Four vie for open Missouri City council seat
Four vie for open Missouri City council seat
By BARBARA FULENWIDER
Danny Nguyen is running for Missouri City Council At Large Position 2. Nguyen grew up in Fort Bend County, finished his public school education at FBISD and earned an International Business Management and marketing degree at Texas A&M University. After he graduated he and his wife, Marie, chose to return home to raise their sons in Missouri City and build a commercial real estate brokerage and investment business.
Nguyen has worked as a community volunteer who served on Missouri City’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and as a board member of the Tax Increment Finance Reinvestment Zone No. 3. He says he will hold down spending by saying no when it’s necessary, privatize when it’s practical and always insist that the city’s police and fire responders are fully equipped for their mission.
He wants to join city council, he said, “to ensure that Missouri City stands out among America’s most pro-family and pro-small business cities,” and is why Nguyen is most proud of his endorsements from the Missouri City Police Officers Association and the Houston and Texas Association of Realtors.
The candidate said he and his wife support the Missouri City Business Alliance, Quail Valley Proud, Oyster Creek Rotary, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Fort Bend Leadership Forum, Missouri City Police & Fire Auxiliary, Missouri City’s American Legion Post, the Quail Valley Country Exchange Club, their homeowners association and church.
Last month more than 400 friends, family and neighbors attended a kick-off for Nguyen’s candidacy that included Mayor Allen Owen and Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Wyatt, Commissioners Grady Prestage and James Patterson, Constables Ruben Davis and Troy Nehls, Councilman Bobby Marshall and former council members Barbara Gibson, Albert Glover and Eunice Reiter
“Most important to us are our two young children and contributing to this city to ensure them and all Missouri City children a future that focuses on the Missouri City values we knew growing up here -- respect for public safety professionals and private property rights, honoring veterans and senior citizens. We also want fiscal constraint framed by fewer taxes, fees and fines, less government spending, freedom for small business, fighting flooding and fully combating crime,” Nguyen said.
“I’m grateful for the reverent and patriotic values my entrepreneur and nurse mother and my father who served with the U.S. Army Green Berets taught me and thankful for opportunities I’ve been offered here to raise my family, build my business and serve my city and country,” he said.
“In addition to Marie’s total backing of my serving our city, I’m blessed with the support from my parents, sisters and brothers and their families that live here and my friends and our neighbors that are prepared and motivated to work to win this position because what is on the line is Missouri City’s future,” said Nguyen.
“I have been encouraged by current city and county officials, business and church colleagues but my most important motivator is neighbors in every district and precinct telling us that they know that respectful, reliable and responsive government must start with our city council.”
Judith Dupre, 64, said she’s running for the Missouri City at large Position 2 city council job because “with all the increased taxes I need to get involved. My goal is to help the community by doing the best I possibly can. If people want someone to personally answer their calls rather than a recording and someone who is committed, then vote for me.”
Dupre is a native of Louisiana who moved to Houston in 1974. She attended Houston Community College and got an associates degree and then the single mother of two children went on to Southeastern Oklahoma State University to complete her bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Dupre, who is an insurance executive, moved to Sugar Land in 1984 and ran for office on a Sugar Land water board. She served two four-year terms, and said, “We reduced taxes” during her tenure.
“I’ve always been civic and community minded,” she said.
“In 1992 I was living in Clear Lake and wrote a letter to Gov. Ann Richards about the ever increasing homeowner insurances rates. I was a single mom raising two kids and I told her the raise in the rates was ludicrous. She got the insurance companies to reduce them.”
Dupre went on to say, “I hate injustice so I work to do something about it. If the people of Missouri City want change and someone who is responsive to their needs, I’m their candidate. I’m very loyal nd always believe in what I do. With all the increased taxes I decided I needed to get involved again. I believe the people of Missouri City need new leadership.”
Kevin Tunstall, a local healthcare business owner and tax reform advocate is also running for the council at large position 2 seat, being vacated by long-time Councilman Buddy Jimerson. In 2008 Tunstall ran for the District C seat on council and was the only area candidate to receive an endorsement from the Ron Paul presidential campaign. Over the years Tunstall has remained very active in local political issues.
When asked why he is again seeking to serve the voters of Missouri City, Tunstall, 45, said that the current administration has continued to raise taxes and bond debt over the years and have little to show for it. “They hire lobbyists with our tax dollars, who then act in opposition to the interests of our local businesses and families by opposing appraisal and property tax rate reforms,” Tunstall said.
“Last week the mayor pulled a ballot initiative that would have given the voters of Missouri City the option to implement a universal homestead exemption, which they currently are denied. Missouri City is one of the few cities in the area that does not offer this to its residents. Why would the mayor or any city official first offer the public this choice and then remove it, all within a month or two?
“It’s time for true fiscal responsibility and prudent actions in these tough times and to remember who placed us in office. We have a diverse and vibrant community and we need a clear direction as well as new leadership to insure a bright future,” Tunstall said.
Yolanda Ford, 36, is the fourth hopeful running for the At Large Position 2 race. The architect/planner has been a resident of Missouri City for 33 years and currently works for Missouri City as a planner and interim Community Block Development Grant administrator.
Ford said she is running for city council because she has a life long commitment to Missouri City and the professional experience and education to grow a dynamic city with lasting value. She attended Blue Ridge Elementary, Quail Valley Junior High School and John Foster Dulles High School and has a bachelor of science degree from the University of Houston. She also has a master of architecture degree from Prairie View A&M University.
Prior to joining the city staff, Ford operated her own consulting agency for 10 years managing government programs and contracts for various non-profit organizations and community development corporations. As a city planner, Ford is involved from the beginning to the end of the development process to ensure that the city’s vision is carried out.
Ford says she believes government should be accountable and that she will fight for lower taxes. She will also work to revitalize areas of the community that have been neglected in order to improve the quality of life for all residents. She believes that investment in a well planned community makes a community safe, sustainable and one with lasting value.
She says she’s devoted to serving her community and being a catalyst for economic opportunity. Some of her affiliations include the American Institute of Architects, American Planning Association, Colony Crossing Homeowner’s Association board member and Inner City Action Network board member/mentor.
As a council member, Ford says she “will take action and be your community advocate to keep your community safe and taxes low.” She also says she will “fight diligently to ensure that there is transparency, integrity and accountability in council and all sectors of our city government” and “will protect property values, revitalize blighted areas and support responsible, sustainable growth that will enrich residents’ lives.”