Houston Mayor's first 100 days - effect on Houston Real Estate?

Parker shows candor on even hot-button issues

By BRADLEY OLSON
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

April 9, 2010, 11:57PM

From the moment Mayor Annise Parker called her former mayoral opponent a “rookie campaigner” the day after she beat him, bypassing the niceties often exchanged by political foes after a bitter contest, one thing was clear: A new sheriff was in town, and she was not going to mince words.

Since Parker took office 100 days ago, her brand of political straight talk has occasionally electrified City Hall, bringing a marked change of direction from her predecessor's handling of a wide range of issues and departments.

Examples abound.

The new mayor chided the fire chief's handling of a controversial “team-building” exercise that he admitted had gone awry, prompting his unexpected retirement. She took on the Metropolitan Transit Authority, making clear her intention to replace its CEO and repeating again and again her opinion that the agency was unaccountable to the public. Parker also threw into doubt Metro's plan for financing five light rail lines, saying she thought the funding was only secure for three.

She also didn't hesitate to break with former Mayor Bill White, embracing budget-cutting options or water rate increases that were verboten in his administration. Parker even went so far as to say the city had been spending more than its taken in “for years,” prompting the campaign of Republican Gov. Rick Perry, whom White is challenging as a Democrat in November, to immediately use her comments in a political attack.

‘Tough stuff ahead'

Her frank approach to the big problems confronting the city, particularly a looming $140 million shortfall, has so far won her many compliments, even from one of the most ardent of White's skeptics.

“She's got some really tough stuff ahead of her, and I'm glad to see she intends to take it head on,” said Bill King, who sharply criticized White's handling of the city budget.

The austere pronouncements that initially won over Houston voters will continue to bring her support, he said, turning on its head the notion that politicians must always bring good tidings.

“I really think that if she's straightforward and honest with the people of Houston and explains what the issues are, they'll admire her for it,” he said. “I think the public is hungry to hear from someone who will say look, we can't afford everything and we have to make some hard choices.”

But to some, Parker's directness and tough public criticism has at times come off as harsh and entirely unnecessary. At least once, it has also forced her to backtrack from a controversial announcement.

On Wednesday, she declared her intention to “break up” the fire station where racist and sexist graffiti were found scrawled in the quarters of female firefighters. Parker said at a news conference that she planned to transfer firefighters there to other stations, only to find out later that day that many had already relocated or could not be transferred because they had specialized training.

Former Metro Chairman David Wolff accused the mayor of “beating up” on the agency to score political points, questioning why she asked him to stay on until other board members could be seated, only to serve up blistering critiques of his leadership of the agency afterwards.

Wolff also said many board members were upset with a letter Parker sent in March asking them to defer action on any major items until she could make five new appointments to the nine-person board.

After Wolff consulted with a Parker aide, nothing was put off, raising questions about why the letter was necessary, he said.

“I guess you could say it's her personal style to be critical, but there was no basis in fact,” he said. Wolff defended Metro President and CEO Frank Wilson, whom Parker has said should be replaced, noting that Wilson has managed to secure a $900 million grant for light rail construction in President Obama's budget.

“I think he's done a pretty good job, not that he's perfect,” he said. “When has she ever gotten $1 billion from the federal government?”

Compared to White and former Mayor Bob Lanier, Parker got off to a slow start early on, only to sweepingly wrap up the final month of her first 100 days by inking a stadium deal, naming a new police chief, appointing five new Metro board members and selling the former Compaq Center to Lakewood Church.

Building consensus

City Councilman Mike Sullivan said Parker has earned his respect and that of other council members by laying everything on the table.

“Some people could say, given her experience, how could she not know what she wanted to do?” he said. “But in fact, it's a difference in style. She very much knows what she wants to do, but she's building more consensus, so it's taking a little longer.”

Not everyone is as satisfied with the pace.

Councilman C.O. Bradford, who sharply criticized Parker's handling of the Lakewood Church land deal, said more could have been done sooner to bring the budget in line.

“The budget itself is critical now, but it has been critical for several months,” he said, suggesting that the mayor could have immediately implemented voluntary furloughs to cut costs or taken other quicker steps.”

Former Houston Mayor Fred Hofheinz said Parker should be commended for initiating more cooperation with Harris County and for facing up to the need to drastically raise water rates.

“Water bills are very sensitive, historically, in Houston, and they generally hit the people that can least afford to pay them, people who help mayors win elections,” he said. “She's playing with fire, but she's doing the right thing.”

bradley.olson@chron.com