A proclamation for Councilor Tonya Briggs
One year since her passing
I’ve been out of town for the last few weeks, which has put me behind on my reports. A proclamation in the City Council agenda packet for September 17th spurred me to get back on track.
Councilor Briggs passed away unexpectedly on September 16, 2023, at 44.
Tonya and her husband Doug ran a local plumbing business, Around the Clog. You might have interacted with her if you are interested in animal welfare and local animal rescue groups. Your paths might have crossed at school events or dance classes with their daughters’, Bailey, Haddie, and Finley. Perhaps you knew her due to your involvement in anti-fracking actions. If you had an issue that required reaching out to the city council you would have received a call or email from her. She took on many causes with passion and dedication.
I got to know her after she was elected to the city council and I became a fan.
At the September 19, 2023 council meeting the majority of business was canceled to allow for recognition of Councilor Briggs. I went to speak. Here’s what I said.
Good evening,
What does one say at a time like this? Finding the right words seems impossible. We have lost someone very special way too soon. I watched Tonya grow into a fine city councilor because her heart and her humanity came through in everything she did. I remember when she cried during a workshop discussion about helping the community deal with covid. I remember when she broke down as she backed off her work to stop pet stores selling puppies after she listened to the breeders who came to speak. She told them through sobs that she heard them. It takes a special kind of person to make that adjustment in the moment. She took everything to heart, the phrase wearing your heart on your sleeve could have been written about her.
She cared deeply about this community and did her very best to represent us all. Out of all the councilors I have seen over the years Tonya was the one who most closely shared my views about so many issues, especially when it came to animals. I didn’t need to contact her to make my case on anything, she was already making the same case on her own.
In fact the last time we spoke was after your September 5th meeting when I talked about bringing back the parade. She called me and said she and Doug were just talking about a parade for Lafayette. They had marched in the Louisville parade and she wanted our community to enjoy the same experience. She wanted details of how it used to be done. She said she had planned to bring it up in a future budget discussion. We talked about it being planned by some of our art committees with members of the public involved and making it a cultural celebration too. It would be a great way to honor her memory and her fun-loving side if we could indeed fulfill her wish for a parade and make sure it had lots of animals including pigs of course, and perhaps led by some of our local young dancers, especially her daughters.
My heart goes out to her family and friends and I thank them for sharing her with the rest of us over the last few years while juggling family responsibilities, running a successful business, and fostering a never-ending procession of animals.
I am sure I am echoing the thoughts of many others when I say my heart is broken. She will be missed. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to get to know what a caring and thoughtful person she was.
Thank you
THE COUNCIL PROCLAMATION
PROCLAMATION
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF TONYA BRIGGS MARCH 2, 1979 – SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
WHEREAS, Tonya Jo Briggs was born on March 2, 1979, and passed away on September 16, 2023, at the age of 44; and
WHEREAS, Tonya was elected to the Lafayette City Council for a two-year term in November of 2019 and re-elected to City Council in 2021 for a four-year term; and
WHEREAS, over her two consecutive terms, Tonya served as the Council liaison to the Human Rights Commission, Lafayette Open Space Advisory Committee, Historic Preservation Board, Waste Reduction Advisory Board, and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport Community Noise Roundtable; and
WHEREAS, Tonya lived in Boulder County for most of her life and was a fixture in Lafayette for more than 14 year and, alongside her husband, ran a local family plumbing business for roughly 12 years, playing a pivotal role in helping residents navigate through the 2013 flood; and
WHEREAS, Tonya served her City through its first ever global pandemic, national social unrest, and a catastrophic cyberattack; and
WHEREAS, Tonya left a lasting impression on our community through her selflessness, determination, and devotion to improving the lives of all living creatures; and
WHEREAS, serving in public office is both an honor and deep commitment for those who serve and their families. This kind, compassionate, and dedicated member of our community made contributions that will be remembered for years to come; and
WHEREAS, Tonya will always be sorely missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire us all to live from our hearts.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Lafayette, Colorado, do hereby honor the life and service of Tonya Briggs and encourage all residents to renew their inspiration by supporting the Good Life Rescue and Mother Gaia Rescue, wearing purple – Tonya’s favorite color – and dancing as if nobody is watching!
We have not had a sitting councilor pass away in recent memory. There have been council discussions about creating a memorial in her honor but as of yet I have not heard of any plans. I hope we will hear an update at the council meeting on the one-year anniversary of her passing. I’ll be sure to let you know if that happens.
Want to offer more support? Awesome!
RIP Tonya. We sure could use your passionate humanity now. We will always miss and remember you.