Minutes from the Bates County Commission meeting June 17, 2026
The Bates County Commission met with Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson. Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley was absent, attending the Data Center Seminar in Jefferson City.
Gayle Beachner presented a letter she personally wrote to the Commission that demanded John immediately cease and desist from engaging in any harassing behavior towards her. She stated that Johns actions have been causing her significant emotional stress and interfering with her ability to live her life and conduct her business. She claimed that his behavior constitutes harassment, intimidation and coercion and is a violation of the law. She claimed that John had made statements to others about her and informed the Commission that on June 6th, 2026, John had sent her a message that was meant for intimidation and harassment due to the comments that Gayle had made on social media regarding his actions dealing with the Solar Farm development. She stated that John sent her a bold comment with a link to an article published in the Chicago Tribune about Gayle, thirty-three years ago, and asked, “Would this make a good share?”
Gayle then paused and explained the article. She stated that this article was written about her approximately thirty-five years ago. She went on to explain that her family and herself were being stalked for months but that had all ended on a Friday night in April when the person came into her bedroom door with a knife. “I attempted to shoot him, it misfired. He stopped and laughed and said, ‘What are you going to do? Shoot me?’” She said that she backed up into the corner and had only shot this gun once, as it was her dad’s double barreled shot gun, and wasn’t even sure it worked. “I’m thinking maybe its loose, and I broke it open, closed it, and luckily I pulled the other trigger” explained Gayle. She then went on to explain, “The highway patrol commander came to my house that night and sat down and said, ‘We’re going to take this over because the guy you shot was a nephew of the county sheriff and he can’t handle this’, but he did handle it because he called his brother from the state of California, a cop out there who was the father of the guy I shot, and they did the investigation. My own attorney, who had just handled my divorce, prosecuted me. I got ran through her system, went to prison, and Governor Carnahan released me in February of 98. That’s the article. I’m not ashamed of it. Lots of national media picked up on it, TV shows and magazines and stuff, so you know that doesn’t concern me. It concerns me that he’s using it against me.” She stated that the unnamed individual died the Saturday or Sunday after he was shot.
As she went on with her letter, she addressed messages that were exchanged that mentioned other individuals that had been vocal about their feelings and how John sent this article to Ron Brown of Amsterdam this morning, June 17th, 2026. Gayle stated that she feels this is an act of retaliation and it has created a fear within her that other retaliation may be orchestrated by John that could lead to physical harm being done through speech to her and her family. She stated if John doesn’t immediately cease and desists from these activities, she will take legal action that may include seeking an injunction to prohibit further harassment, as well as damage for any harm caused by his actions.
Once she was done reading her letter, she pointed out that none of this had to happen, followed by a long pause in the room. She followed up by mentioning, “a big part of me wants to request his immediate removal, but I think the County may need him. That’s all up for debate, still. He’s done a lot of good for the County, but in his elected position, he cannot retaliate against anybody speaking out against him. It’s illegal, straight up illegal, unconstitutional. I wish Jim had been here.”
Gayle asked Trent what he thought but Trent was unsure of what to say or how to handle it, stating that he had never dealt with something like this before. He asked Gayle if the comments that had been made were to stop, she’d be okay and all would be done, but she felt as if there needed to be an apology made since she received a call stating that they had just received the article from John. She felt that was retaliation and stated that he can’t retaliate against the whole county because they’re pissed off at him.
She explained that John and herself had a lengthy Facebook conversation a few nights ago and he had spoken against Brent Bettels leaving her feeling like he had it out for Brent. Gayle stated, “I’ve sent that over to Brent, he’s got something up his sleeve because apparently John’s got other things going to try and cause him problems.”
Gayle feels as if this never had to happen.
Trent was trying to find a middle ground to work this out but was unsure of the legal way to deal with this. Gayle then went on to say, “The legal part is, as an elected official, you cannot retaliate against what anybody says about you or your actions. He retaliated when he first messaged me, but I’m like okay he’s mad, but now that he’s sending it to people, he’s crossed a whole different line here and he’s not decent enough to sit here and acknowledge it. He’s sitting there playing on his phone, probably sending it out to a bunch of other people. I am leaving this office and I’m filing charges. I have been by several news outlets on the way here, giving copies. This isn’t just going to fade away unless he’ll make it fade away.” Trent asked her if an apology from John would make it better, but she stated that she wants it to be a public apology, as she felt one behind closed doors would mean nothing. Trent then told her that her best move might be to seek legal advice, but he was not sure about what to do. She asked Trent if he could ask John to speak so Trent asked if John had any comments he wanted to make. John’s comment was, “I have no response to lies.” Gayle then stated, “I have all the messages, John!” to which he reminded her that he does, too.
Gayle wants something from the Commission “shutting him up” or “throwing him off, then he can talk. I guess.” Trent felt that Jim would know more about what to do. Gayle asked if Trent could call him. Trent explained that he was in a meeting in Jefferson City and would not be available to answer his phone, at this time. Trent asked John what he wanted to do and John stated there is nothing to do and Gayle chimed in saying, “but to sit over there and smile.” Followed by a long stretch of silence.
Gayle then states, “Well, I’ve informed the Commission, so I will make a call, but anything done by him moving forward will fall on the Commission because everyone is aware.” Trent assured her that he would make sure Jim gets the letter she wrote to the Commission.
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