Interview: Alonzo Tutson, McKinney City Council candidate, District 1

by Angie Bado of McKinneyNews.net

McKinneyNews.net booked time with District 1 candidates this week in an attempt to shed light on the "issues," the time-honored political concerns that are trotted out every so often (say, every election cycle) that should by now be familiar to anyone in McKinney with half a pulse -- water, transportation, infrastructure improvements, East side neglect, etc. As usual, great lengths were taken to craft several questions designed to potentially catch the candidates unawares and, hopefully, at their least-prepared -- and unscripted -- best.

This interview is with Alonzo Tutson, 37, who was born, raised and currently works in McKinney. We began the interview the south end of Bumpas Street, which dead ends into a field - the "field of dreams", according to Tutson. The space of land between east McKinney and the airport has sat vacant since Tutson's childhood. Tutson was a 2001 graduate of Leadership McKinney and has served on the Community Task Force and the Parks and Rec Sub-Committee.

McKinneyNews.net: What is the significance of this piece of property that you are standing in front of and pointing out?

Tutson: I was born right here in these apartments next door and since I can remember, this land has been undeveloped. Why is this property skipped over? Encore Wire is over there (points across the field) and the airport in to the southeast. We could have cleaners, groceries, restaurants, etc. right here. We need to eat, to feed our families, to get haircuts, too - why not have this accessible to the folks right here (East side) and bring in more tax revenue from businesses? After all these years, it is time to develop this out to the airport. If you build it, they will come!

McKinneyNews.net: What is your campaign slogan and if elected, how would you implement your slogan?

Tutson: My slogan is "common sense politics" I've been talking with people in the community about politics - not just local politics, but on the state and national level, and we often say, "why don't they just do this or that - it's just common sense!"

If I'm elected, I will take a look at the city's charter. There are some things that should be updated and some that should be eliminated. I will talk to the citizens of McKinney. I've never met a stranger, so I will talk to everyone. They (the citizens) are in control. It's us together, all as a team, not just the government on one side and the citizens on the others.

McKinneyNews.net: Who is Alonzo Tutson? Tell us about the man.

Tutson: I love this town. I was born here and grew up here. I'm an educator (Tutson works for MISD's Club 360 after school care program with the Boys & Girls Club). My mother and grandmother were both educators here in McKinney. I spent 2 years in the military - 2 years active duty in the army as an MCO and got my medical training at Ft. Sam Houston Medical School. I worked for EDS and just didn't find it fulfilling. My mother and my grandmother repeatedly told me that I had potential in the field of education.

I had the opportunity to get a job with a kids program in Richardson and eventually got involved with Club 360 here in McKinney when Kristina Perez was working on putting the current program into action. I love serving our youth.

At Club 360 we have an actual curriculum, which is presented in a fun way, and the kids aren't even aware, until after the fact, that they are learning. Part of my job is working on planning the curriculum and giving input to my team. We have teams of 8 staff who work with the close to 90 students in the after school program.

I'm the fifth generation born in McKinney. My mother and my grandmother always said that the stuff on the bottom of a glass of iced tea is "settle" and that is thrown out. My mother always reminded me not to be settle - to always try harder - to look for ways to improve. I am always looking for ways to make our city better.

McKinneyNews.net: What have you done in your life that you are most proud of?

Tutson: My son, Mikhail, who is 17, reminds me, "Dad you've done this and dad, you've done that." One of the things I'm most proud of is working with youth and also working with seniors in an adopt a grandparent program through St. Mark's Baptist Church.

McKinneyNews.net: What are you least proud of?

Tutson: One thing I regret is that I have waited so long to run for city council. My mother, who was such an inspiration, passed away last May.

McKinneyNews.net: Why was your mother such an inspiration to you?

Tutson: She was a single mother and raised 4 boys. She was determined that all 4 of us would graduate - and we did. She didn't want us to go down the wrong path. She was the "neighborhood mom". Mom would always push us.

I do know my father and he was a good role model and I still have a relationship with him today.

McKinneyNews.net: What, in your mind, is the most pressing need in McKinney?

Tutson: Staying on top of the growth. Our city services are maxed out. We have water shortages, which will grow worse. We have to also consider safety - we are behind on our construction of adequate fire houses - and transportation. We need to attract more business here in order to lighten the tax burden on the citizens.

McKinneyNews.net: Why did you decide to run for city council now?

Tutson: We are right on the cusp of greatness. We can take the high road, and stop tabling action - for example, the much needed parking in downtown McKinney. McKinney is in a critical place and we need to put the decisions in the hands of the people - what the poeple want. We need to set some type of ground work for the future. Our youth are our future decision makers. What are we doing now to impact their future and the city in 10 or 20 years from now?

People came to me and asked me to run. It still goes back to the people. My mother used to say, " there are two places people are equal...in the grave and in the polling place. It always comes back to the people.

Kids know me - they call me Mr. T - I want a great future for them.

McKinneyNews.net: What, would you say, distinguishes you from the other candidates running for City Council District 1?

Tutson: I am the "non politician". I am the common sense man - the voice for the common man and common woman. I understand that everyone has a part to play. Everyone has something to bring to the table and I am willing to listen. It is our individual egos, not our differences, that separate us. We basically all want the same thing - for our children to do better than we did, safety, health, etc.

McKinneyNews.net: We are facing a $5.5 million shortfall in tax revenue. How would you address that if elected?

Tutson: We should focus on the airport corridor and get smart, green businesses in here. We need to invest to make money down the road. We need to increase our business tax base, while still keeping our uniqueness.

I would be in favor of the plan to revamp the Hwy 5 section, realizing that building up the Hwy 5 corridor will help bring in revenue that we could reinvest in the East side. Communication is key - if people know and understand, they can buy into a plan. Convince through communication.