Dear Editor,
I left the last two Fairfield City Council meetings saddened — not just because of the votes — but because of the discord at the council table.
There is no reason for elected officials to be rude and crude to staff and citizens. You can disagree without being disagreeable. I realize that not everyone at the table was rude. I talked to two people who had never attended council meetings before and who were dismayed at the discord.
As for the vote to throw the Chamber of Commerce under the bus, what is the plan to replace the activities they bring to our city. The timing was terrible and hurtful. There are more than 300 people who will be very disappointed with no Easter activities on the Square. What do we tell them? Money is more important than people? It is more than “a little Easter egg hunt.” There are so many special activities that day. We build good memories! It brings families together and life to our city. This change could have waited until after the planned event. Also, this event has already been budgeted and a lot of advance planning already done. It makes our city look foolish.
Brenda Pate, the Chamber Board, and the many volunteers have poured our hearts and hours into activities such as Easter, Christmas, Car Show, and on and on to make our town special. No one puts more effort into their job than Brenda because of her love of Fairfield.
“We must be good stewards,” one councilman said. Money is more important than our families? Really?
Another person said, “It is improper use of Hotel/Motel funds.”
Bringing business and life into the city is improper? Where are your priorities? Those who operate the hotels and motels are not ones who are complaining.
However, my main concern is the hurtful and rude remarks directed at people, whether citizens in the audience, presenters, or staff. There is no room for these attitudes in our City Council meetings.
Bettye Trask
Fairfield, Texas
