The Brownwood City Council dedicated the conference room at City Hall to former and longtime councilman Darrell E. Haynes.
Mayor Stephen Haynes, son to the former councilman, spoke during a short dedication ceremony held immediately following Tuesday’s city council.
“You know it’s sometimes easier for us to give great accolades to third parties than it is to family,” stated Mayor Haynes.
He further spoke of leadership, whether you are born with it or something which is taught. Mayor Haynes said that he learned leadership throughout his upbringing.
Mayor Haynes said that one of the reasons he moved his family back to Brownwood from Dallas a few years ago was that he did not feel he was able to make a difference or be the leader he desired to be in such a large area. He said that he felt that he was not making an impact in Dallas proper.
“I can’t think of a better compliment from a child to a parent to say than, ‘I want to live a lifestyle like you did. I want to raise my children in that type of upbringing and that type of community and be that type of person that’s a community minded person,’” said Mayor Haynes.
Mayor Haynes also commented on the time that his father served on the Brownwood City Council with former Mayor Bert V. Massey, II.
“I give great accolades to Bert and he deserves all of them,” Haynes said. “But Bert had a good right hand man for 27 years. When Bert was absent, dad served as mayor pro tiem.”
With pride in the years of service his father gave to the city, Mayor Haynes stated, “It is my great honor to officially dedicate the Darrell E. Haynes Conference Room. I am very proud to know that for generations, and certainly for years to come, that dad’s name will be associated with city hall.”
Former Councilman Haynes commented on the current council and the way they have met their budgets during a tough financial time, not raising taxes or cutting city services.
“Maybe you need to make a visit to Washington,” stated Haynes. “I commend each of you for the great job you have done. I don’t know how you have done it but you have and without tax increases and continuing all city services.”
Haynes said that he was honored by the dedication of the room in his honor.
“Thank you for the privilege and honor for naming this conference room in my name,” said Councilman Haynes.
According to City Manager Bobby Rountree, private donations have made this remodeling of the conference room possible.
“There were three contributors; the project was done with private money, through the generosity of Bostick’s, Brownwood Regional Medical Center and Big Country Ford,” said Rountree.
Pictured above are former councilman Haynes and Mayor Haynes. Below city council members congratulate former councilman Haynes at the conclusion of the dedication.
