Public outcry was raised after the recent renaming of Rebel Drive to Fajita Drive. Kyle City Council expressed their sentiments for the aftermath of the original vote in a special meeting Aug. 25.
While the Rebel sparked its own controversy, city council voted Aug.18 to rename the road to Fajita Drive per Mayor Travis Mitchell’s suggestion. Mitchell said the decision was meant to bring a more positive name to the road, rather than creating any disputes within the community.
“I felt that the entirety of the council had the best interests of the community at heart even if the action that we took was one where the public was just not on the same page as we were,” Mitchell said.
Frank Molina, Kyle area veteran, questioned the city council’s decision to name a road after a person that some residents may not recognize.
“Though the action on this council was done with good intentions, I feel it wasn’t thought out very well,” Molina said. “My only question was: Why does the name have to be changed to a person?”
Former Kyle resident Joseph Fenity also said the name change needed to undergo more critical thought if the road was to be named after a person.
“The proposal to change the word rebel to fajita is not just a costly inconvenience,” Fenity said. “It’s an insult to many people I know and love. There are many ways, so many ways to honor the late great Sonny Falcon. Fajita Drive is a joke and Kyle, Texas, is not.”
Council member Robert Rizo said despite initial excitement over any project, the council should address the public before making decisions that directly affect them.
“My excitement, without checking with the citizens to see if they were excited, has led us to where we are today right now.”
