AC: What’s the rush, Professor?
Landers: Oh nothing much. Sandra just forgot to stick on my nicotine patch before I left the house. I’m headed to San Pablo for a smoke.
AC: I don't mean to pry, but is that pocket square made of Kleenex?
Landers: I have the sniffles. A summer cold. There is no rule that pocket squares can't have a practicle purpose now and then, in addtion to being fashionable.
AC: Of course. Mind if I tag along? I’ve got a couple of questions I’d like to ask you.
Landers: Always happy to talk to the press.
AC: Well first off, there’s a rumor going around that you may run for the Albany City Council.
Landers: Not a thing to it. Nothing. After what seems like a lifetime of hard work, I’m really enjoying my time at home with my family. That is, my wife Sandra, and our little cat Sandy. I’m reminded of that famous remark attributed to General Sherman after the Civil War. “If nominated, I will not run. If elected, I will not serve.” That’s my firm position.
AC: Well, not to doubt you, but you were spotted at the city offices, taking out papers.
Landers: Taking out papers means nothing! It’s only if you return them all filled out, signed, notarized, and dated. I'll admit that does signify something, but has anyone seen me do that? Noooo!
AC: But then there’s this talk about a Landers for City Council Exploratory Committee. Someone assured me that you had asked him to be on it.
Landers: I will admit assembling a few close friends and advisors to inform me about ways in which I might more fully serve my community.
AC: Interesting. And what has this exploratory committee done so far?
Landers: Well, in order for them to get to know each other better, I sent them out over the weekend to explore for burrowing owls. And told them to talk about Albany politics while they were at it.
AC: Did they find some owls?
Landers: No, but they did come back with some good looking wild mushrooms. I do hope they check 'em out before they eat them. I pretty well scraped the bottom of the barrel in pulling this bunch together. To form another committee from scratch would be very tough at this point.
AC: Right. But what do you think of the current Council? Did you see the Mayor shut down that committee chairman the other night at three minutes sharp?
Landers: Well you see, the people of Albany are getting what they bargained for in the last election. What I would call a "Strong Mayor". They might not have foreseen the Mayor electing himself out of rotation two years in a row, but maybe that’s not all bad, because the current Mayor is a very active mayor who wants to get things done.
AC: But couldn’t he be a little more civil about it?
Landers: Oh Sonny! You have to understand a few of things about Strong Mayors. First of all, they aboslutely know what is "right". Secondly their natural instincts tell them exactly what they need to do to get those "right" things done. And thirdly, they don't always share their reasoning and motivations with the rest of us, so "transparency" is not their forte. But anyway, all this means is they don’t really need committees at all. They'll listen to campaign contributors, but that's about it. And they have trouble tolerating anyone with a different point of view or a different plan of action. Such people annoy them to the point where they can lose control, show their true colors, and get a bit testy. Just goes with the territory.
AC: But what about “public comment” like “For the good of the city”?
Landers: I can see you need to be educated! The ancient Greeks started that in Athens a long time back in the B.C's. Its original purpose was to inform the Council about what people thought, and sometimes actually educate Council members so that they could make better informed decisions. No more. Today the Strong Mayor considers public comment to be simply a quaint custom left over from the olden days-- a waste of time, since he already knows what he wants to do going in.
AC: Why does he have it then?
Landers: He tolerates it for two reasons. First, it allows his friends to voice their loyalty and support, which he finds mildly amusing. Second, it allows critics to blow off steam in the name of free speech. Sort of like putting bumper stickers on your car. They have little effect, but you feel better, and at least you've “had your say”. Keeping the opposition mollified and docile is important. Since Council meetings can drag on, the most important thing about public comment from the standpoint of the Strong Mayor is to keep it as bief as possible. That’s what “Thank you, next speaker, please,” is all about. Here’s something you’re not likely to hear in the Albany City Council chamber: Mayor: I think your point is well made and it will benefit the Council to hear it fully. I’m waiving the time limit. Please continue.
AC: That sounds pretty cynical. Would you be this kind of a strong person if you ever got on the Council or got to be a mayor someday?
Landers: Oh Sonny! How many times do I have told you that I am perfectly happy at home with my little cat Sandy, and my wife Sandra. You should see her chase a red laser dot around the rug! Very entertaining! I mean the cat, not my wife. And now I really must be off to check the local emergency rooms to see if any of my committee members have succumbed to a tummy full of mushrooms. Return