This evening (Dec. 12) the Fort Worth City Council voted 6 to 3 to eliminate the name of Jefferson Davis Park, changing the name using classical doublespeak to Parque Unidad/Unity Park. As to what unity or whose unity one can only surmise. Certainly not the unity of a broad public consensus. The sole dissenting votes were by City Councilmen Byrd, Jordan and Moon. As with all the official acts to erase Confederate history, here too, the process was rushed to avoid any possibility of broad public debate: "The [Parks & Recreation] Board asked that the item be presented for consideration and action at their October 25, 2017 meeting. By virtue of this request the Board chose to waive the Park Facility and Naming Policy notice and publication period from 90 days to one month in order to expedite submittal of the Board's recommendation to the City Council." Why the sense of urgency? Councilman Byrd courageously introduced a motion to continue the process to January 23 to allow for sufficient study and discussion of the issue. His motion was rejected 6 to 3. Councilwoman Ann Zadeh of District 9 was the lead antagonist to remove the Jefferson Davis Park name with Councilwoman Gyna Bivens of District 5 commenting that, "to not do it tonight [vote to eliminate the name of Jefferson Davis] might invite trouble down the road." What kind of trouble could she be referring to? Perhaps the trouble of achieving a broad and fair public consensus? Prior to the City Council meeting tonight I introduced written citizens input which was presented to all council members in advance which read as follows: "I am Past Texas Commander of MOLLUS, the organization of descendants of Union officers. There were significant Hispanic heroes on both sides of the war. I propose calling the park "Jefferson Davis-Hispanic Civil War Heroes Park." I will pledge $100 for an historical marker if this name is adopted." This proposal would more accurately reflect a sense of true unity in this largely Hispanic neighborhood. Not surprisingly, my proposal was not even mentioned. Perhaps that's the kind of "trouble down the road" Councilwoman Bivens was referring to. All the more reason to support a Monuments Protection Act in Texas!