In the Fourth installment of the 2013 Texas Leftist Candidate Questionnaire, we hear from Kenneth Perkins, candidate for Houston City Council District B.
Please note: Responses have been received directly from the candidate, and have been posted verbatim from the email received. This is done out of fairness to all candidates. Publishing these responses does not constitute an endorsement, but will be considered during the endorsement process.
TL: What is your name, as it will appear on the ballot?
KP: Kenneth Perkins
TL: Are you a current or former elected official? If so what office(s)?
KP: No, not at this time perhaps soon.
TL: As a political candidate, you clearly care about what happens in certain levels of government. In your own words, why is government important?
KP: To maintain order of law and to keep the people informed.
TL: If elected, what is your top priority in office for the upcoming term? Describe how you plan to accomplish it.
KP: Now safety and security of life, property, jobs and education. I say safety because of all the crime in the news lately. With the help of the people, business-owners and community leaders we can make a positive change.
TL: With the exception of city government and some other select businesses, Houstonians can still be fired for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender because we do not have a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance for general employment. This lags behind other Texas cities such as Dallas, Austin, and Ft. Worth. Do you support a comprehensive non-discrimination ordinance for the city of Houston? If not, please explain why. If so, please explain how you would work to pass such a measure.
KP: I do not believe a person should be fired for what they believe in, or because of race or gender. If the person is capable of the job so be it. However if your life style conflict with your work performance then that could very well be an issue with employment.
TL: There have been an alarming number of complaints filed against officers in the Houston Police Department, accused of unwarranted police brutality towards citizens. A disproportionate amount of this violence occurs in minority communities, and in the vast majority of these cases, officers have gone unpunished. As a result, these incidents cause a cycle of mistrust between Houstonians and the very officers sworn to protect them. What can you do to increase oversight of the Houston Police Department, and help ensure that these incidents do not continue?
KP: More training and accountability. Check and balance. When is speak about accountability we need to hold the upper management feet close to the fire. If your officer get out of hand you are punish as well. There are little warning sign as a supervisor that you see in your employee and you need to take action. Make a firm example of the bad officer and make sure your facts in the case are air tight.
TL: What makes you the best candidate for this office?
KP: I am a people person that truly care about others. I worked as a public servant for nearly 30 years. Therefore I understand the needs of the people, not just one race but the human race.
TL: When not on the campaign trail, how do you like to spend your free time?
KP: Just having fun with family and friends. I enjoy playing basketball and sometime just riding my bike.
Thanks to Mr. Perkins for his participation.
