Dear Editor:
I am heartened by the support from this community. Pride has been decades in the making by so many people from so many places who have sacrificed so much for our liberation. (Despite that, there is much work to be done!) Pride in this community would not have been possible without the work of Chris, Paul, Chef Alex and those who helped them years ago with events like Queeñata. I am happy to have seen Pride in its earliest iterations.
This is an inevitably incomplete list of the people who I couldn’t have down this without: Gene, Audrey, Hannah Gentiles, Ariana Vega, Shea Carley, Roy Davila Jr., Kendall Craig, Kirish, Mary Cantrell, Faith Gay, Tim Johnson, Fish, Syn, Poots, Jewels, Johnson, Benny, Gabriel Chavarría, Chef Jocelyn, Anthony DeSimone, Agustin, Lisa, Will FM, Becca, Art Blocks, the staffs of Cochineal, Planet Marfa, and The Pool. Special thanks is owed to Jam, Yayscience, Lindsay, Adam, and Colby for trusting me to produce this event.
Abby Boyd has been the greatest pusher, wisdom sharer, and beacon of light throughout this process. Coy has been a great confidante, realist, and such an awesome supporter. Angel’s wisdom and knowledge fundamentally shaped every aspect of this weekend.
I am overwhelmed, exhausted, but most importantly I am filled with so much awe, inspiration, and gratitude. Thank you for all the kind words that have been shared with me over the last couple of days. They have not gone unnoticed.
Here’s to our liberation, our love, and our community.
Cheers,
Prepney
Marfa
City council’s Rules of Decorum: Ensuring order and respect in public meetings
In August 2024, the current Alpine City Council adopted Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances, Article III, reestablishing Rules of Decorum to guide the conduct of both council members and audience participants during meetings. These rules aim to promote a respectful and orderly atmosphere in which city business can be conducted efficiently, free from unnecessary disruption, insults or disrespect.
The core of these rules is simple: council members, while the council is in session, must preserve order and decorum at all times. This includes refraining from conversation or other behavior that might delay or interrupt proceedings, disturb another speaker or disobey the orders of the presiding officer. The emphasis is on maintaining a professional and respectful environment, where all participants can express their views without fear of defamation, personal affronts or intimidation.
Crucially, the new rules prohibit demeaning any individual or group, including the council as a whole, and disallow any attacks on the honesty or integrity of council members or their proceedings. Insults, profanity, and threats of violence are explicitly banned, ensuring that both council members and audience participants can engage without fear of personal attacks or disruptive behavior.
The presiding officer has a significant responsibility in maintaining this decorum. If council members or audience members engage in unruly behavior, such as shouting, distracting side conversations or interrupting another speaker, the presiding officer has the authority to restore order. For council members, a point of order will be issued, followed by a vote, before they may be removed. In the case of audience members, the presiding officer can remove them without a vote.
However, these rules were recently tested. During a recent meeting, a council member accused the mayor (me) and fellow council members of “backroom deals” when it appeared the vote might not go in their favor. This statement, which questioned the honesty of the council, was a direct violation of the newly adopted ordinance. Despite this, no action was taken to remove the council member in question.
This incident raises concerns about the consistent enforcement of the council’s own rules. If the council is unwilling to apply these rules fairly, even to its own members, it undermines the credibility of the ordinance. The presiding officer has a clear duty to ensure these standards are upheld for everyone, council members included.
In the future, it is my hope that the city council will demonstrate the courage to enforce its own decorum rules, even if it means removing one of its own. By doing so, the council will show its commitment to upholding the integrity of public service and ensure that all members are held accountable under the same rules. This ordinance, if properly enforced, has the potential to elevate the quality of discourse in our public meetings, fostering a climate where differing opinions can be expressed respectfully and city business can be conducted without disruption.
The council’s willingness to enforce these rules will be key to maintaining the professionalism and integrity of future meetings. You can obtain a copy of the ordinance adopted in August of 2024 by reaching out to the City Secretary Geo Calderon.
Catherine Eaves
City of Alpine Mayor