A bit of background may be helpful here. The Fulton Band had long been scheduled to march in the Christmas parade. Subsequent to the Falcons’ championship win a number of well- intentioned supporters decided that having team members march in the parade would be an appropriate tribute. A social media campaign ensued on Wednesday with some making calls made to the radio station that sponsors the parade.

The folks at the radio station were understandably at somewhat of a loss to know exactly what was being asked of them and by whom. There was never any doubt that members of the football team could have marched behind a banner along with the band. The band was in the parade. No further request for participation had been made by the school or by officials with the football team. Meanwhile the social media campaign picked up lots of steam around the mistaken notion that the team, band, or both had been denied permission to march. Some folks then concluded that the station had acted inappropriately and directed anger toward the folks at the station.

Calls and emails began pouring into the mayor’s office. As Mayor Rogero became aware of the situation she asked that the Office of Special events find out what was going on and respectfully explore the situation with folks from the radio station. Judith Foltz with Special Events scheduled a meeting with radio station representatives for Thursday morning with the goal of looking for a solution that worked for all.

Meanwhile, early on Thursday the Fulton coach, just becoming aware of the movement, made it clear that there never had been a request from him or from the school for the football team to march in the Christmas parade. In fact he made it clear that they did not want to march because virtually everybody associated with Fulton athletics was planning on attending the Fulton – Austin East basketball game, an incredibly important rivalry heavily attended by supporters of both teams. This game was scheduled for the same night as the parade.

In fact the team and school preferred a celebration in the neighborhood at a later date in the manner that had become somewhat of a tradition – a neighborhood parade on Broadway near the school. With this knowledge, Mayor Rogero quickly made the situation clear to those who had emailed and posted and followed the situation on Facebook. By Thursday at noon the entire misunderstanding had run its course.

In conclusion this is an example of the downside of rapid email and social media communication that created somewhat of an uproar over what turned out to be some false assumptions and conclusions. The lesson for many of us is to take a deep breath and fully explore the underlying situation before taking any further steps. In this case the conclusion that Fulton was being denied the right to march in the parade for any reason turned out to be unfounded.

Thanks.

non impediti ratione cogitationis

In Della Volpe's defense, some of the questions he asks in Council meetings he already knows the answers to. He asks because he thinks the public should know as well. I did the same thing sometimes when I served on MPC.

He kind of overdoes it, tho. :)