Round Top’s Darkest Hours

To the editor:

“Oh what tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” I’ve often wondered how many times Sir Walter Scott’s famous quotation from his 1808 poem “Marmion” have echoed the inner thoughts of men and women when they are still and allow their conscience to speak. Obviously, the message of Scott’s prophetic words conveys that once a lie or dishonesty begins, it perpetuates into a host of other complications that require further lies or dishonesty to maintain the original deception, bringing with it eventual calamity.

There’s been a lot of web weaving in the Town of Round Top over the past couple of years and it’s not local garden spiders building the webs. Most recently, Alderman Karen Duddlesten’s July 9, 2026 comments at the Fayette County Commissioner’s Court are more evidence of the condescending view that Mayor Vincent’s tenure has fostered toward the citizens of the greater Round Top area and some within the town limits. Alderman Duddlesten’s comments, “I’ve listened to a few tell outright lies at commissioner’s meetings and write letters to the newspaper about our mayor and town council,” were completely inappropriate of any public servant. It’s utterly disrespectful from the standpoint of an elected officer and a representative of the Town of Round Top to call Fayette County citizens liars. The citizens that spoke defending the preservation of the former Fayette County Precinct Courthouse in Round Top took the time to do so because the historic Round Top Courthouse is a cherished symbol of this community. Any option of possible demolition or significant change for that historic structure is inexcusable. Alderman Duddlesten continued at that meeting stating that she and the council “have been slowly working through the issues left by previous administrations.” To be clear, Mayor Vincent’s has been the most controversial administration in the history of Round Top, previous administrations pale in comparison, and none of them created the contentious atmosphere incubated by Mayor Vincent’s. Nearly every single historic institution in Round Top has been negatively impacted by Mayor Vincent, and Alderman Duddlesten has been in lockstep with her in the vote to do so. Alderman Duddlesten continues to believe that her few “one square mile” constituents are the only ones that matter in the greater Round Top community, which includes the area residents, the Round Top Rifle Hall, Festival Hill and generational families whose ancestors originally settled the area. Where is their voice, Alderman Duddlesten? The message is clear: that in your view they do not have a stake among what you consider the true stakeholders, the “one square mile” residents. Finally, Alderman Duddlesten, whose vote on July 2, 2026 initiated a lawsuit petition against Fayette County including three of the Commissioners, all of whom had just been served, when she stated, “All I ask is that we be treated fairly and with accurate facts rather than lies.” Alderman Duddlesten, Fayette County has treated the Town of Round Top quite fairly. Emphatically implying that Mayor Vincent and the town council are the caretakers of the facts, and concerned citizens are liars, is not only delusional, but evidence of a narrative going forth.

Speaking of facts, theTown of Round Top has successfully terminated the Round Top Do Your Duty Club’s sponsored Texas Historic Marker application with the Texas Historic Commission for the former Fayette County Precinct Courthouse in Round Top. The DYD Club followed the proper protocols receiving permission and signature from the owner, Fayette County, through the Fayette County Commissioner’s Court. The funds for the marker would have been paid in full through the generous donations by our community that have been raised by the ladies of the DYD through their bake sales etc. In this calculated strategy the Town of Round Top has continued the assault on the protections for the former Fayette County Precinct Courthouse in Round Top. However, when damage control was paramount, Mayor Vincent wrote a letter to the contrary. Round Top Mayor Judith Vincent’s letter to Judge Mueller dated Feb. 27 and read aloud in commissioner’s court that day, stated “Today we ask, and hope, that the county will maintain the status quo of the last four decades and allow the courthouse to continue to serve our community with town council meetings and other community uses.” She went on to say, “We welcome and applaud the well-deserved interest in the county seeking a historical designation for the Round Top Courthouse. Having started early planning for restoration ourselves, we understand the substantial work by the county that will be a prerequisite to obtain a historical designation. Your willingness to consider undertaking this significant effort and expense is greatly appreciated by the Town of Round Top and the surrounding community. We look forward to your success. Respectfully, Hon. Judith Vincent, Mayor”. Remember, this is an official business letter from Mayor Judith Vincent to Judge Mueller read in Fayette County Commissioner’s Court. This letter confirms Mayor Vincent’s acknowledgement of Fayette County’s ownership of the Round Top Precinct Courthouse and not only approves but is enthusiastic about Fayette County seeking a historic marker for the building. Former Round Top Alderman/Mayor Pro Tem Owen Massey who read Vincent’s letter in court (she was unable to attend), then stated “We’re not disputing the ownership of the courthouse. The town doesn’t own it. It’s the county’s courthouse. We look forward to the county seeking the historical designation” (FCR 03-04-2025) It appears that these “facts” are not the ones Mayor Vincent’s administration, including Alderman Duddlesten would care to revisit.

I believe the good people of Fayette County can see what has been going on in Round Top. This has been a battle from day one to save the Round Top Precinct Courthouse. Fayette County, the greater Round Top community, including citizens in the town limits, deserves better than this.