Politics & Government

Vice Mayor Seeks Fashion Advice For Meeting

Ron Barnette sought counsel from his Facebook friends on what to wear at the upcoming city commission meeting. What did he decide?

The vice mayor sought advice from more than 600 of his most trusted Facebook friends on a rather important issue to Dunedin this week.

What should he wear to the April 5 city commission meeting?

“Should I wear my Dunedin City Tartan kilt and full dress when I read our City Proclamation for Tartan Day?” Ron Barnette wrote in a status update on Monday. “Please let me know!”

Find out what's happening in Dunedinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Tartan Day proclamation, read along with a proclamation for the Highland Games and Festival Week, signifies the start of a string Dunedin’s beloved Scottish heritage events and honors local cultural groups: the New World Celts and the Scottish-American Society.

Historically, National Tartan Day, which is celebrated April 6, recognizes the role of Scottish-Americans in the country’s development. The date commemorates the 1320 anniversary signing of Scotland’s Declaration of Arbroath, which proclaimed its sovereignty over English territories. 

Find out what's happening in Dunedinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Barnette, who boasts a mix of ethnic heritages including Scottish, Irish and Cherokee, has appeared at city meetings on occasion wearing his kilt, and once, even a pink streak in his trademark Rod Stewart-esque hairdo for Breast Cancer Awareness. 

Barnette's Facebook status update on Monday received 35 affirmative comments and 21 "likes." Here are some of the responses:

  • "Though I no longer live in Dunedin, I'll be disappointed if you don't."
  • "Absofreakinlutely!"
  • "I know of at least 200 people personally that would say yes."
  • "Absolutely but don't forget your underwear"

So what did Barnette decide? 

"It's a deal!!" he replied to his Facebook friends. "I'm attending our Thursday Commission meeting in my kilt...and proudly so."

("I do love my kilt," he later wrote to Dunedin Patch.)


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here