Kevin Tunstall Announces Run For Missouri City Council District C
“When the issue of the city displacing it’s liability onto the residents of our community was brought up (municipal code 46-4), we were told that the issue would be studied and a report would be forthcoming,” Tunstall said. “How convenient for the council to postpone making a decision on the issue until after the filing deadline for candidates to be placed on the ballot. One need only view recent deliberations to witness the contempt exhibited by some members of the council towards members of our community. One member even questioned why someone who lived on my street should be concerned with the issue at all.”
“We recently witnessed the Council’s action with respect to the QV golf course. I will withhold judgment on the issue until after the city has performed due diligence and until I have a better understanding of the history and facts involved. I am making the effort to discuss the situation with people of the community, both in QV and other surrounding neighborhoods. I will continue in this effort in order to have a better understanding of the issue at hand.
“Now we have a new issue on which to focus our attention. The company who provides solid waste management has decided to raise fees significantly and slash services in half,” Tunstall said. “As there are but a few weeks left before services are disrupted, Council will have little choice but to commit to a three-year contract. They did postpone voting on the issue until the next meeting. However, they are simply delaying the inevitable. Perhaps they did not want to cast such a vote in front of so many of their supporters. After all, spending more of the taxpayer’s money without even attempting to negotiate a better price with other vendors could hardly be viewed as fiscally responsible.”
“The common trait these issues share is the fact that they became a crises due to the inattention of those who are charged with the oversight of our community functions. Why problems such as these are allowed to fester to a boil is beyond rational. Allowing any of these issues to become a crisis is simply exhibiting the inability or unwillingness to carry out the duties that the voters have entrusted to those whom we have elected. We have all been taught that Nero fiddled while Rome burned,” Tunstall said. “How many fiddles must one hear before calling it a hoe down?”
“Perhaps it is time to consider an alternative to current order. People tend to become complacent and inattentive when unchallenged. Limiting the time one can remain in a certain position may prevent future complacency as well. Were we all not taught that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?
“I moved to Fort Bend County and Missouri City in particular, because of the perception of well-managed, fiscally responsible communities that would provide superior educational opportunities for my children. I have become more disillusioned if not completely disappointed as time has passed. If our officials were in fact fiscally responsible, we would enjoy lower taxes, smaller budgets and an influx of commercial activity. This, in turn, would provide economic opportunities for all members of our community. It is unfortunate that the myopic policies emanating from our elected officials have crippled our city and our future as a result.
“I can no longer accept that I must simply tolerate the status quo. I will not accept the notion that I should have ‘no concern’ for the injustice imposed upon my neighbors. I no longer believe that one cannot be a catalyst for change,” Tunstall said. “As I believe that competition in a given market will result in more efficiency, I have decided to throw my hat into the ring. As of Friday, I have filed to seek a position on City Council. If nothing else, the people of our community should be given a choice.”
“I have no animosity towards Mr. Burton. On the contrary, I enjoy discussing local issues with him and hope he will become a better statesman as a result of my action. However, I am committed to promoting beneficial changes for our community. I am confident that our future, and the future of our city, can be more prosperous. However, to make this possibility become a reality will require the much-needed attention of the electorate. Join me, and choose to move our future in a positive direction.”
