The City of Early City Council, in session Tuesday night, listened to comments from citizens concerned about government overreach.  Spokesman for the citizens, Rusty Howell, had previously requested that the City of Early consider passing a resolution making Early a constitutional city.

The request for a resolution has also been made to Brown County Commissioners and Brownwood City Council.  County Commissioners have been the only elected body to pass the Resolution.

“It simply means two things.  It tells the citizens that they can trust their elected leaders to stand behind the constitution and protect all of our constitutional rights, number one.  Number two, it tells the rest of the world that we’re completely aware of our rights.  We’re also fully understanding what’s going on external and that we’re unified in our actions to mitigate any government overreach,” Howell said.

After giving Howell and a husband and wife time to speak to the Council, Early Mayor, Dr. Robert Mangrum, read the following response to the request.

“Your requested resolution from the Early City Council is not appropriate for the City Council to consider as it intends to elevate the City Council to the level of a Court at Law.  The City Council is not, and has never been, endowed with judicial powers as to determine the constitutionality of federal or state laws.  The Council members and myself have taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the U.S. and the State of Texas.  That includes the enforcement and observance of all the law, not just those laws that we think are constitutional.  We are not given that option anymore than a policeman has the power to determine what laws they are to enforce.  In our system of government such power is found only in the Federal and State courts.  If one believes themselves injured by a law they must seek redress in the courts.”

Councilman Leland Acker also addressed the crowd.

“When it comes to constitutional rights and, more importantly, the unalienable rights that have been given to us by God, among those are the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, I want to assure each and every one of you that this Council approaches every decision we make, whether we are voting on a sewer line, or whether we’re voting on a city ordinance, that those three unalienable rights are always at the heart of what we do,” Acker said.  He said he appreciated the citizens for attending and appreciate them standing up for liberty.

The Council then moved on to other business on their agenda.

• The Council voted to appoint Scott Bird and Dr. James Finch to the Planning & Zoning Commission and Missy Ryan to the Municipal Development District Board.
• The Council approved a consulting agreement with Legacy Lakes and Land for the Early Town Center pond project.  The consulting fee not to exceed $5,000.
• After a brief 10 minute Executive Session, the Council returned to Open Session and voted to approve proceeding with Right-of-Way acquisition at 106 1/2 Early Blvd. for the Early Town Center project.
• In his  Administrator’s Report, Tony Aaron told the Council that Early has received formal notice that they have been approved for a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant totaling $50,000 which will be used to build two fishing piers at the Early Town Center pond project.
• As we reported in separate stories, the Oath of Office and Oath of Honor were administered to the new Early Code Enforcement Officer, Mason Fabbiani and new Early Police Officer, Taylor Fletcher.
• The City of Early Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 30.