Interview: Gilda Garza, McKinney City Council candidate

by Staff of of McKinneyNews.net

McKinney’s upcoming city council election (May 9) finds no less than three contestants vying for the council’s At-Large seat. McKinneyNews.net sat down with each candidate – Curtis Rath, David Brooks, and current District 1 council member, Gilda Garza -- in an effort to divine who these candidates are not necessarily as politicians, but as thinking human beings capable (hopefully) of contending with nuance and ambiguity.

McKinneyNews.net is under the opinion that the best questions, i.e., those that elicit something of substance pertaining to one’s character and intellectual capabilities, are questions least expected. After all, presumably anyone can make a good impression with enough preparation and rehearsal. (Remember, Skinner, with relative ease, trained pigeons to play Ping-Pong.)

While the questions generally follow the same trajectory, McKinneyNews.net did not hesitate to deviate from the prearranged script when candidate answers warranted a follow-up question (or two).

McKinneyNews.net explicitly does not endorse political candidates. In deference to the alphabet, Garza’s and Rath’s responses will follow Brooks’ interview on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

McKinneyNews.net: So, what do you do with your time?

I’m a records clerk for student services department North Texas Job Corps. (Garza also has eight years of service as the District 1 McKinney City Council representative.)

McKinneyNews.net: Erich Fromm said, “One cannot be deeply responsive to the world without being saddened very often.” What saddens you?

The imbalance in the city of McKinney. The other leaders don’t want to hear the word “disparity.” We are working on it. I think during my administration we have addressed the issue. For those who have lived in McKinney, they have been able to tell the difference. We have just addressed it, but we have not conquered it.

McKinneyNews.net: You’ve mentioned “my side of town” in previous conversations. Where do you live and what do you know from living on your side of town that others don’t know?

I live east of 75. It’s differences and imbalances I’m talking about. This is what I’ve always said. People take their environment for granted. When you cross 75 they’re going to see a difference. And being in office or serving the people you try your best to have a balance or equality in your city and that’s what I’ve been working on. You shouldn’t have to visit a city and see a difference especially in the streets – and infrastructure. You should have nice streets everywhere.

McKinneyNews.net: What’s your political persuasion – and do you think you’re able to accommodate opposing political opinion?

At this level it’s supposed to be non-partisan and that’s the way I like to keep it. I don’t think political affiliation has anything to do with [differences of opinion]. We’re not here for party affiliation; we’re here to serve the people.

McKinneyNews.net: McKinneyNews.net realizes global warming is beyond the purview of city council decisions. But then again, council members certainly must grapple with issues pertaining to ecology and conservation. So, with this huge prelude, what’s your take on global warming?

That’s political (laughs). My personal opinion on that is that if it’s going to save or preserve or improve the quality of life for someone – for all of us – then I will support it.

McKinneyNews.net: How do you know when you’re in possession of the truth?

I’ve always been an honest person (laughs). Take the airport economic – some say it’s an economic engine. And what is the real truth? It’s not what they say it is. I get tired of saying this. People need to know the truth. It’s a money pit, that’s what it is – and they know it.

McKinneyNews.net: And if more people knew this “truth” we wouldn’t be sinking money into the airport?

That’s correct.

McKinneyNews.net: Until very recently, you were the only female on the city council. You’re still the only Hispanic. What does it feel like being surrounded by middle-aged Caucasian men – save, of course, for Geralyn Kever?

Initially, I have to say it was intimidating. Not just because I was female, but also because I was a minority. I knew that most of the council members didn’t want me on the council. I don’t know why. I got that feeling when some if not all were supporting my opponents in my previous council races. When you know one person doesn’t like females in the leadership roll, it’s difficult. We’ll just leave it at that.

McKinneyNews.net: What makes a great leader?

I have said that I’m a proven leader. Speaking for myself, I have accomplishments that people can see. I support the departments, the operations of the city if they’re going to be beneficial to the city of McKinney. You’ve got to be a team leader.

McKinneyNews.net: Who’s your hero?

You always think of your own family, your parents. I can’t pinpoint one. I’ll just say my parents.

McKinneyNews.net: What is it about your parents?

Just -- they taught us a lot of family values and moral values, something I think this generation we have now doesn’t know anything about. In my generation, our parents taught us discipline and respect. (Garza referenced this “sagging pants” story as an example.)

McKinneyNews.net: What do you think your greatest strength is and can you give us a concrete example of how you have used this strength?

I think just the – I don’t know how to say it -- I have the strength to stand up and voice my opinion to represent my constituents from District 1. I’m not afraid to say, “Hey, this is what needs to be done.” During my eight years on Council I think that probably one of my accomplishments was bringing awareness of the disparity, the inequalities – as far as infrastructure, you know?

McKinneyNews.net: What are three critical issues that our city faces?

Water conservation. Public safety -- we need to make sure we provide emergency services to the community. Mobility. We’re growing so much. We lack the large thoroughfares to get us around the city. We need to open or extend some thoroughfares as connector streets to larger thoroughfares.

McKinneyNews.net: Is indigent health care an issue in Collin County?

Yeah, but that’s a Collin County issue.

McKinneyNews.net: Do you think a developer such as mayoral candidate George Fuller – or maybe a guy like downtown developer, Don Day -- should run for city council? Some might say there’s a rather huge conflict of interest.

When you have ties to a business, when you’re a banker or realtor or developer you have too many ties going into office. The perception of the conflict of interest is going to be there. That’s why I’m the better candidate; I have no conflict of interest. I’m running on experience, integrity and diversity.

McKinneyNews.net: What annoys you most about politicians?

The local politicians? (laughs) Probably my number one is that a lot of politicians run for the limelight. They’re not interested in serving the people or even have a good idea of what that position is for.