This is the first time I have written a letter to the editor; however, with recent events and decisions by the Lampasas City Council I feel it necessary to speak my mind.

I have been a peace officer and firefighter for over 30 years. During this time, I have worked with city councils that have been really good, and some that have not. It is up to each of us as citizens to determine if our city government is making the decisions for our community that we think are right, and if they don't we need to speak out. This is the reason for this letter.

I started having serious concerns when the Lampasas City Council decided to build a civic center next to the springs on Hackberry. I believe this is a poor decision, and now that it is going to be an openair pavilion, that is even worse. An open-air pavilion is just going to invite criminal mischief, vandalism and misuse of the facility.

I can't help but believe there are other reasons why the City Council wants the civic center there. If they think it is going to bring business to downtown, I don't think it is going to happen. If this is coming from Vision Downtown Lampasas!, then the vision needs to get its eyes checked.

If this is not bad enough. I read that the city of Lampasas is going to cut a police officer position because of budget shortfalls next year. I guarantee that if you watch the budget, they will add positions in other city departments, probably the Parks Department to clean up the vandalism that is going to occur at the pavilion that another officer on the street might have prevented. If a law enforcement position is cut, the city will not be eligible to get any grants for a new officer anytime soon.

It is up to us as citizens to dictate to our city government what our priorities are in the city. It is not the job of our City Council to dictate to the citizens of Lampasas what the priorities of our city are. Every person on the City Council is our representative. If they do not represent us the way we want, we have the right to change them. The only way the City Council knows our wishes is if we let them know. Call them, write them or do whatever it takes to get their attention.

Wesley Alexander