By Megan Wehring
Kyle resident Abigail Silva started an online petition hoping the city council will reconsider their decision and rename Fajita Drive.
City council unanimously voted Aug.18 to rename Rebel Drive to Fajita Drive. It was a movement started by Mayor Travis Mitchell after Hays CISD voted to retire the Rebel mascot from Hays High School.
Fajita Drive was chosen in memory of Juan Antonio "Sonny" Falcón, credited with popularizing the fajita taco.
The online petition via change.org received 490 signatures just before noon on Thursday, addressing the community’s concerns of the newly named road. Silva said she believes Fajita Drive does not accurately fit the culture and diversity of the Kyle community.
“As a Kyle citizen and Hispanic woman, I do not take my pride in my community and culture solely through enchiladas, tacos, and especially, fajitas,” Silva states in the petition. “I do not think the renaming of Rebel Road, known for its connection to racial inequality, to Fajita Road is serving any meaningful purpose.”
During the Aug.18 meeting, Mitchell quickly opened and closed a public hearing for citizens to provide comments on the issue yet there were none who stepped up. Many citizens raised their concerns about the lack of public input before the city council vote.
Comments on the petition include the city council should be “getting some input from the citizens who pay the taxes” and “valued community input on the name change.”
Silva, along with fellow community members, hopes the petition will go before city council for a recall on the Fajita Drive name.
“This petition is to be sent to the City Council in hopes of renaming this heavily trafficked road to something that better reflects our community,” the petition states. “Make your voice heard!”
