Let me first say that we are not opposed to the officials’ decision to build a civic center, just its location of choice. The majority of us were even in favor when we first heard of the plans. However, that was when the plan was to build behind the current City Hall.

We do understand the growth of our small community (all too well) and realize that the increase in employees at City Hall is a given. What we are concerned and opposed to is the use of land that was donated to the inhabitants of Brentwood to be used specifically as a “public park perpetually and forever.” Our beautiful and historic City Park (all original 2.93 acres of it) should remain a park.

We do take offense to you calling our efforts “misguided.” It is our democratic right to question what our officials do and how they go about doing it. We have tried to get answers to our questions for over a year now from our city officials about how they were able to legally rezone the park, to no avail. We have spoken out at several city council meetings and were just ignored. We have requested copies of all documents pertaining to this issue with no document appearing proving they have a legal right to build upon the park.

And it is our constitutional right to question what appear to be ethical violations of the law and trampling on the rights of us citizens that want answers and the entire park to remain a park. If this has been legally taken care of and in the proper way, we would love to see the proof; otherwise, there just may be some malfeasance (your word) being done by these two council members and the mayor.

Yes, recalling a government official is a very serious undertaking and believe me, we wish we didn’t have to proceed. However, when these same officials refuse to explain, talk to us and/or provide proof that what they are doing is legal – what else can we do?

For your information, a third Notice of Intent will be issued (if at first you don’t succeed in the red-tape of the legal system – try, try again). Unfortunately, on the second notice, some of the addresses had changed due the housing situation and registration update cards had not been sent in.

Our City Council needs to be held accountable for its actions. And its lack of communication proves that it does not care what any of us think or want for our community. Therefore it is its lack of cooperation and continuous story changing (and downright lies) that forces us to continue …

I find it unusual that the editorial in the Oct. 30 Brentwood Press was unsigned. Does this mean that this editorial is the stance the Brentwood Press is taking? If it is, I find that very sad, but it also explains why the Press refused to print my last two letters to the editor. Isn’t a newspaper supposed to remain unbiased? I guess the author(s) wanted to remain anonymous. Why is that? And yes, democracy is what our country runs on – but it just takes a little longer to achieve results for those of us who do not have the funds for attorney fees.

It was hilarious to read the editorial where it states that City Park will be bigger. Don’t you remember that the city rezoned the park to a new “downtown (mixed-use) district”? There is no such thing as our city park anymore. The city can now cement over whatever it wants (even the remaining grass area). I would also like to see the proof that it will be bigger (without counting in a parking lot); the recent plans do not prove it.

During a recent council meeting, Councilman Stonebarger asked if the grass ratio would be the same after City Hall was built. He was told yes, it would even be a little larger and that if it weren’t, then construction would stop and plans would be redone so that it would be. Well, the most recent plans I have prove that the park will be smaller. But wait – construction is still going on?

Please also remember per your article that Erick Stonebarger did get more votes than Brockman. End of story – no other votes matter. I know numbers can say anything the author intends them to. Councilman Stonebarger and Councilman Richey have continuously voted against the Civic Center project, selling bonds, re-phasing, library re-location/renovations and a few other areas in the past year.

This project has never been a unanimous decision within our city council – nor is it within our community. It is time those three (Taylor, Becnel and Brockman) realize they can’t keep sweeping us under the carpet.