I have had the honor and privilege to serve on our Town Council for the last nine months and have devoted significant hours to the position; way more than expected. There have been meetings regarding budgets, zoning, parks, street maintenance, development/ legal issues the Council is forbidden to discuss publicly due to executive session laws/restrictions.

Every council member contributes equity to our community to solve the issues; it’s unfortunate the public does not have all the facts in many cases. Some of those issues are financial dealings with declining state shared revenues and our need for increased revenues to make up for budget projected shortfalls.

All of your council is committed to solving these very serious issues.

It will not be easy or painless. Revenue options are a major topic for October.

Your Council will have many meetings that will discuss long-term options. As you may have read in the paper/social media, one of the potential options is investing in our downtown and creating a regional draw/amenity that our community can enjoy and that will attract paying visitors and will contribute to our sales tax revenues with a positive ROI goal.

The studies are not fully complete as of today. The entire community will have the final say as to whether an investment such as this is a correct option. There are other options. The onslaught of negative letters regarding the Crystal Lagoon concept is premature. Much of the information is not accurate that is spread in the paper/social media. Some appear coordinated and an attempt to spread lies/fears and misinformation on purpose; bullying.

Let’s have a respectful conversation and discuss revenue options truthfully, including an update on the Fountain Park concept. Please join me on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Community Center. Coffee will be served.