What’s all the stink about ink?

I have for a long time been a wearer of tattoos. I wear my tattoos with pride, as each stands for a particular time in my life.

I have encountered many people of many varied opinions on the subject of tattoos. There are people dead set against tattoos. There are the "live and let live" variety of folk who don't mind tattoos even if body art is not for them personally. There are some who are scared to venture into the tattoo world. There are some who are covered and happy to share their tattoo bio.

My tattooed years surpass the number of years I went untattooed. While I am certainly no tattoo aficionado, I always welcome questions and try to answer honestly; but, the answers are subject to personal experience, just as opinions vary on a person-to-person basis.

I have had people ask me the obvious tattoo questions, to which I have given obvious tattoo replies.

"Did it hurt?"

Some more than others.

"How much does something like that cost?"

More than my first car!

"How long did that take?"

Nine hours (on just my half sleeve).

I have even been asked if someone could touch my tattoo, to keep the ojo away, after a long discussion about the meaning of my beautiful tree. I have even agreed to a pic, for use on a local woman's Twitter and blog.

Of course. Why not?

What I have never experienced is the so-called negativity that is said to be out there about tattoos and tattooed people. I have never had someone scold me or say anything nasty about my body art. It's mine after all. What purpose would it serve for someone to be ugly about it? It's color and so far as I know it has never separated from my person and violated anyone.

I wear T-shirts and tank tops all summer long. I dress well – most times. I do my hair and makeup – most days. It is likely if one didn't see my tattoos, they would probably never imagine that I'd be one to have a tattoo – much less six.

The week I was hired for my job I had pink hair. My employers saw past my hair and my tattoos and put stock in what mattered: my ability to report the news. Another never for me: My personal affection for brightly-colored hair and elaborate tattoos has never once stopped me from reporting the news. I have never shirked any duty. I attend every local event I can, sometimes working seven days a week – even if it is just for a few hours a day to cover weekend events. Guess what – I love my job and will work hard for my employers whether I have six tattoos or 18 (like my sister who is an HR manager and at her job for as many years as she has tattoos).

So now we get down to the meat of this column. I have a beef. Our city council just approved amendments to the city's personnel manual, that I feel are a direct violation of the rights of our hard-working city employees.

They have imposed an amendment that even the armed forces of these United States are not held to. They have been told to cover their tattoos or lose their jobs.

It has been said that there is a public concern surrounding city employees and visible tattoos. Why? Does a TCLEOSE certified officer of the law – who has been tested, and passed background checks, toxicology tests, physical examinations and psychological evaluations – lose his ability to effectively police just because he is tattooed? Can a tattooed employee not put out a fire, mow grass, filter water, or do any other job for this city just as effectively as a non-tattooed employee? Does wearing body art in itself make one a threat to society? The simple answer is NO.

So now our city employees – who do an amazing job of making Gonzales a beautiful place to live – have to cover their visible tattoos. Can you imagine working in these high Texas temperatures wearing long sleeves? I can just see some of our hard-working city employees overheating. And why? Because someone was offended that they have body art.

There is so much more going on in this city than tattoos and pink hair. You can look at the smoke and mirrors but I will be watching the city coffers. Our city is admittedly up to its “tuchas” in alligators and rather than have all eyes on the prior transfers of money that have put the city into yet another debt obligation situation – having to borrow $1.7 million in certificates of obligation and collect a 3.6 cent ad valorum tax from taxpayers to repair the hydroelectric dam and dam facilities – they want you to see the smoke and mirrors.

I wonder how many of these local decision makers have tattoos. They must, right? Because only the tattooed and people with unnatural hair colors are negligent and unable to perform their primary job functions, right?