From Establishment Member to Community Voice: The Independence of Tennell Atkins

The independence of Tennell Atkins began with the betrayal against him.On Sunday's episode of KXAS's (NBC-5) Lone Star Politics, Atkins described his goals after being returned by voters to the Dallas City Council."I'm going to listen to the community now," Atkins said. "In the past I've just run down the street, but I'm going to listen and find out what I can do and how I can help my community."That's a stunning statement, particularly since Atkins has already spent eight years on the council and many others on boards and agencies.His answer was an admission that, in the past, his agenda was developed by his desires, as well as those of his former friends in the city's business elite.Here's how that alliance fractured.  Continue reading...