Political Pow-wur

A letter to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram speaks volumes about the Arlington City Council meeting where citizens that went to be heard were instead, thrown out.

Pow-wur shift

Some Arlington citizens -- you know, common folk who pay taxes, fees and inconsequential things like that -- want to talk about a controversial and divisive thoroughfare plan.

But the mayor says not so fast. Only 20 minutes' discussion collectively for the pros, 20 minutes for the cons. No matter how many citizens want to speak to the council.

The mayor proclaims he has the pow-wur. He invokes the pow-wur. Shush little citizens. Go sit in the corner. Play the quiet game.

So he borrows the Dallas County Commissioners Court's muzzle.

What do the mayor's fellow council members say about this virtual shutoff of debate? What's that, council members? Couldn't hear you. Must be bad acoustics, huh?

But a stadium builder, gas well drillers and out-of-town apartment builders get a city hall full of 20 minutes. But Arlington residents? Who do you think you are?

An entrenched incumbent came ever-so-close to biting the political dust in Saturday's runoff election. Could be a not-so-subtle message there and it might embolden residents. While quietly being obedient, corner-sitting little people, maybe they'll conclude that in coming elections, why, they just might invoke the pow-wur, too.

-- Roger Summers, Arlington