"One Pearland"? Boycott Call Shows a Divided City

"One Pearland"? Boycott Call Shows a Divided CityA graphic going around online is asking people in Pearland to stop shopping at five local businesses until "our Mayor gets some respect." The graphic says city council members own these businesses: the Hampton Inn on Broadway, SpringHill Suites on 288, Koza's Inc., A & A Cleaning Services, and CopStop. The boycott call appears to have come from the Brazoria County NAACP. Wiltz says that in his first 90 days, the council changed or limited powers the mayor's office had held for almost 30 years, such as his role on regional boards. He says some of these changes were made without telling him or the public first.Leaders on both sides of the council fight say they're against the boycott. Former Mayor Kevin Cole, who served the city for 15 years, wrote that "a call for a boycott is not leadership." He said the businesses hire local people and pay taxes, and they shouldn't be dragged into politics. He also asked Mayor Wiltz to speak out against it in public. Council Member Clint Byrom agreed. He wrote that people "should not have to weigh serving their community against their livelihood" and asked Pearland to stay "One Pearland."Mayor Wiltz has now answered. He said he didn't know about the boycott, wasn't asked about it, and didn't take part in it. He wrote that he "cannot support targeting local businesses." He also said the frustration behind the boycott is real and shouldn't be ignored. Wiltz, Pearland's first Black mayor, said he'll meet with the NAACP and invite council members to join "to listen" and find solutions. Comments on the posts show residents are still split. Some thanked the leaders for defending local businesses. Others asked why a former mayor is still so involved, or why the council changed the mayor's powers. The question now is whether talking can bring the city back together.