McKinney Council Responds to Mosque Vote Recall Effort

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

McKINNEY, Texas — After nearly two hours of public comment Tuesday night, McKinney City Council members had their own response to the controversy and recall effort that have followed them for the past two weeks.

Some pushed back on what has been said about them. Others talked about the effect it has had on them personally and why they continue to serve.

Feltus Addresses Self and Richardson

Councilwoman Dr. Geré Feltus, one of four officials named in the recall affidavit, turned part of her remarks toward elected officials who she said understood the legal implications of the mosque case.

“Instead of seeking true solutions, you threw a bomb into this room and walked out, leaving nothing but destruction behind you,” Feltus said. “And when the cameras left, you left this council and this community to pick up the pieces.”

“Leadership is not measured by how loudly you speak into a microphone when the cameras are rolling,” she continued. “Leadership is measured by what you are willing to do when there is no camera, when the work is difficult, when the law complicates the politics, and when solving the problem matters more than receiving the credit.”

Feltus then made clear who she was addressing.

“Congressman Keith Self and Representative Keresa Richardson, the people of McKinney deserved better,” she said.

Feltus did not directly mention the recall effort, but made clear she plans to remain in her seat.

“I do not know what happens from here, and nor do I worry about that,” she said. “What I could not live with is looking back on my time in this chair and knowing that when my community needed someone to stand up for the law, I chose to bend to political pressures of the minority.”

Feltus then pointed to the remainder of her term, “which will be until May of 2029,” and pledged to continue serving the entire city, following the law and defending the Constitution.

She then turned to McKinney’s Muslim community.

“You sat through a lot of hateful speech,” Feltus said. “I hope that you feel the warmth and welcome of the true McKinney tonight. Thank you for coming back.”

When Feltus finished, people in the chamber rose for a standing ovation.

Beller Turns to Social Media

Councilman Justin Beller, also named in the recall affidavit, warned about misinformation and social media rewarding anger and fear.

“We see these want to be influencers, or maybe even a politician, distort our lived realities for their personal gain,” Beller said.

But Beller spent much of his remarks talking about generations of residents who shaped McKinney and the welcome he received when he arrived.

“It’s my job to be welcoming to others,” he said.

“I hope you see that I don’t sensationalize things to get attention. I don’t lie to you to get you on my side, and I’ve put in the work for this community since I got here.”

Beller became choked up at times and noted that his daughter was in the chamber watching.

He ended with a message to residents: “Be a good neighbor to others. Know your neighbors. Serve your community. Be gentle to each other.”

Franklin Defends His Colleagues

Mayor Pro Tem Rick Franklin, a McKinney resident for 63 years, said he began looking at some of the people making hateful comments about the council after the previous meeting.

“I started looking at them,” Franklin said. “I don’t know these people. I have no connection with these people.”

“I not only took it personally, I took it personally for my fellow council members because they have to endure this,” he said.

Franklin said he is nearing the end of his term, while some of his colleagues recently fought to win their seats and are now facing an effort to remove them.

“We’re going to take that away from you because you didn’t break the law,” Franklin said. “That’s unfair. That’s unfair to everybody up here. It’s unfair to the citizens of McKinney. And it’s just wrong.”

He ended by thanking Tuesday’s crowd for “making me feel warm again.”

Councilman Patrick Cloutier said the past two weeks left him asking, “Man, is this worth it?” But after reflecting on his years of service, he added, “If it ends tomorrow for me, man, I’m glad I did it.”

Councilman Michael Jones disputed claims about his record and said social media can make a small number of people appear much larger than they are.

“It means a lot that you showed up tonight because you are real,” Jones said. “You’re here in person.”

Councilman Ernest Lynch, who is named in the recall affidavit, kept his remarks brief and thanked residents for coming and sharing their views.

Mayor Bill Cox closed by calling the past two meetings “a tale of two extremes.”

Cox also singled out Feltus.

“When you speak from the heart, the room stops,” Cox told her. “We listen to you.”

Recall Effort Continues

The recall effort remains underway. Tuesday’s meeting gave council members a chance to respond publicly after two weeks of criticism, political pressure and debate over the mosque vote.