Timing. Good or bad? I'm not sure. I made my first overtures to the Mayor's Office for an interview around the time I started doing this podcast. After plenty of back and forth (and after city spokesperson Phil Pitchford stepped in to help the process) we finally set a date: the day before a major city coundil meeting (check the link if you don't follow city politics). Hoo, boy.
Well, dear listener, if you're expecting that I rode that angle I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm not that guy (yet).
Even before all of this civic brouhaha, I was interested in knowing more about the man who replaced The Loveridge. I know my conversation with Councilmember Mike Soubirous trumped a few misconceptions I had about him...our face-to-face changed attitudes for me. Considering the uneven response Mayor Rusty Bailey has garnered in his first term I was looking forward to filling in the blanks.
I had a great time...pretty sure the Mayor did too. I learned a lot more than I did from campaign mailers and newspaper articles. It appeared Mr. Pitchford enjoyed himself (he sat in on the chat -- first time I've encountered that so far). Mr. Bailey said he's up for a more issues-oriented episode down the road...and I look forward to talking to him again in that particular vein.
After Tuesday's meeting it's going to be real interesting to see how things move forward for the Mayor and Council. I don't expect we're out of the conflict zone and I'm sure more people are paying attention now.
I *do* like that our Mayor is tie-optional. What is it with those things anyway?
- Ralph from Riverside
