Eroding Traditions: DYD Fundraising Gutted By Town of Round Top
Since 1935, the Round Top Do Your Duty (DYD) organization has raised money to maintain and improve the Town Square in Round Top. In its early days, the DYD painted the Town Hall building, planted shrubs around its perimeter, paved sidewalks, and maintained the surrounding streets. They also organized fundraising events, such as bazaars, bingo and picnics to help fund maintenance and improvement projects, which took some of the burden of those costs off of taxpayers.
Furthermore, the Town of Round Top and the DYD have an active lease agreement that allows the DYD to to raise funds to help in the upkeep, preservation and beautification of the Town of Round Top, which benefits residents.
Key provisions of the lease are: 1. DYD is allowed to use the Town Square during biannual antique shows.
2. During those shows, the DYD rents the Town Square to tenants and vendors, which generates revenue.
3. The DYD uses that revenue to help fund upkeep, preservation and beautification of the town, such as maintenance of the Town Courthouse and remodeling of the bathrooms on the Town Square, and remodeling the fire station.
4. The lease agreement doesn’t expire until 2034, and has multiple 10-year extension options. The parties intended for this lease to be in place for a long time, however, standard language allows either party to terminate with 90 days notice.
During the 2022 Fall Antique Show, this tradition was abandoned. According to the DYD, someone from the Round Top government informed DYD’s tenants and vendors that they needed to relocate. This action was taken without Council approval, without discussion with DYD and without allowing voters to voice their concerns.
Why is Round Top abandoning the DYD lease without a vote? The Mayor and the Town Council have plans to “renovate” the town square, which will occupy the area previously used by DYD.
Former Town leadership expected that the DYD would be allowed to continue their tradition of community service and fundraising for upkeep, preservation and beautification for years to come.
It should be noted that the Mayor and members of the Town Council have lived in Round Top less than 10 years, and yet seem to be on a path to end an agreement with an organization that has been in place for 87 years.
Maybe most concerning is that we are beginning to lose the fabric of the community that makes Round Top quite special.
Is it possible that the traditions established by our predecessors may be tossed aside in favor of a more commercialized Round Top?
What do you think?
Bone is the former mayor of Round Top.