Kristen Mack gets a jump start on former mayor Bob Lanier’s Chronicle obituary with her municipal politics column that ran on Friday.
I say that because the celebration of all things Mayor Bob is not especially what I’d expect to read in a weekly municipal politics column.
This part of the Mack’s birthday celebration is amusing:
White said Lanier is sensitive not to meddle or intrude, because he once sat in the mayor’s chair. White also is quick to rebut any exaggeration of Lanier’s influence.
“There is no shadow government in Houston,” White said. “He doesn’t call any shots or pull any strings. But people rely on his brain power. He’s honest, smart and gets things done. He’s a problem-solver.”
Yes, he does get things done, and that’s why people turn to him.
But we don’t really get that sort of reporting any more, now that Tim Fleck has disappeared from the local journalism scene.
Instead, we get Happy Birthday columns.
