McKinney Recall Is Making Noise Online. City Hall Was a Different Story

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

McKINNEY, Texas — McKinney’s recall organizers and supporters have maintained a steady online push through posts, videos and calls for residents to get involved. Inside City Hall Tuesday night, the showing was more mixed.

Recall supporters came to make their case, but so did opponents. Among speakers who clearly took a position, opponents outnumbered supporters, and numerous seats in the council chamber remained open.

The recall targets Mayor Bill Cox and council members Ernest Lynch, Geré Feltus and Justin Beller.

A broader case, but the original fight remains

Recall supporters used Tuesday’s meeting to argue that the campaign goes beyond the Islamic center site-plan vote, pointing instead to concerns about the airport, amphitheater, traffic and public safety.

Ashley Marie, one of the recall effort’s most visible supporters, made that case directly.

“We said no to the airport and the amphitheater. We asked for more public safety and real solutions to traffic,” Marie told council. “A recall is the lawful way to hold elected officials accountable.”

Kyle Sims, however, questioned how the campaign had evolved.

“When I was first approached about this recall, it was about the mosque,” Sims said. “And then it turned into a no confidence recall pretty quick.”

Sims said he had concerns with some council decisions but questioned whether recall organizers had done their “due diligence,” saying he did not know of anyone involved in the effort who had sat down with council members and asked questions.

And despite the broader case being made for the recall, the mosque and Islam remained prominent in some supporters’ remarks Tuesday.

Luis Maldonado, a vocal recall supporter, opened by addressing council as the “tyrants of McKinney City Council” and later called the recall “the roadmap to taking back our cities.”

Eddie Isa, another supporter of the recall effort, spent much of his remarks discussing Islam and Sharia law. He also invoked the Department of Justice.

“Second warning, if you guys keep letting this grow, we’re going to bring the DOJ after every single one of you,” Isa said.

As Isa walked away from the podium, he raised his middle finger toward the council. He was then escorted out, and the meeting went into a brief recess.

Intimidation claims continue

Recall organizers have said intimidation is discouraging residents from signing. The Dallas Express reported that materials provided by the recall committee showed some residents were concerned about their names becoming public or feared consequences for signing.

The outlet reported that the committee’s own summary said the materials did not establish coordination, actual retaliation or a crime, and did not provide a complete count of residents affected.

Recall supporters have also said the matter was referred to the Department of Justice. TX3DNews asked organizers for details and contacted the DOJ to determine whether a complaint was received or an investigation is underway. Neither has responded.

Opponents make their case

Recall opponents also had a visible presence Tuesday. Angie Bado called the effort “manufactured outrage, division, and a culture war,” while Carolyn Berry, a 48-year McKinney resident, simply said, “I’m against the recall.” Larry Pereira and Kelly Roberts also opposed the effort.

Among speakers who clearly took a position, opponents outnumbered supporters. Others spoke about the mosque controversy and broader political divide without taking a position on the recall.

U.S. Rep. Keith Self, who has said he would sign the recall petition, and state Rep. Keresa Richardson, who urged council to reject the Islamic center site plan, were absent Tuesday. Neither attended the Aug. 18 meeting.

Public comment is not an opinion poll, but the strong recall presence seen online was less apparent inside City Hall Tuesday.

Fuller urges some signers to withdraw

Former Mayor George Fuller posted an affidavit Wednesday that residents can use to withdraw their names from the petitions. Fuller said he had heard from people who believed signing the recall would help stop the mosque expansion or commercial passenger service at McKinney National Airport.

“I’ve heard from people who were told signing the recall petition would help stop the mosque expansion or commercial passenger service,” Fuller wrote. “Neither is true.”

TX3DNews has not independently verified what those petition signers were told.

Where the recall stands

Whether the recall reaches voters will come down to the petitions, not turnout at a council meeting.

Organizers have not announced an updated signature count. The last publicly reported figure was about 1,500, with 5,805 valid signatures required by 5 p.m. Sept. 26.

With opponents now encouraging some residents to withdraw their names, the final count will determine whether a recall election moves forward.