Letter to the Editor – Town Council Member Reeves’ dark thoughts at the 21 July Town Council Meeting
Dear Editor,
The most recent Yountville Town Council meeting was remarkable following Councilmember Reeves’ opening statement. Speaking for more than 15 minutes at the meeting’s outset, she spoke of her view of the Town Council’s (TC) achievements, followed by a scathing critique of her TC colleague, electing not to identify that individual by name.
Below are several direct quotations from Councilmember Reeves’ comments. These comments are not taken out of context but capture the words and tone of her screed.
“A majority of the council members on this dais are committed to the democratic process… I am saddened that one councilmember decided to go out of the democratic process armed with suspicions and incomplete information to seek some sort of vindication.
“These actions effectively negated all discussions… and robbed the community of an open discussion while costing the town hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“Choosing to leave the democratic process has weakened trust and created upheaval and division in town.”
Throughout her presentation, Ms. Reeves decried “those who have been so aggressive in faulting town action,” and “impugning the council’s intelligence and integrity.” She accused her TC co-member of “fulminating personal grievances” and “innuendo based on personal agenda.” Ms. Reeves characterized this “an end run to manufacture division at election time.”
One might reasonably ask why the vice mayor choose these words, at this time, from the bully pulpit of the Town Council. Perhaps Ms. Reeves can enlighten us.
Further, she spoke of “the creation of an alternative or shadow community designed to destroy the existing structure of the community and split the town.”
There should be little question of how this Town Council member views the recent dialog following the referendum on the Commons project.
It is indeed a dark day, uncannily resembling those of McCarthy when our government officials seek character assassination of one of their, and our own. To her credit and reflecting the best of us, Councilmember Trippe addressed numerous of Reeves’ accusations; Ms Trippe’s responses can be summed by her reminder of the rights of free speech and expression.
While Councilmember Reeves is not among TC members standing for election this November, it is time for Councilmembers Knight, McKee and Mayor Mohler, who chose to remain silent, to speak clearly of their views regarding Ms Reeves’ comments.
Stephen Becker
Yountville
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