Councilmember Tony Battle expressed hope during Feb. 11’s Bandera City Council meeting that the EDC would recognize Cowboy Christmas’ value and consider investing in it later this year.
“I hope the EDC saw the impact that the Christmas in the Park brought to our community. It was extremely well supported by the business owners and a great economic driver for our city,” Battle said.
The statement came during Feb. 11’s city council meeting during which the city voted to rescind a petition requesting funds from the EDC after a $39,000 donation from local businesses covered the late 2024 purchases of a tree, tunnel and replacement lights.
“In my opinion, there is no better use of the EDC’s funds than an event like this,” he said. “Despite the difference of opinion on how these funds were allocated, I hope the EDC will consider funding this event in the future.”
Mayor Denise Griffin stated she did not believe members of the EDC were behind the petition, though Councilmember Brett Hicks believed the petition stemmed from a few EDC members and a handful of residents who “rallied and went door to door with half-truths.”
“Members of the EDC initially approved the spend and then later signed a petition against it,” Hicks went on to say. “The city council elected to move forward with the expenditures after the EDC approved the funds almost unanimously. We couldn’t have envisioned that several EDC members would change their minds within a couple of weeks and sign and get behind a petition against the Christmas lights event. If we had known about any serious concerns beforehand, we would not have moved forward with the spend.”
Councilmember Lynn Palmer stated that the event was an opportunity to boost the city’s economy and said the city’s actions regarding the matter had been transparent and public.
EDC President Deanna McCabe declined the Bulletin’s request for comment.
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