Wise words from the frontline – Council member speaks out

Kennedale City Council member, Frank Fernandez, is no stranger to be the other side of an issue. As he told the audience at the Monday meeting of the City Council, ?I have disagreed with them [the other council members] before and it is going to continue to be that way.? {{more:[Read more]}}

His most recent disagreement was when he was the lone vote against the new water/sewer rates. The new rates went into effect this past spring and have caused a firestorm that has not yet subsided and it has put the City Council on a lot of citizens? bad list.

Given that background, it was interesting what he told the crowd Monday night.

 

I have disagreed before … and its going to continue ...

?There have been some words that have been used out there, that are not nice. I have been thanked for voting no [on the water rate increase] so that is okay,” said Fernandez and he continued. “I have disagreed with them [the other members] in the past and it is going to continue to be that way. But at no point of time – I have been where you are, I have had petitions – but the point is that I always addressed the issue.?

 

always stick to the issue …

Looking at the crowd, he said, ?And always stick to the issue. You have a good point, there is no reason to call people by names like stupid, uncaring and corrupt.”

Fernandez went on to say, ?What I want to say is just because you disagree with something doesn?t make the people on the other side bad people. They do their best they can. I thought at the time, the best I could do was to vote no. That doesn?t mean that they [other council members] were corrupt, they really did what they thought was best.?

if you want to go toe to toe on the water issue, please do …

 

?Disagreement should not be the dehumanization of that individual. I ask you that if you want to go toe to toe with the water problem, please do so but don?t make it so personal, in which you are really cutting down those people … At this time you may not support them, but there will be other issues later than you will be glad that you have them up here,? Fernandez concluded.