City of DeSoto Councilmember Pierette Parker
While the DeSoto City Council voted 6–1 on June 17 to approve a $2.7 million purchase of the ThornTree Golf Club, Councilmember Pierette Parker stood alone in opposition — and is now publicly explaining why.
In a statement released June 22, Parker (Place 2) cited a lack of financial clarity, limited time to assess the proposal, and insufficient data as key reasons for her “no” vote on the high-profile acquisition.
“I fully support efforts to enhance DeSoto and create opportunities for our community,” Parker wrote. “I agree that ThornTree requires significant attention and care that a new owner could provide. However, the financial implications of this deal remain unclear to me.”
The council’s vote approved the formation of ThornTree Country Club Venture, LLC, and the assignment of a purchase and sale agreement between Thorn Tree Golf, LLC, and Russell Glen, LLC.
The deal covers approximately 157 acres at 825 W. Wintergreen Road and includes real estate, improvements, and personal property.
The goal, according to city leaders, is to revive a property that many residents described as once being the “gem of DeSoto.”
But Parker questioned whether the council had the full picture.
“Without a detailed breakdown of holding costs, potential returns, and funding sources, it was challenging to evaluate the viability and sustainability of this investment,” she stated.
Parker also raised concerns over the speed of the process, saying she was not given enough time or data to understand the long-term consequences of the deal fully.
“The limited time I had to process the information, combined with the absence of specific details, raised significant concerns that were vital to my decision-making process,” she wrote. “Therefore, without the necessary information and time to evaluate the financial, social, and logistical aspects of this real estate deal, I could not support it.”
Her statement concluded with a note on principle: “As a councilmember, it is my duty to ensure that any decision I make is based on comprehensive data and considers the overall impact on the community. Consequently, I ultimately voted no.”
Public Support Remains Strong
Despite the dissent, the broader community response has been largely positive. Nine residents submitted written comments in support of the purchase, and several spoke at the meeting in favor of the acquisition.
Longtime members of the ThornTree Golf Club described years of declining conditions under current ownership and said they welcomed the city’s involvement to reverse the trend.
“This was the gem of DeSoto,” said resident and homebuilder Jim Johnson during the meeting. “No other city around us has this possibility because they don’t have the land to build it.”
Others echoed the economic value of the club and the potential for increasing nearby property values.
The city now moves forward with finalizing the acquisition under the ThornTree Country Club Venture, LLC, with supporters viewing the purchase as both a historic opportunity and a strategic investment in DeSoto’s future.
Councilmember Parker, while in the minority, made clear her vote was not in opposition to community progress, but in favor of thoughtful, transparent decision-making.
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