This is interesting. As readers know, initially the Somervell County Hospital District board dba Glen Rose Medical Center decided to move their meetings to 12:00 noon and at the same time to have the taxpayers pick up lunch for them. Background links
Somervell County Hospital District Moochers Eat at Board Meetings on YOUR dime
That brings us to the meeting I just attended and recorded July 30, 2024. It is my understanding the that board members contact Sharla Wilson to ask how many people will attend and then purchase, without reimbursement and at their own expense, lunch. It is not clear whether they are also including the hospital employees that show up as well, but probably. When I have been there, I have been offered lunch as well, which, because I think it’s extremely rude to eat at public board meetings,
Now, breaking this down with some pics. First, after it came out that they were eating on the public’s dime, they stopped doing it. But they must have still wanted to eat at the board meetings, so they arranged for the board members to split the cost of meals between themselves. For Tuesday, it appears that maybe the board decided (and they must have received some criticism) to try not to eat at the meetings but still get the food and then eat it afterwards. That’s with the exception of Dr Vacek, who chowed down before the meeting-did he wash his hands after?
Not everyone is eating in the *cheap* seats but possibly Tracy (board member) paid for the meals of some).
Here is video after the meeting adjourned. They were apparently waiting for the meeting to end to go for the chow. So it’s pretty clear that they do not want to be recorded eating that food but are trying to snarf it down when the meeting ends.
I do not, obviously, think there should be food at government meetings. Since apparently the board members are sharing duties to bring food each meeting, how is it that know how much food to buy? They would have to contact SOMEBODY to try to guess that. Does the estimate include the hospital people who attend? Suppose a whole bunch of the public showed up, say 15-20 people, as might happen at a tax hearing. I doubt there would be enough food for them all so maybe just try to sneak the food in after the meeting after attendees leave?
Here is email from Tracy Byers asking Sharla Wilson about where lunch wraps were purchased from as it is his turn to supply lunch
Also, I did not hear any board motion to agree that the board members would alternate paying for the food. Maybe I’m wrong. What meeting was that at in case someone wants to tell me. Will they now alter the requirements for someone to serve on the board to include “Must supply lunch at own expense every once in a while”.
This is just flat selfish and weird.
