Well, it’s high time I made this post, because if I wait only a few more days, the election will be come and gone. Yes, that’s right, there’s an election on Tuesday. Probably be a very light turnout, seeing as no one has even heard of it. Still, if I want the FEC to send those gentlemen to my door, I’ve got to put this out on the web.
Most of the stuff below is from the Houston Chronicle, but as usual, they manage to miss the significant information. Mayor White has four opponents for his second term (get it right Dkosopedia); all near-total nobodies that run for offices most every election:
Gladys House, 50
• Occupation: Manager/owner, Carpet Depot
• Political offices sought or held: Candidate, Houston City Council District I, 2003; candidate, Houston City Council At-Large Position 2, 1995 and 1991; candidate, Houston City Council At-Large Position 5, 1993
• Education: BA, Texas Southern University, 1984
• Background: Native of Houston; lifelong Texas resident
Houblog Opinion: This leaves out that Ms. House is active in the Texas Legal Services Planning (providing legal services to the poor), and the founder of the Freedmen’s Town Association, active in attempting to preserve the historic Fourth Ward while dealing with the economic blight. (Or in other words, trying to maintain the low/working-class residences of the neighborhood rather than let it get overrun by cookie-cutter condos. Talk about your hopeless fights…) Ally of Lenwood Johnson during the long fight to halt bulldozing the Gregory Institute and preserve Allen Parkway Village.
Luis Ralph Ullrich Jr., 55
• Occupation: Plumbing contractor, Luis Ralph Ullrich Plumbing
• Political offices sought or held: Candidate, Mayor of Houston, 2003, 2001, 1993
• Education: Georgia Institute of Technology, DeKalb Junior College, Auburn University, studying mechanical engineering /construction management
• Background: Native of Eatonton, Ga.; Texas resident 29 years; licensed master plumber in Texas
Houblog Opinion: Not much to say. A businessman with opinions and the wherewithal to pursue them, however quixotically. Unfortunately, there appears to be little or no information on what those opinions are. There is some confusion here; some prior election references are to Luis Ralph Ullrich, Sr. I can’t tell if the problem is with the Bozonicle or the other sources.
Jack Terence, 67
• Occupation: publisher
• Political offices sought or held: Candidate, Mayor of Houston, 2003, 2001, 1999, 1983; candidate, Houston City Council At-Large Position 5, 1997, 1991, 1981, 1979; candidate, Houston City Council District A, 1975; candidate, Houston City Council District C, 1973; candidate, Houston Independent School District board, 1977; candidate, Texas House of Representatives, 1972
• Education: B.S, University of Houston, 1960; J.D., South Texas College of Law, 1969
• Background: Native of Houston; lifelong Texas resident; publisher, Houstonian, 30 years; assistant field director, American Red Cross, 1966; Peace Corps in Philippines, 1962-64
Houblog Opinion: Liiiiiiiiiiibberaaaaaaaaaaaalll. Very much the elitist version of Mr.Ullrich. All I need to see is “publisherâ€? and “Peace Corps.â€? But Political Graveyard has this amusing entry: Terence, Jack — also known as “Jailbird” — of Houston, Harris County, Tex. Candidate for mayor of Houston, Tex., 1999. Still living as of 1999. I can’t find any explanation of the “Jailbird” moniker, but…uhhhhhhhh. Just say no.
Anthony M. Dutrow, 61
• Occupation: Meat packer
• Political offices sought or held: Candidate for Mayor of Houston, 2003 and 2001; Socialist Workers Party nominee, U.S. House of Representatives, District 18, 2002
• Education: Graduate, Monrovia, Calif., High School, 1962
• Background: Native of Los Angeles; Texas resident eight years
Houblog Opinion: Meat packer from the most whacked out city on the west coast (other than Seattle). What is it with these commie unionists and pretentious-sounding European names? Not to mention — he’s a Kalifornia Kommie? This is beyond “Aw, hell no!â€? and straight into “You have ruined your own lands, you shall not ruin mine!â€?
Incumbant: Bill White, 51
• Political offices sought or held: Mayor of Houston, since 2004
• Education: B.A., economics, high honors, Harvard University, 1976; J.D., highest honors, editor-in-chief, Texas Law Review, University of Texas at Austin, 1979
• Background: Native of San Antonio; lifelong Texas resident; served, board of North American Electrical Reliability Council; deputy secretary and chief operating officer, U.S. Department of Energy, 1993-95; president/CEO, WEDGE Group Inc., 1997-2003; chairman, Texas Democratic Party, 1995-98
Houblog Opinion: Mixed report card. Better than his predecessor, but very much a member of the political elite. Not well connected with the working class or understanding of their concerns; surprised by backlash against “Safe Tow� program (scroll down past the annoying ad), which has now become a drain on the city budget. Led effort to overthrow too-generous city employee pension, and has not supported equitable pay raises for employees. Broke longtime linkage between HPD and HFD pay; only one small raise for others; not keeping pace with inflation. Has proved more flexible than prior mayors regarding other issues (time off during hurricane Rita). Troubling connections to developers (true of all successful politicians in Houston), but appears to be running a cleaner administration than immediate predecessor. Has not acted to rein in renegade TIRZ’s like the UKMD. Despite the pension, Houblog gives Mayor White a moderate thumbs-up; he’s clearly the best candidate in the field, but must confront several issues regarding mass transit and the City’s bond rating in the next few years to leave a positive legacy.