Thursday, February 9, 2012

Lessons From Kids' Sports

Zac Crain, in FrontBurner, relates a lesson from his experience coaching his young son's basketball team. Crain's story involves poor sportsmanship on the part of parents of the opposing team. His point is muddled somewhat by Crain revealing that his own son was ejected from the game for committing a flagrant intentional foul, but, hey, Crain's point comes through anyway: "Sports Parents Need to CHILL."

After the jump, my own lessons.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Help Wanted: Apply at City Hall

Longtime Richardson City Manager Bill Keffler announced his retirement yesterday. He's served as City Manager for 17 years. Congratulations to Mr. Keffler on his retirement and thanks to him for his 35 years of service to the city of Richardson. Keffler's retirement compounds the changes Richardson is undergoing at city hall. Last year, longtime mayor Gary Slagel stepped down. For years, city government in Richardson was almost synonymous with the Slagel/Keffler partnership.

Due to Richardson's council-manager form of government, the role of city manager is a particularly strong one. The city council sets policy for the city and has the responsibility to hire the city manager, but day-to-day execution of city business is in the hands of the city manager. It's that responsibility to hire another great city manager that now falls to this city council. Because of Keffler's long tenure, no one on this city council has any experience doing that. I urge them to take their time, to act independently and resist outside influence, to conduct a wide and thorough search, and to choose someone who is a strong leader, an able manager, a good communicator and will always have the best interests of Richardson at heart.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Richardson 45, Berkner 51


The Berkner Rams extended their District 9-5A leading record to 11-1 Tuesday night, beating the Richardson Eagles 51-45 on the Rams' home court. The win clinched the district championship for Berkner. Berkner closes out their season with away games against Sunset (Friday, Feb. 10) and Samuell (Tuesday, Feb. 14).

Winter in the Steger Garden (2012)

From Flowers

The calendar says Winter but the daffodils say Spring.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Selection, Election, and my Defection

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,
adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.
I'm allowed to change my mind. I've done it before. Now, I'm doing it again. After long opposing the direct election of the mayor of Richardson, I'm now in favor.

After the jump, my reasoning, not that reason is all that important here.