trying to reelect this perv.

Ken Rodriguez: Poteet powerless to drive sex offender from mayor post [Express News San Antonio]

Indictments say Poteet mayor fondled young girl [Express News San Antonio]