Meet the Candidates: Angel Alonso

Editor's note: Over the coming weeks, Lilburn Patch will profile candidates of local political offices.

There's not much of the world that Angel Alonso hasn't seen, and one of his favorite spots in it is his house in Lilburn.

A Lilburnite since 1990, Alonso was attracted to the city by the house he still lives in with his two daughters and wife, Teresa. His home features a large flat front lawn. A pond sits in a corner full of koi fish. There is no hum of cars as we stand outside his home.

“It was so peaceful and quiet,” said Alonso. “I enjoyed the aspects that a small town has while still being close to a big city," he said of choosing the home.

Alonso's family moved to Atlanta in 1970, and he has lived in Lilburn since 1990. He graduated from North Fulton High School, which is now North Atlanta High School.

A former stage manager and a guitar and sound technician, Alonso has toured with bands like Kansas, Styx, Journey, Aerosmith, Metallica and many others.

“There are only about five countries I haven’t been to,” he said.

He met his wife on the road in Oklahoma during a tour with the musical group Bad Company.

Tucked away in a corner of his office are a few guitars, among them a custom Paul Reed Smith guitar. Remnants from his touring days are still scattered about his home, and attached to the house is a small recording studio.

He is now retired from that life, and when he talks of his touring days he circles back to how much he loves small towns.

“There is nothing better than a small town where everybody knows everybody,” said Alonso. “Even if you’re an outsider, they extend a hand and greet you.”

 “That is what I want to bring back to Lilburn,” he said.

That's one of the reasons Alonso is running for Post 2 on the Lilburn city council. He sees the community as torn far apart right now, and said he believes Lilburn is losing the small town feeling, becoming like a big city.

”In big cities you don’t know your neighbor,” said Alonso. “If someone wants to shake your hand and greet you, you are immediately questioning what this person wants from you.”

Civic duty just seems to be second nature to the world traveller. Alonso was recognized by former Georgia Governor Zell Miller for his work translating Spanish for the Atlanta Police Department. He has helped law enforcement translate during traffic incidents, court cases, and investigations.

The retiree is part of CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team. He has been recognized by FEMA for his work in emergency response. He's a member and helper in the Gwinnett County Citizen Fire Academy which teaches citizens CPR, safety, and the inner workings of a fire department.

Alonso is second vice-president of the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, which helps in search and rescues, and he still uses his Spanish-language skills to translate for various police and fire departments in the area. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, which focuses on charity, community, and family.

“I know how fire and law enforcement works,” said Alonso. “I want to help the law enforcement agencies and the community come together to keep us safe.”

His next project? A block party for his neighborhood at his house.

And whether he wins or loses in the upcoming election, Alonso says he will continue to work to bring this community together as one safe, peaceful unit.

 “I’m not a politician, I’m a person,” Alonso said. “I am not running for my personal views, but for the people of this city.”

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