The Value of Public Records: Setting the record straight (kind of) on who spent taxpayer dollars like it was their own coin purse (and who lied about it)

Ah, the November meeting recap—where the now-infamous Holiday Lights saga (lovingly dubbed the Hometown Scandal) was unveiled. It was a dazzling display of backroom decisions, made outside public meetings, without full board knowledge, and involving, of course, taxpayer money. Operator Makenzi even gave credit where (she thought) it was due, saying Hanoi Avila had “reached out to let us know to go ahead and get on the books with somebody.” A bold move, indeed.

Fast forward to December, where Hanoi changed his tune. Denying any involvement in the mysterious scope creep or the proposal selection, he asked for proof of his alleged unilateral actions. Enter the November meeting timestamp: 1:14:48. That’s where Makenzi, with a smile, cheerfully tossed Hanoi under the proverbial sleigh, claiming he was the one who got the project rolling.

What’s a humble purveyor of truth to do? Simple: dig for the receipts. That’s why public information laws exist—to unravel mysteries like this one. And what those records revealed was both illuminating and concerning.

Spoiler alert: The records tell a different story. Enter Beth Jones.

In an email dated November 11, 2024, Beth instructed Operator Makenzi to push forward on the Christmas lighting project. Curiously, this email was not included in Beth’s response to my public information request. Instead, it came from the operator herself. When pressed, Beth doubled down, claiming in a January 6, 2025 email that her only contribution was suggesting a discount since she’d “heard” Volente Hills wasn’t joining the festivities on the MUD’s dime. Classic deflection. And let’s not overlook her willingness to let Hanoi take the fall for her actions. Nice work, Beth!

Still skeptical? Watch Beth’s demeanor in the November meeting video when Makenzi spins her tale, conveniently defaming Hanoi. It’s nothing short of a masterclass in misdirection.

But wait, the plot thickens. Who instructed only two of the three vendors to include Beth Jones’s section and Volente Hills in their proposals? And who told the highest bidder to exclude Volente Hills after all, because they were handling their own display?

Public records are a beautiful thing. Not only do they expose the truth, but they also unveil the intricate choreography of denials, finger-pointing, and last-minute pivots. So, as we await the next chapter of this illuminating saga, remember: when in doubt, get the records.