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Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
January 30, 2025
City council funds Christmas tree and lights, appoints marshal
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
In the wake of a grassroots movement that blocked the Bandera Economic Development Corporation from giving the city $60,000 to pay for a Christmas tree and lights, City Administrator Stan Farmer said all costs have been covered.
A citizen-led petition forced the hand of the EDC last week, preventing the release of funds. Farmer said $39,000 in donations and sponsorships, combined with a $22,000 budget transfer from an unused expenditure for council salaries, would pay for the decorations in full.
City Council Member Lynn Palmer said the EDC funding was intended to support the city’s plans to celebrate the Christmas season throughout Bandera, including light replacement at Heritage Park, light replacement at City Park, replacement of lights on the lamp post Christmas displays, the purchase of new lights and new displays for the trail of lights at the park, as well as help pay for Country Christmas in the City Park, a free community event.
“The resolution passed is to promote and decorate the city during the Christmas Season in a manner to attract the public and shoppers to businesses in the city,” Palmer said.
With the petition formally filed, the city has two options: to call a special election, or no longer pursue the funds from EDC. Farmer said council has not ruled out either, and would decide how to proceed at a future meeting.
In other business, Earl Heidelberg was appointed marshal during council’s regular meeting on Tuesday. Heidelberg was named interim marshal earlier this month, immediately after Nancy De Foster was removed from office. Farmer said council did not seek other applicants for the position.
Heidelberg has worked for the Marshal’s Office for more than 11 years, serving as deputy marshal, assistant city marshal, code enforcement officer and twice interim city marshal during his tenure.
A citizen-led petition forced the hand of the EDC last week, preventing the release of funds. Farmer said $39,000 in donations and sponsorships, combined with a $22,000 budget transfer from an unused expenditure for council salaries, would pay for the decorations in full.
City Council Member Lynn Palmer said the EDC funding was intended to support the city’s plans to celebrate the Christmas season throughout Bandera, including light replacement at Heritage Park, light replacement at City Park, replacement of lights on the lamp post Christmas displays, the purchase of new lights and new displays for the trail of lights at the park, as well as help pay for Country Christmas in the City Park, a free community event.
“The resolution passed is to promote and decorate the city during the Christmas Season in a manner to attract the public and shoppers to businesses in the city,” Palmer said.
With the petition formally filed, the city has two options: to call a special election, or no longer pursue the funds from EDC. Farmer said council has not ruled out either, and would decide how to proceed at a future meeting.
In other business, Earl Heidelberg was appointed marshal during council’s regular meeting on Tuesday. Heidelberg was named interim marshal earlier this month, immediately after Nancy De Foster was removed from office. Farmer said council did not seek other applicants for the position.
Heidelberg has worked for the Marshal’s Office for more than 11 years, serving as deputy marshal, assistant city marshal, code enforcement officer and twice interim city marshal during his tenure.