Residents split at Forney council public comment over library, YMCA and locker-room policies

Public comment featured both advocates who urged the council to let voters decide and residents who said the council should postpone the ballot until it has firm terms.

Florelia Escamilla, a longtime library advocate, told the council Forney has been without a public library "for nearly 7 years" and urged the council to "give the citizens of Forney the opportunity to decide." Joshua Mounce echoed that view, saying placing the item on the ballot would force staff to compile the necessary information. By contrast, resident Nofel Molai said the council lacks key facts — no finalized YMCA agreement, unclear YMCA contribution and no final operating-cost numbers — and asked council to table the item until the fundamentals were completed.

Resident Pam Reid read aloud portions of YMCA locker-room guidelines and expressed concern about gender/locker-room policies should the YMCA operate part of the facility. Reid read: "All members and guests have the right to use the locker room facilities that correspond with their gender presentation... If any member feel guest feels uncomfortable using the traditional locker room, they're welcome to use the universal locker room." The council thanked speakers and proceeded to a motion and vote to place the proposition on the November ballot.