In Monday night’s executive committee meeting, Milton council members unanimously rejected of a proposed public event due to its ‘redneck’ theme.
The issue was brought before the council during the Parks and Recreation Committee report, in which the council was reviewing seven submitted event applications for downtown Milton. Amongst the seven proposed events was a redneck themed car and boat show organized by Gulf Breeze resident Adam Guess and Mark Baker of Milton.
Each event application was reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Committee, prior to Monday night’s meeting.
Council member Ashley Lay said the event’s redneck theme went against the reputation of a family-friendly atmosphere presented in previous community events held in downtown Milton.
“I thought about this a lot and I talked with quite a few people,” Lay said. “The theme of this is a redneck car and boat show and I just do not feel that is in line with the reputation with that we built in downtown.”
Lay said the term ‘redneck’ implies “no rules” and “anything applies.” She also made reference to the Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade which was cancelled last year, due to issues of littering, vandalizing, vulgarity and fighting. According to a previous article in the Press Gazette, a representative from the Chumuckla Athletic Association, which organized the event, stated the Redneck Christmas Parade was initially created as a family event.
Fellow council member Mary Ellen Johnson, who also attended the committee meeting, agreed with Lay’s stance.
“I have gotten some feedback also about the name and it is not conducive to the climate of the citizens of Santa Rosa,” she said.
Adam Guess, who proposed the event, disagreed with the negative connotation presented by the council.
“Some people like the term redneck, some people don’t like the term redneck,” Guess said. “Personally, I have been called a redneck all my life…it’s a term I hold dear to my heart. I like being called that.”
Guess said also said he takes offense when someone says ‘redneck’ is a derogatory term.
This is the first time Guess and Baker have pursued organizing a redneck-themed car and boat show. Initially Guess requested a open container waiver for the event, however removed the request prior to the meeting.
In describing what he intended the show to be, Guess said the event would allow residents to submit their prized hunting vehicles, ‘rust bucket’ vehicles or classic cars. Guess said attendees would be able to vote on their favorite vehicle. The event would also have activities for children.
After much discussion, Lay didn’t change her stance on the issue.
“In another place, in East Milton in the arena or someplace like that, might be better fit,” Lay said. “In downtown Milton we trying to keep it classy.”
Several council members suggested renaming the event, however Lay said the redneck theme itself did not fit with the downtown area.
“I don’t think renaming the event will change things,” council member Jimmy Messick said.
The proposed redneck themed event also received opposition from attendees at the meeting. Reverend Fredrick Smith, who is the President of the Santa Rosa County NAACP, said “Where there is smoke, there is fire.”
“This is a community where people can come and enjoy with their families,” Smith said. “We don’t want it, we don’t condone it.”
Glen Hill, general manager with Blackwater Bistro, also voiced his opposition to the event’s theme.
“I am a huge proponent of having events downtown,” Hill said. “I think this probably an event that will grow to a large magnitude and that we should welcome, but I don’t think your connotation of that particular word is something we should welcome or invite back into the community because we have worked so diligently to overcome it.”
Al Brewton, a regular council meeting attendee, suggested the event be abolished altogether.
Messick made the motion to not approve the event application and the vote was unanimously passed by the council.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton Council rejects proposed event due to ‘redneck’ theme