DESOTO – Former City Councilmember Kay Brown Patrick opened citizen comments with her thoughts about council discourse: “After the election, I really felt that the lack of unity and un-organization is the reason we have racism, fascism and authoritarianism that is going to be walking around the White House and to watch my own council continuously perpetuate that own discord. Then I saw conveniently there is an item on the [upcoming] agenda about council internal conflicts and dynamics. I have worked closely with council and local governments, and I have never seen the need for an agenda item to discuss internal conflict and dynamics among council members.”

Jerry Ravenel spoke next, thanking the city council for the Civic Academy Program they put together recently to help residents understand what city leaders and staff do. He thanked the staff and directors and said he could tell they took pride in making sure “the residents of this city were engaged; they had interactive discussions and were able to ask questions they felt needed to be asked.” Ravenel finished by saying that he was not aware of “the things this city has going for it, and it made me even prouder to be a resident.”

DESOTO, Texas  – The ceremonial ribbon has been cut and the first bite taken! On Tuesday, May 14, DeSoto Area Chamber of Commerce, along with Mayor Rachel Proctor, members of the City Council and other city officials, attended a privately held Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the new Chick-Fil-A here in DeSoto. Owners, James and Susie Pruitt, met each of us with the smiles and warm welcome that has become a hallmark of the company.