By Michael V. Hannigan
Public comments made last week by Gun Barrel City EDC Vice President Rob Rea have raised eyebrows around Cedar Creek Lake.
The comments came during a discussion with Gun Barrel City council members about the possible creation of a farmers market in the city. Specifically Rea was contrasting two different plans when he said he didn’t want the market to look like “a bunch of tents, a bunch of Mexicans with station wagons and watermelons.”
Several readers contacted Henderson County Now calling the comment racist.
In response to a request from HCN, Gun Barrel City posted the following statement on its Facebook page Tuesday morning:
“Citizens, employees and appointed board members of Gun Barrel City have the opportunity to speak to the City Council in an open meeting. At times, statements may be made by those individuals that the City of Gun Barrel City does not agree with or condone. Any views or opinions made by any citizen, appointed board member, employee or official of Gun Barrel City toward any person or group based upon the person or group’s race, color, gender or creed do not represent the views and opinions of Gun Barrel City and will not be tolerated.”
Rea released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:
“At a Gun Barrel City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 27, I made a comment that I deeply regret making. I am very passionate about bringing a farmers market to Gun Barrel City. And that passion led me to use a phrase which could be seen as insensitive. However, there are those that attributed other remarks to me that I simply did not make. I urge all to read the minutes or watch the video of that meeting before judging myself or my comments. I sincerely apologize if I offended anyone. My record of charitable deeds and passion to serve the people (all people) of Gun Barrel City will continue to be the definition of who I am.”
You can find a video of the council meeting here.
Rea was arguing for developing the farmers market by using $20,000 of Economic Development Corporation money to construct semi-permanent structures on the site of the old city hall. The EDC is required to get approval from the City Council before it can spend money.
The other possibility that has been discussed is to use the current City Hall parking lot and tents for the farmers market.