“Speak Up, Boy”
Major Isbell showed why his brand of politics needs to be rejected at a special emergency council meeting. On top of spending over two million dollars fighting a voter discrimination redistricting lawsuit the city lost, the city has been plagued by mismanagement issues and a dictatorial mayor.
The meeting had to be called to deal with two mismanagement issues of his administration. The development board lost all of its members when Isbell forgot to appoint then on time. The board is currently under investigation for violating the Open Meetings act. His long-time pick for delinquent tax collections also needed renewing but then was also found in violation of its contract.
During the meeting, called because the mayor was unsure he had the votes the previous meeting and tabled the matters, the mayor nationally embarrassed Pasadena, Texas again.
“Speak Up, Boy”
Northern Pasadena members called for amendments to replace two members of the current board the mayor was reappointing. In violation of state law, which overrides city charters in a case of conflict, and the charter of Second Century, the economic development board, Mayor Isbell claimed only he had the authority to appoint members and Council only approved or rejected his nominations. He ruled the first amendment out of order. Under the mayor’s rules, not Robert’s rules of order, each councilmember can only speak once per motion and only for a timed brief statement. From the Houston Chronicle article:
Isbell was rushing to take a vote on the contract when Councilmember Cody Wheeler interjected: "I haven't had an opportunity to speak yet."
“Well, you better speak up, boy," Isbell replied.
When Wheeler took offense, saying he should be addressed respectfully as a member of the council, Isbell didn't back down.
"Well, act like it," Isbell said.
After discussion and the mayor ruling the amendment out of order Councilmember-at-large and candidate for mayor Pat Van Houte also offered an amendment to replace the two members. It was again ruled out of order.
Mayor Isbell is term-limited but several of the seven members running say that he has been good for the city, promoting strong growth, particularly in the south end.
Which new mayor can change things
This election will see a new mayor but five of the candidates running are Republicans the same as Mayor Isbell. A lot of the issues facing Pasadena revolve around the Republican south end versus the mostly Hispanic Democratic north end.
Pat Van Houte is the candidate most qualified in city government running who opposes the direction the mayor has taken the city. While living in north Pasadena she had Hispanic support for her single-member district elections. In the election two years ago running at-large for all of Pasadena she won both Hispanic and White support. She seems most capable of unifying the city but is opposed by Isbell supporters and city contractors. Her campaign refuses to take money from people doing business with the city who are the most generous donors in Pasadena city elections.
Another last minute candidate running, Gloria Gallego, has voted in Democratic primaries but has no experience in city government or politics.
You can keep up on the election in the Pat Van Houte campaign Facebook Page.
She has a link to the video of this entire public council meeting.