What
makes a great Mayor?
By J.B. Blocker
Before I begin, I want to set a few qualifications
for my opinions
.
I have no racial or religious bias. As a naturalized
citizen, I have the highest hopes for the children of immigrants to achieve the
American dream. We are, by now, all decedents of immigrants even if it goes
back multiple generations. I do have a problem using ethnicity or religion as a
campaign platform for elected officials in a general election. Even in a District,
City, or State that is predominantly one origin or faith, I believe that a
higher power can prevail when good people elect good people.
I am personal friends with many current and former
mayors. My first part-time job was as a teenager working for the mayor of my
hometown of Sunray, Texas at the Sunray Lumber Yard. That was 40 years ago and
I still call and check on his wife Judge Billie Faye Schumacher, the former
J.P. and current Teen Court Judge in Moore County. This comfort level and
respect for the office prevails to this day. In the past 20 years in the DFW
area I count over a dozen mayors as friends outside of their office position.
Since the campaigns for Richardson’s mayor began, I
have bided my time on voicing my opinion. I have spoken with each candidate,
followed their web sites and Face Books, and used my friends and contacts as
sounding boards.
In a few ways, both candidates have some similar
qualifications. They have both served on the city council, are respected and
even loved by many, and have worked hard to connect to the community.
One of the statements in the article was at best
misleading and I believe it was intended to mitigate the perceived responsibilities
of an elected mayor. It may be that the author just didn’t know the extent of mayoral responsibilities.
I sent this e-mail to several of my mayoral
friends. In respect for the political integrity of those still holding office,
I will not connect the mayor with their response.
