Pardon My Criticisms

In last week’s column in this space I criticized the local elected officials for not attending public functions. I was called down for my criticism and rightly so.

I talked to Councilwoman Katherine Alexander at the fun day for the Dixie Darlings. She was there showing support, and I was remiss not to mention her. I do apologize.

I also mentioned that I don’t see many of the officials at the Market Festival on the Square weekly, but said I’m not there all day every Saturday. I go most Saturdays, but not every, and it lasts nearly four hours a week. I spend too much time there sometimes, but never four hours.

I am not a morning person; I cannot give you a clue as to who is there when it opens. I’m rarely there before 11 a.m. And, because I talk so much, I’m usually there while they’re taking down the market. If I arrived at 10 a.m., I’d probably still be yakking at noon, so that’s my excuse for not coming earlier!

Mayor Pro Tem Russell Gross took offense at my “broad brush criticism” of elected officials and said he is at the market every Saturday that he is in town. I apologize to Mr. Gross if he thinks I wrongly criticized him. I said then the same as I just said. I am not there always, and I’m sure the vendors on the Square are aware of his support.

I have not been very supportive of the Market lately. I was out of town two Saturdays in a row, then last week, I just never made it up there. But, Hannah did, thank goodness, so we got pork skins and pickled okra and fresh flowers!

It’s a great time on Saturday morning…if you haven’t made it up there yet, you should definitely make it a point to visit. Maybe I’ll see you there.