Oh, isn’t it just delightful how those oh-so-wise words we toss around like confetti have a remarkable talent for circling back and sinking their teeth into our proverbial posteriors?  Leaders must know that every quote and comment can suddenly boomerang back with the precision of a guided missile, leaving them with nothing but a bruised ego and a newfound appreciation for silence. Ah, the sweet symphony of irony, where every syllable becomes a potential landmine in the minefield of conversation.

Over and over in this election, we have heard about the “Turnover Rate” in the Frisco Fire Department.  We wanted to research it but without the data from the city, it is hard to tell how many good men and women have come and gone.  What we do know is what is being told to us by our city leaders, but we were curious why the numbers keep changing.  Angelia likes to throw out percentage rates when she talks, for example, the turnover rate in our FD is only 2%.   

We are curious if that is 2% compared to other departments in the city.  Is that 2% compared to other Fire Departments?  Is that 2% compared to some other data?  We don’t know!  Then we received a text from the Vote No PAC, you know the one that is run by active Councilman Bill Woodard. As we started reading through the text, we saw the words union, union, union which is an obvious attempt to create fear as we said in our last blog.  Then we get to the last sentence which states “Frisco Firefighters have a 1% turnover rate.  Don’t be misled by Union lies and fear tactics!”

First, who is trying to mislead us?  It is the city offering up different numbers to the same argument, not the firefighters.  It is the city offering up a playbook of confusion as they like to call it, not the firefighters.  We ask you, who do you believe?

We continued our journey going through weeks of material online that we could find when we came across this little nugget.  At the SLAN Community Forum, a firefighter asked our current council members, now that the firefighters have asked several times for a “meet & confer” when the last time or how many times have you visited or stopped by a fire station.  According to someone we emailed back and forth with who attended the event, they told us when the question was asked it changed the whole feeling in the ballroom, you heard a few oohs and aahs, and the audience waited on pins and needles for Keating and Pelham’s response.

Before we go any further, remember at the Frisco Chamber Forum Keating said true leaders admit to their mistakes (keep that in your back pocket).  Keating starts to answer the question and he tells a story about the FD saving someone’s life recently, and then he talks about how if they hold events sometimes, they drop off the leftover food at the closest station.   Then he said in the spirit of the question he would say probably…probably…probably (watch the video).  PROBABLY MR. KEATING?

Then he goes on to say what could I do better, and talks about grocery stores, and how we get people from other cities who love to come here and think it’s remarkable the community is behind them.  Keating continued to go on and it was painful for everyone, I am sure.  At some point all we heard was Blah, Blah, Blah, and after it was over realized that was the most painful yet comical 2:15 minutes to listen to.  To say Keating was anything other than a bumbling idiot would be a lie.

Next to the microphone was Angelia Pelham who quickly said she stopped by Station 6 to ask the question why they wanted to unionize.  She said she didn’t get a lot of responses because “PEOPLE WERE NOT VERY COMFORTABLE GIVING DETAILS.”  Well first, that is probably true since they don’t trust the leadership of which she is a part.  Second, THEY CAN’T TALK TO YOU IN UNIFORM MS. PELHAM ABOUT POLITICS, and you as a councilwoman should have known that.  Then her voice goes up a few octaves and in somewhat of a scolding manner she says I have talked to your brothers and sisters at Mochas and Javas or Starbucks across the street asking them when this is over how do we move forward.  Then she threatened to “IF I HAVE TO CALL THEM OUT I WILL” which immediately told me everything.  That is why the firefighters are afraid of retaliation for talking or using it against them when convenient for your political playbook. 

Here is what residents should be concerned about, first her arrogant and cocky attitude.  When you lose on May 4^th what happens on May 5^th?  Can you foresee the future Ms. Pelham until the polls close and votes are cast for you to assume they are going to lose makes an ass of you.  Then she says, “YOU WANT WHAT YOU WANT” and no one is willing to budge and someone in the room must be the adult to get past this.  Ms. Pelham, it sounds like you want what you want.  Do you even realize it came across as you were scolding a group of 15 to 20 grown men and woman firefighters in the open public of a ballroom shaking your hand or fist?  Lastly, you stated if you want to talk to me, I will meet with you at Mochas and Javas after you just threatened to call them out.  Why would anyone ever want to come to you?  Why would any of our first responders ever think they can trust you? 

In the race between Pelham and Redmond, we believe Redmond won the forum in one statement.

What our leaders need to remember is the practice of the “Golden Rule” which is treating others as you’d like to be treated.  It is a powerful tool for anyone seeking to understand the essence of empathetic and respectful interactions.  When you apply the principle, you pave the way for open, judgment-free communication, fostering a space where everyone feels valued and heard.  Right now, I don’t think the employees or the residents of this city feel they have conversations grounded in mutual understanding and kindness with any of our city leaders.  Now we will see if Pelham’s crystal ball works or if she will need to return it for a new one on Saturday, May 4^th.