Occasionally, the Hays Free Press gets unsigned letters to the editor. Despite printing our policy week after week that we will only run verified signed letters, some readers insist on sending in something signed “anonymous.”
One such letter arrived through the mail recently with no return address, so we couldn’t find out who the writer was.
The author said he/she wanted to submit an opinion in response to a column written about downtown music, bars and sound ordinances in Buda.
That particular column, an opinion piece, was written by George Changos (we accidentally labeled the column by Greg Chango and made the correction the following week.)
But, that is exactly what it was — an opinion. And, Mr. Changos had the guts to put his name to it. Yes, he named publicly elected officials whom he believed did not support the businesses of downtown Buda.
This anonymous writer, though, wanted his/her opinion to be published without a name or face.
It’s easy to make accusations if you don’t put your name on it.
That’s what bullies tend to do.
But to make a claim, be willing to put your name on it and publicly stand up for your principles — that takes guts.
The anonymous letter writer certainly didn’t like Changos’ opinion. This person said the referendum in downtown Buda was not about noise, but about the sale of alcohol.
We disagree. It is about businesses being able to keep their doors open. There were some restaurants in town long before liquor was allowed.
Several of them went under. It is only the very few which have strong breakfast and lunch businesses — and are run by families willing to do whatever it takes — that can stay open.
But you can’t have a vibrant downtown restaurant business that sells dinner fare without beer and wine at the very least. It just doesn’t work. Ask any successful restaurateur. Without the sale of liquor, residents drive into Austin or San Marcos. What does that do for Buda? It takes tax dollars out and runs property values down because buildings are vacant.
Basically, it hurts the downtown.
If you’re worried about whether Buda’s downtown is family friendly, don’t. There are restaurants open early and children are often seen in those establishments. But, by the time the music starts up, it is usually way past bedtime for these youngsters.
Let’s face it. Maybe it IS about the sale of liquor. And Mr./Mrs. Anonymous doesn’t like that Buda now allows the sale of alcohol. Maybe this person wants to go back to the good ol’ days — when storefronts in the downtowns of Buda and Kyle were boarded up, when tax dollars went elsewhere.
If we only knew who this person was, maybe a debate could ensue.
But, that’s not the case.
So we encourage you to write us to tell us what you think, share your opinions and begin a dialog in the community. But please, sign your letters.
Cyndy Slovak-Barton, Publisher
