August 26, 2017

Quite a few of you have contacted me about the above press release.  And yes, there is more to the story than the press release would indicate.  (Note:  It would be inappropriate for the City to provide the backstory.)  I was present during the last hour of qualification . . . just hanging out in the lobby in City Hall on a quiet afternoon.  And I know what you are thinking . . . Tim, you really need to get a life.  However, you must realize that for 22 months, I have devoted my life to advocating for good governance in Milton—as an ordinary private citizen with no political ambitions and zero desire for elective office.  I feel obliged to observe many events in our City government, no matter how mundane.  And I have come to realize that even mundane events/actions are opportunities for manipulation . . . and they are sometimes less mundane than they might seem.  And of course, my suspicions were aroused when Council Member Matt Kunz strolled in at 3:45 pm, 45 minutes before the qualification deadline, and disappeared into the offices behind the front desk.  Even in Milton, we must be mindful that eternal vigilance is the price of good governance.

At this point, all announced candidates—Lockwood, Rencher, Bentley, Lusk, and Jamison—had qualified (paid their fee and filed their papers, so that their names would appear on the ballot).  However, it was well-known that Joe Longoria was going to qualify.  And in fact, Joe had told me he was running for his seat and traditionally filed his papers in the last hours of qualification.  I had told Joe I would be down at the City Hall for the last hour (for the reasons stated above.)

Well, around 4:15 pm, I am starting to become concerned, as I had not seen Joe.  I spoke with the City Clerk and verified that the deadline was 4:30 pm and that Longoria had not qualified.  I became more puzzled as 4:30 pm approached.  At 4:27 pm, I received a call from Longoria:

Joe:  Hey Tim, I know you said you would be hanging out there during the last hour and just wanted to let you know I am on my way.

Tim:  Joe, qualification ends at 4:30 pm.  You’re going to miss the deadline.

Joe:  Oh no.  I thought the deadline was 5:30 pm.  Let me call Sudie.  Phone goes dead.  (Sudie is the City Clerk . . . the one with the calming DJ voice at City Council meetings that announces agenda items.)

At 4:34 pm, Joe came  running in, but it is too late.  Qualifying had ended.  However, pursuant to state law, the City has extended the qualifying period for 2 days.  A special-called Council meeting has been scheduled for 8:30 am on Monday to discuss the matter and to ensure the City is complying with the law.  And Longoria does plan to file early on Monday morning, this time leaving nothing to chance.  I plan to be at the special Council meeting and perhaps I will linger a bit in the lobby of City Hall.

(None of this is meant to impugn the reputation of Joe Longoria.  I personally like and respect Joe.  All of us get times and locations wrong from time to time.  At least half a dozen times over the last year, I have showed up at the wrong place or the wrong time for city government meetings.  And in this situation, within minutes, the technology-enabled “jungle telegraph” has already broadcast the story of the missed deadline.  I received my first text before I left City Hall!)

Oh and back to Council Member Kunz.  Mr. Kunz strolled out of the City Clerk’s office at 4:31 pm . . . one minute after the deadline had passed.  I question the appropriateness of a Council Member using his position and access to monitor qualification from an inside and advantaged position at City Hall.  And more generally, I have serious concerns about Council Members cycling through City Hall and interfering with the day-to-day operations of the City (which is prohibited under our City Code, but blatantly ignored by certain Council Members).  This is a major issue for the City.  However, that is a post for another day.  Citizens, be assured that I (and others) will continue our vigilance at city government.

Tim Becker

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Tomorrow’s post will be about Hatcher Hurd’s recent op-ed about civility in politics.