Joe Tyson retires from City Council
Joe Tyson stands outside his home in Kinston. Tyson is retiring from Kinston City Council. Janet Sutton/ Neuse News
By Janet Sutton
Joseph Tyson is a dedicated man. He’s served his country and his community as a retired Lieutenant Colonel, former JROTC instructor, husband, father and mentor. He's accustomed to making decisions and getting things done. For more than 20 years, he’s contributed his knowledge and skillset to the Kinston City Council and now he’s retiring for the second time.
Tyson was elected to the city council in 1998, during his tenure, he served as mayor pro tem under former Mayors Johnny Moseley and B.J. Murphy before retiring in 2015. His retirement was brief, in less than a year’s time he was unanimously appointed back on the council to fill the vacancy left by Gordon Vermillion in 2016.
Tyson's presence will not only be missed by residents but by fellow city council members as well. Robert Swinson IV has served with Tyson since 2005. He says the council "has some big shoes to fill."
Swinson respected Tyson for his knowledge and thoroughness.
"Mr. Tyson was that guy that made the tough decisions, asked the hard questions, kept us on our toes and he's truly going to be missed," Swinson said. "I have enjoyed working with him my whole time on the council. I've learned quite a bit … when to say something, when to bite my tongue. I'm just thankful that I have had the opportunity to work with him for the period that he has served the citizens of Kinston and Lenoir County.”
Mayor Don Hardy echoes Swinson's sentiments. He said Tyson brought a great deal of knowledge to the council and was very passionate about things he thought the city needed to take a look at. He served with Tyson for about two years.
"I think he's a great asset and we do appreciate everything that he's done and hopefully we'll be able to take, the council and myself, some of the things we learned from him in the past and be able to move forward with the city of Kinston," Hardy said.
In addition to being known for his intelligence, Tyson was known for being outspoken and he enjoyed being a part of the decision making process. His background from the U.S. Army's Command General Staff College trained him how to develop courses of action and strategies for problem solving, which he applied to his role on the council.
"Everything that I did, I did it for the good of the city," Tyson said. "My every decision included how much is it going to cost, is it the right thing for the citizens of Kinston and has it been in our budget," he said.
He wishes more people understood how local government works and he's not ashamed to share how he envisions a city council. Tyson thinks members of the council should consist of a banker, a CPA, a business man, a real estate person, an educator and an activist. He hopes that anyone seeking a seat on the council understands its more than a popularity contest.
"An individual that's going to be on the city council, in my mind, needs to be a very inquisitive individual, an individual that asks questions, that seeks answers," Tyson said. "An individual when an issue comes up wants more than just one course of action because when somebody just gives you one course of action, you’re just saying yes or no to what they propose," he said.
Tyson feels strongly about inclusive representation and that no part of the city should be left out.
"We need an individual that is concerned about the entire community not just some geographical portion of a community. You need someone that's transparent, that when they vote for something on the city council they have the intestinal fortitude to explain that."
He doesn't shy away from controversial issues and will face any challenge with poise and integrity. His vote counted when the city was working to reduce electric rates, the return of minor league baseball to Grainger Stadium and the donation of the Kinston Community Center from the Woodmen of the World among numerous other issues that came upon the council.
He's been pleased with the city's collaboration with individuals in the private sector that has changed the culture of Herritage Street and the NCDOT's transformation of the Magic Mile. As a citizen, he's worked to revamp the Crime Stoppers program and is constantly thinking of ways to help his city, which he thinks could be better with more community involvement.
"If the people are concerned, you never see them at budget meetings. I beg people to come to our budget meetings," Tyson said. "To see how we're spending the money, where the money is going, they never show up; participation makes a lot of difference," he said.
As a councilman, Tyson turned his focus to the budget. He thinks of the budget as a living breathing organism and is quick to say, "the general fund is not a piggy bank." It’s no secret he emphasizes the importance of correctly handling money.
"What the council has to understand is that the budget is the document we live by," Tyson said. "The budget incorporates all the priorities for the city and when the council is operating during the course of the year they need to stay within the parameters of that budget," he said.
"Because when they do not do that, they dip into the general fund to take care of pet peeves, which will affect your operating ability and your ability to react to hurricanes and other things that come up; and those are the type of things that I am concerned about going forward.”
As far as his personal plans go, he'll remain a member of four other committees and executive boards and look for ways to lend a helping hand.
"I plan to do a lot of writing and more reading, I'm behind on my reading," Tyson said. "And I'll get involved in community activities where I think I can provide some assistance.”
