Saturday morning I arrived late, remnants of cheese and egg from my Egg McMuffin attached to my mustache.

Tuesday, January 18, 2000

Saturday morning I arrived late, remnants of cheese and egg from my Egg McMuffin attached to my mustache. The cinnamon-apple biscuit from Hardee’s came without frosting, or there would have been traces of frosting mixed in.

I arrived at city hall with my customary half-regular, half-decaf coffee from Hardee’s to listen to the interviews for the new Second Ward alderman.

A few cars were parked in front of the building. I expected more.

Not a soul in the chamber. Next I checked the conference room outside the chamber where they hold committee meetings. Again, no one.

"Are they really here?" I wondered to myself.

Then I spotted a coat in the mayor’s office.

In the city administrator’s outer office upstairs, I nearly collided with Linnea Burtch. She was leaving her interview for the Second Ward alderman. She followed Roger Boughton. There were four candidates left to be interviewed.

The mayor reminded those council members present that "these interviews are, like everything else, open to the public."

Then for another minute or two, she described situations the public could not attend with some lack of clarity.

I was seated in Pat McGarvey’s chair, as the third candidate, Rich Osness, took his place at the table for the 15 minute question-and-answer process.

Osness would be followed by Charles Anderson, Chuck was followed by Michael Allen and his son and his son’s stuffed animal who – the stuffed animal – ended up with its own chair at the table while his son explored city hall.

Allen was followed by Gary Ellingson.

Mayor Rietz was first to thank each candidate for applying for the Second Ward council seat and remind each candidate how pleased she was that so many people took interest in the position (again).

The questioning began with the council member-at-large. After also thanking each person for their interest, he mentioned how they would have, of course, preferred an election "but under these circumstances…"

The council person-at-large then asked, "Of all the committees there are to serve on, beside the every other week regular meeting, which would they choose?" and second, "Would you be committed to attend?"

This was easy I thought, I’d get on the finance committee and then try to trade the city’s financial manager for the county’s Ruth Harris, and see if she could build up a $31 million surplus for the city.

Of course I would announce my commitment, at least for the time being.

The next council person asked to identify "three character traits."

I would have been too embarrassed to ask what was meant by traits, so guessing at this I would have said, "First, I’m easily influenced and can’t say no," counting this as one; second "I’m always late," and third, "I can’t resist gossip."

Next question "How do you handle anger?" or "Suppose there was an angry citizen at a meeting directing his or her anger at you? How would you respond?"

I’d get up and leave. I don’t do conflict.

Next. "What do you see as the major problem or problems facing Austin?"

The Blandin Foundation.

I might suggest the community get involved in a "Blatz Foundation." Here common folks would select members of our community (other than royalty) – working class people, single parents, students – both traditional and non-traditional and send them somewhere for a week or so, all expenses paid, to gain insights on ways they might begin to shed their sense of powerlessness.

They could meet in the Blatz Plant hospitality room perhaps and they wouldn’t require the psychologist Blandin provides.

The next question: What would you bring to the board?

For starters, I would have brought a six pack of apple-cinnamon biscuits to pass around. Saturday morning coffee without biscuits? I bet when the county has a Saturday morning meeting like this they probably have breakfast catered by The Old Mill along with a waitress to pass the food around and a $35 stipend for being there.

Finally, the mayor asked: "What do you do to relax when you are stressed or out of sorts?"

Heck, that one was easy. First, I get centered with my breathing and second, I always keep a wineskin tucked under my shirt.

Friday, the mayor and council will reassemble to decide and announce the new council appointee, and for the second year in a row an appointed Second Ward council person will spend that night and the next day at a council retreat. I hope they serve more than coffee.

Bob Vilt’s column appears Tuesdays