GUN BARREL CITY – The Gun Barrel City website now contains a statement forbidding the use of discriminatory language in City Council meetings by citizens, council members, city staff, and appointed board and commission members.

The statement reads, “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.”

Mayor Jim Braswell told reporters during a Chamber of Commerce bus trip to Austin for Legislative Day that the city posted the statement to prevent anyone from uttering embarrassing remarks such as one made by an Economic Development Corp. officer recently. He cited a statement made by ECD Vice President Rob Rea during the January council meeting.

During the Jan. 27 council meeting EDC Vice President Rob Rea’s language startled council members and a standing room only audience gathered to hear a discussion about the development of a farmers market in Gun Barrel City. Rea  referred to “Mexicans with station wagons with watermelons” in response to Goss’ suggestion that the city host a weekly farmers market on the City Hall parking lot every Saturday instead of establishing one at the site of the old City Hall building across the street.

After the city posted the statement on the website, Rea issued a statement that Braswell released to the media. The statement read, “At a Gun Barrel City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 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.”

Gun Barrel City Secretary Christy Eckerman said the video of the Jan. 27 meeting is uploaded to the website at gunbarrelcity.net, but the minutes will not be posted until the council approves them at the next meeting. 

Gun Barrel City Councilwoman Carol Calkins and Mayor Jim Braswell at the Doubletree Hotel in Austin during the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Day trip.