Council confirms Benedict Parks to civil service commission after heated debate and public support

The Irving City Council confirmed the appointment of Benedict Parks to the Firefighters and Police Officers Civil Service Commission by a 5–4 vote on July 31, after public speakers voiced support and the nominee responded to accusations aired at earlier meetings.

Several residents spoke in favor of Parks, including Sharon Barbosa, who called for restoring respectful process and warned against public disparagement of nominees, and Eileen Parks, who described her son’s long record of community service and volunteer work. Michael McPhail also spoke in favor and warned that public smear campaigns discourage civic participation.

Benedict Parks addressed accusations from previous meetings, said he visited a councilmember’s home at that councilmember’s invitation and described the interaction as positive, and said he had asked the council via email on July 16 for evidence supporting public accusations; he said he had received no evidence by the time of the meeting and asked for an apology. He said public airing of allegations could chill future volunteerism.

Council discussion reflected the divided nature of the nomination; one councilmember summarized procedural steps taken to vet the appointment and the city then voted to confirm the nominee 5–4. The transcript records public support remarks and the narrow vote but does not include a roll call of individual votes in the meeting text.

What happens next: Parks will serve on the civil service commission for the stated term (to July 2028 per the agenda item). Several speakers called on council members to avoid public disparagement of nominees in the future.