The ProTem Totem

Tonight, Richardson chose a new Mayor Pro Tem.

They picked the only person on the council who literally didn’t make any sense, but more on that in a minute...

The night evidently began with an eventful prayer, that I, as an agnostic (but mostly as a mother who had to drop off kids and was running late) unfortunately, missed. However, a number of people brought it up throughout the night, so I plan on going back and watching it at some point.

People suggested there was a degree of shade thrown in the convocation from one of my faves, Councilman Joe Corcoran. If there was, I wouldn’t be all that shocked, but only because he's a messy bitch, like myself. Honestly, it’s why I like him so much.

Anyway, that observation also probably came on the heels of the fact that last Monday there was definitely shade thrown towards our new Mayor. A number of council people mentioned how "both sides" in that race had slung mud and gotten dirty. 

And I’m sorry, but that’s simply not true.

Amir Omar stated facts, and if people thought those were “dirty,” then perhaps they should be more upset with the person who made them true.

That said, I’m fine with leaving that in the past. I just hoped the current council was going to do the same.

However, when I finally arrived 15 minutes late, I will say it seemed like there was some definite tension when Omar brought up the idea of having a completely open meeting, thereby letting the general public witness the discourse and discussion around who would become Richardson’s next Dick Cheney. This suggestion was very inline with his character since Omar has always been vehemently dedicated to transparency. And at first I agreed completely with his argument for why they should do so. (But I’m also not gonna lie, it was partially because as mentioned above, I’m messy and lowkey wanted to see the tea and drama play out in real time.)

That said, after Councilperson Barrios pointed out the negatives of foregoing the traditional closed door executive session, and explained why it could potentially be best to pick the next Mayor Pro Tem in private, I have to say I saw his point. It allows the council to speak more candidly about each elected official's strengths and weaknesses if they're vying for the role.

I hoped that behind closed doors the council would able to flesh out who the best person for the job would be. There would be no public ego deaths and they could speak freely. That made a lot of sense. I mean, since our city meetings are now recorded (thanks to the previous efforts of Mayor Omar over a decade ago) and archived for all to see, I don’t think we necessarily need everyone everywhere hearing the laundry lists of why certain candidates are not fit to serve in that position... while still having confidence in them as council people.

Omar's argument was that it would lead to more professionalism and decorum within the process. Those who opposed the extra layer of transparency admitted it would simply lead to everyone pussyfooting around saying what they really meant, and that's true. So, in an effort to support what I think would longterm be best for the city and our reputation, I was swayed.

Which amounts to all of exactly nothing, because literally who cares what I think, I have zero say. But still, good on Barrios for getting a super stubborn citizen like myself to consider another view. That's not always easy.

And so, again, with the highest of hopes, a lot of us expected them to make the right choice. In private... where their mess would be contained.

All the while, the rest of us shuffled out of the strip shopping center version of our interim City Hall and waited with bated breath for the verdict. That's how it felt to me at least, like a trial deliberation. Were there going to be any holdouts? If they come back too fast it definitely means guilty, right? 

Thankfully, a friend who shall not be named, reframed my thinking by joking how it was more like Richardson‘s very own conclave.

And I can only speak for myself, but I was really hoping for pink smoke.

Unfortunately... we got another boy.

Womp, woooomp.

And not just any boy, but one that even as a mere council person already has a major conflict of interest in his serving - Ken Hutchenrider.

Alas, since 4 of the 7 on council decided not to hold an open meeting and air his weakness publicly, I guess I will have to...

Since last week, Hutchenrider has jumped at any and every chance possible to remind us all that he has seniority. He’s been on council for seven years now and is at the top of the totem pole so it's his turn to have a fancy title, dammit! 

I guess it should come as no surprise that he was able to convince the other six he was the man for the job… even though his actual job - running Richardson Methodist - continues to put our city in a very compromising position.

I mean, should the Mayor Pro Tem, who also runs one of our largest hospitals, really be in charge of deciding the fate of our EMT’s and first responders livelihoods? That couldn't possibly cause them to feel pressured into filling up his business instead of others, right?

This, of course, has been pointed out before and Hutchenrider doesn't seem to care at all. Perhaps he’s actually the messiest of all us bitches. 

I mean, it takes one to know one for sure, but I think you, sir, deserve the crown tonight.

So, here's to the messiest kween... er, actually, wait, you're still second in line, and ya know, a boy, so I guess that makes you the messy Prince of Richardson. 

And if Disney has taught us anything, it's that princes are good for waking us up from our slumber...

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P.S. What's up, Chuck?

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UPDATE: I watched Joe's prayer and honestly don't get the hubbub. It just reminded me of when I had to pray out loud in youth group and would quickly search a few verses just to make it sound more profound and add content to make it longer. (: