Monks Jazz Club
Fallback Option
RECEIVED Sat., Oct. 8, 2022
Dear Editor,
In his recently released campaign ad, Kirk Watson claims he “never stops, and never backs down.” In addition to donning a motorcycle helmet, Kirk dons the false mantle of a leader who never quits. His leadership record, however, falls well short of his rhetoric.
Kirk Watson claims to be a champion who has always fought for our rights, but reality shows that every time Kirk Watson has had an opportunity to move on to greener pastures, he has taken it.
He left Austin in the middle of his second term as mayor to unsuccessfully run for higher office, then he left in the middle of his term as state senator to take a plum position as dean of the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs, and then he left the University of Houston because the COVID-19 pandemic made his job “too hard.” Now, he is running for mayor of Austin two decades after quitting the same position as a fallback after a long career.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Senator Watson and his service. Still, I have to observe that he’s had his attention distracted by new opportunities. With the crisis we are facing in this city, we cannot afford a mayor who views City Hall as a fallback option. At this critical time, Austin needs a mayor who is singularly focused on Austin. Time and time again, Celia Israel has shown us her commitment to finishing a job.
In his recently released campaign ad, Kirk Watson claims he “never stops, and never backs down.” In addition to donning a motorcycle helmet, Kirk dons the false mantle of a leader who never quits. His leadership record, however, falls well short of his rhetoric.
Kirk Watson claims to be a champion who has always fought for our rights, but reality shows that every time Kirk Watson has had an opportunity to move on to greener pastures, he has taken it.
He left Austin in the middle of his second term as mayor to unsuccessfully run for higher office, then he left in the middle of his term as state senator to take a plum position as dean of the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs, and then he left the University of Houston because the COVID-19 pandemic made his job “too hard.” Now, he is running for mayor of Austin two decades after quitting the same position as a fallback after a long career.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Senator Watson and his service. Still, I have to observe that he’s had his attention distracted by new opportunities. With the crisis we are facing in this city, we cannot afford a mayor who views City Hall as a fallback option. At this critical time, Austin needs a mayor who is singularly focused on Austin. Time and time again, Celia Israel has shown us her commitment to finishing a job.
Pete Gilcrease
