Don’t Disagree!

By Ron West

Decorum is basically defined as polite behavior appropriate to the situation.

In the City of North Richland Hills, the Mayor has taken the liberty of adding his own interpretation of decorum. It is now basically defined as “Keep your mouth shut if you don’t agree with the council!”

Mayor Trevino has demonstrated a complete lack of self control as he has attacked several speakers after they have spoken – or attempted to speak – during the Citizen Presentations portion of the NRH Council Meetings. Although before the election, the tactic used by Mr. Trevino was to ignore all such comments, they now appear to be getting under his skin. He calls speakers liars, exhibits discourtesy, throws people out of the council meetings and denies the right to speak. Somehow, he seems to have elevated his position to that of a ruler rather than a Public Servant.

Awhile back, Star Telegram Columnist Dave Lieber suggested that we as citizens have the right to ask a bunch of questions. He went so far as to print a bunch of buttons for citizens to wear. He asserted that it was both a right and a responsibility of citizenship to ask questions of our local governmental officials.

Over recent years in NRH, the citizens and voters have basically been asleep. We are slowly waking up. While we were asleep, the local elected officials dramatically increased spending, taxes and fees. They attempted to take away property rights and the severely restrained business. The city was basically being reformed in the image of JoAnn Johnson. Contracts were let, deals were cut and no one questioned anything. As a result, we have a concrete plant on BISD land – without rent, a contract with the Mayor to rebuild Rufe Snow, businesses on Grapevine Highway that have to cut pole signs down because they do not meet Ms. Johnson’s idea of beauty, tax money diverted to the control of Mayor Trevino, Councilman Metts, Johnson, Welch, Whitson (and/or Lewis) from the TIF’s, bonds issued without voter approval and ever increasing taxes.

This must be the desire of some of our citizens but somehow, I doubt that the actions truly represent the views of the “silent” majority.

Now we have the old guard on the Council calling for class warfare between our Senior & Disabled Citizens verses citizens under the age of 65. The first shots were fired after the election when the council was effectively forced to talk about the possibility of a tax freeze. Let me be very clear – a tax freeze for our Seniors and Disabled does not give them a free ride. They continue to pay taxes at the same rate as they are paying when they reach age 65. The Council is simply denied the right to INCREASE their taxes after age 65 for city property taxes. There is NO COST to the city only a denial of spending of future tax increases on this part of our society. Remember also, that the vast majority of our Seniors continue to pay school taxes – forever – even though they have no children in school.

The issue of the Freeze is really about controlling runaway spending by our NRH City Council. When you try to restrict their spending habits, they really squawk.

Whether you agree or disagree with this short article, I encourage you to exercise your right to speak before our local officials. If you agree with them, they will be courteous – if you don’t – just remember that the Mayor is showing his true colors during his venomous attacks. Be silent no longer!

See more on the recent actions of the NRH City Council at: http://www.localnewsonly.com/01newlno/nrh/04_07_18decorum.htm