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January 10, 2025
Petition circulating to protest payment for Christmas lights
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
In protest of a Bandera Economic Development Corporation reimbursement to the city for its new Christmas tree and lights, a group of citizens is circulating a petition that could delay the process.
Last October, Bandera City Council members approved the $58,640 purchase of a 26-foot commercial Christmas tree and a 50-foot tunnel of lights for City Park. The expenditure was expected to be covered by the EDC in the form of a reimbursement, however a grassroots movement by some citizens who object to that payment has developed.
“The EDC is here to bring more business and funds to Bandera…I believe our funds have been used and continue to be used as a continuation of the city budget, as a bonus fund…,” Darcy Hasty, a former city council and EDC member, said. “It’s not transparent. They’re not supposed to spend money and say, ‘we’ll figure out how to pay for it later.’ That’s not how government is supposed to work.”
Prior to spending any amount in excess of $5,000, the EDC is required to carry out certain statutory obligations, which include a public notice and hearing. If 10 percent of registered voters object within 60 days of the first notice of publication, a special election could be called. Currently, the city has 752 registered voters, which means the petition would need 76 signatures by Jan. 25 to pause the release of funds.
“On behalf of the council, they really were thinking of the kids. I understand that,” city resident Rilla Stephens said. “But I don’t call this economic development. It feels like we’re being railroaded.”
EDC Board President DeAnna McCabe said she was advised by legal council that the EDC could fund a project if it promoted Bandera or expanded business, and would bring people into the city. She said it was her understanding the lights were something to be built on, and $60,000 seemed reasonable, considering expenses in years past to set up and break down Christmas lights in City Park reached $20,000 or more.
“The idea was to bring more people into the city,” McCabe said, adding she initially approved the expenditure, but changed her vote to nay in a following meeting when the item came back for reconsideration.
“This is a five-minute drive-thru,” Hasty said. “People aren’t going to eat here or shop in stores that are closed when the [Christmas] lights are on.”
Bandera EDC Board Member Tom McEachin said he was concerned about the short two-month time frame to get the tree and tunnel delivered, but voted to approve the project.
“In the last few years, I’ve been disappointed with Christmas lights in this community, so here was a plan to get it started in a very big way, and it would grow,” McEachin said, adding the mandated 60-day waiting period was a cushion for the city to act how they saw fit.
As a contingency plan, city treasurer Allyson Wright was directed by council to create a line item for the expense in the city’s budget. Numerous sponsors have contributed to the effort, as well.
“I think we as an EDC have something to learn from this,” EDC Board Member Andrea Jankoski, who voted against the funding, said. “We rely on [citizens] to hold us accountable. The city council should rely on [citizens] to hold them accountable. These are your tax dollars.”
As of Dec. 17, Misty Dietrich said the petition had about half the signatures needed. Hasty said she was personally reaching out to city residents on the matter.
The petition is available at the Bandera General Store.
Last October, Bandera City Council members approved the $58,640 purchase of a 26-foot commercial Christmas tree and a 50-foot tunnel of lights for City Park. The expenditure was expected to be covered by the EDC in the form of a reimbursement, however a grassroots movement by some citizens who object to that payment has developed.
“The EDC is here to bring more business and funds to Bandera…I believe our funds have been used and continue to be used as a continuation of the city budget, as a bonus fund…,” Darcy Hasty, a former city council and EDC member, said. “It’s not transparent. They’re not supposed to spend money and say, ‘we’ll figure out how to pay for it later.’ That’s not how government is supposed to work.”
Prior to spending any amount in excess of $5,000, the EDC is required to carry out certain statutory obligations, which include a public notice and hearing. If 10 percent of registered voters object within 60 days of the first notice of publication, a special election could be called. Currently, the city has 752 registered voters, which means the petition would need 76 signatures by Jan. 25 to pause the release of funds.
“On behalf of the council, they really were thinking of the kids. I understand that,” city resident Rilla Stephens said. “But I don’t call this economic development. It feels like we’re being railroaded.”
EDC Board President DeAnna McCabe said she was advised by legal council that the EDC could fund a project if it promoted Bandera or expanded business, and would bring people into the city. She said it was her understanding the lights were something to be built on, and $60,000 seemed reasonable, considering expenses in years past to set up and break down Christmas lights in City Park reached $20,000 or more.
“The idea was to bring more people into the city,” McCabe said, adding she initially approved the expenditure, but changed her vote to nay in a following meeting when the item came back for reconsideration.
“This is a five-minute drive-thru,” Hasty said. “People aren’t going to eat here or shop in stores that are closed when the [Christmas] lights are on.”
Bandera EDC Board Member Tom McEachin said he was concerned about the short two-month time frame to get the tree and tunnel delivered, but voted to approve the project.
“In the last few years, I’ve been disappointed with Christmas lights in this community, so here was a plan to get it started in a very big way, and it would grow,” McEachin said, adding the mandated 60-day waiting period was a cushion for the city to act how they saw fit.
As a contingency plan, city treasurer Allyson Wright was directed by council to create a line item for the expense in the city’s budget. Numerous sponsors have contributed to the effort, as well.
“I think we as an EDC have something to learn from this,” EDC Board Member Andrea Jankoski, who voted against the funding, said. “We rely on [citizens] to hold us accountable. The city council should rely on [citizens] to hold them accountable. These are your tax dollars.”
As of Dec. 17, Misty Dietrich said the petition had about half the signatures needed. Hasty said she was personally reaching out to city residents on the matter.
The petition is available at the Bandera General Store.