Everyone that ever met Peter Brown is grieving his departure from planet Earth this week.

We know that he is in his pedestrian utopia with wide sidewalks, clear wayfinding, well-designed tree-lined streets and intersections with safe crossings.

I first met Peter Brown in the 1980’s. At that time Peter was very involved with the city on visioning and planning for long-term designs of Houston. He was so ahead of his time in worrying about flooding and design that did not encourage quality of life. In fact, it may be that I first learned that phrase from Peter – quality of life. Who cared? Very few as it was the bottom of the 80’s oil boom. We just needed to survive.

As a young woman, I would listen to Peter envision the city that I live in today. It’s hard when you are young to think past the next day, much less 30 – 50 years down the road. But Peter was always looking forward.

Peter never stopped looking forward either. From pushing for mobility to pedestrian pathways to improved parks and urban spaces.

Off and on for years, Peter and I would meet about once a quarter for breakfast at the Avalon Diner. First and foremost, Peter always cared about the person. He would want an update on life and self and would share his as well. Then, he would start telling me visions and ideas.

When Peter first announced he was interested in running for public office, I challenged him. I thought he was too pure and too visionary to be corrupted by public office. Once again, my friend Peter proved me wrong. He held tight to his steadfast beliefs and was a servant leader, always focusing on what was best for Houston. He embedded the term “quality of life” in the governance of the city.

I am so grateful that I had some time to visit with Peter in his final weeks. We talked a little politics and then I shared my idea to start a non-profit on sidewalks when I shift gears in the future. Even while not feeling well, he had me tightening up the idea and telling me what I needed to do to make it happen. He then told me, “Let’s do it!” I’m not ready yet, but will get there in the future.

Meanwhile Peter, we miss you with all our hearts.

To the Brown family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Know that grief is a part of the process and that many more are grieving with you. Take your time to feel the pain and then remember your treasures and fondest memories.

This caucus has one of the most thorough screening and endorsement processes of most organizations. They initially send a questionnaire to candidates. In the distant past, just returning the questionnaire earned points in the community but these days it is the opposite. If you don’t return the questionnaire, you are in a small minority.

Once they have received responses, they embark upon a rigorous screening process replete with assesments and scores of the candidate’s stance on relevant issues, electoral viability, and much more. The screening committee then makes recommendations to the full organization and all members are invited to participate in the final decision.

It is not unusual for the screening committee recommendation to be overturned by the organization. In fact, in big races it happens often. This year, five of the seven Mayoral candiates vigorously sought the caucus endorsement. The committee recommended Adrian Garcia while Stephen Costello received the highest score from them.  Garcia and Turner had near even scores. Chris Bell, a long-time ally of the community and the organization, received a surprisingly low score. Committee members indicated concerns about his electoral viability. Marty McVey received the lowest score but still appeared and asked the group for their support. Bill King submitted a questionnaire but chose not to screen with the organization. Ben Hall did not respond.

With five candidates seeking their endorsement, the meeting broke into raucus debate over who should ultimately receive their blessing. Sylvester Turner garnered the most votes and had some of the highest profile people in the community speaking on his behalf – from the early founders to former Elected Officials to current colleage students. Emotions ran deep.

As the caucus endorsement has been more sought after, the process has come under scrutiny. Many people are claiming that Turner “bought” the endorsement because he paid memberships for his supporters.

Personally, I have always viewed the endorsement for races of this magnitude as a representation of which candidate is best organized. Paid memberships or not, he got the crowd out for the vote and drove the process in his favor. It seemed that other candidates did not work as hard at organizing within the membership. The Turner campaign had their act together for the meeting.

In my humble opinion, all five of the candidates come out winners. The community knows that they are friendly to their issues and concerns. As the community grows, matures and expands, they will have more options of people to support. That is happening now.

The bigger question is does the endorsement matter? Well, yes and no. In a Mayoral race, people are much more aware of the candidates and engage at a higher level. The endorsement will have a much greater impact on the Council races, school board, etc. In these races, many progressive voters that support GLBT issues will follow their endorsement recommendations.

Congrats to the community! Now, if I can just garner invite to the C (Conservative) Endorsement meeting…………..

While I noticed the Chronicle wrote a story on the subject, for the most part, I nearly missed the topic when I was out. There was not much buzz about it. Of course, the incumbent elected officials at City Hall are thrilled. It means they can build war chests and strong-arm donors all year long. It brings the permanent campaign to City Hall.

Passed back in the early 90’s, shortly after the adoption of term limits, the time limits allowed Council Members basically one year without fundraising. During that year, everyone at City Hall could focus on the issues and handling the city’s business. Of course, it is always political.

Now, City Hall will be no different than the U.S. Congress. Every day, incumbents will be thinking about their war chests and check lists of donors will be maintained. Before a meeting, a staffer will check to see if the visitor is in “good standing”. Granted, this blogger may be a little cynical but we’ve been around for a long time, before the limits were imposed on donations and before term limits.

Even term-limited Council Members will be able to raise money on their way out the door that they can use for their next campaign or to support other candidates.

Probably one of the most corrupting factors in American politics today is the influence of outside money and the ever-escalating costs of campaigining to a dwindling pool of voters.

The City of Houston has now fallen backwards in a critical ethics path. We can’t blame City Hall but we can ask that our Elected Officials remember the folks in their governing and not just those who can afford to play the game of politics.

Sigh……………

My Dad was truly an amazing man though mostly just appeared to be humble and normal. For the most part, he was. He worked hard to support his family, he was kind and patient and followed the rules.

But there was so much more. Growing up with him was a true blessing for me. He was the kind one and didn’t like the discipline part of being a father very much. He had the patience of Job as he managed to teach me to drive and when my own politics began to develop, vastly different from his own.

He blessed me with so many East Texas “country” sayings that I find myself using them in the work place today to the shock and awe of younger team members.

Dad was funny. He had a way of teaching life lessons without being harsh. When I was blessed with a car, he made me learn to change the tires and the oil. “If you are going to have a car, you have to know how to take care of it”, he would say. Don’t ask me to do this today but I was whiz at it through my college years.

Dad was a chain smoker and that is what took his life in the end, though he hadn’t smoked in more than 30+ years. He wanted to make sure I didn’t pick up the habit. When he picked me up from school in the 6th grade and saw some friends smoking (hey it was the 70’s), he asked me if I might want to try one. He and my Mom both smoked so I said sure. He made me inhale that thing until I threw up and I never wanted a cigarette again in my life. That was how he handled things.

As a young adult, I leaned on my Dad for financial and career advice. My hard work ethic came from him. He worked hard and considered it a priorty to support your family. He was dedicated and pulled double shifts at the plant anytime he could. He would tell me it would mean more money for college. In the last few years, he would tell me I worked too much and I would remind him where I learned it.

When my child was born, it was probably the greatest thing that had happened to him. Becoming a grandfather was the highlight event of his life. He rejoiced in that kid and spoiled her rotten. He would sit on the floor for hours playing with the child and later initiated weekly trips to McDonald’s. No one could take the kid to McDonald’s but him so it was a real treat. As she grew, he rejoiced in her every achievement.

Most of all, my Dad was kind. His kindess permeated everything he did. He was always kind and would stop to pick up a puppy off the side of the road or to help one of the neighborhood boys who might not have been so blessed as I was. As he moved to eldercare, he was kind to everyone and they all treasured him.

I was so lucky to grow up with my Dad. I thank my lucky stars for him every day. He helped make me the person I have become.

And that, my friends, is how the “cow ate the cabbage.”

At the end of the year, President Obama resoundingly won re-election and the Republicans lost swing states that were expected to swing their way.  Was it Mitt Romney?  Not really.   It was more the message of the GOP and loose-cannon candidates that made outrageous comments that sounded early last century along the campaign trail.

In their post-election analysis, they have learned a few things and announced recently that they plan to spend $10,000,000 on outreach to minority communities.  Though in America, using the term “minority” is becoming more of a reference than a fact.  They plan to put people in these “communities” and have them become a part of the “community”.  Hey Latinos, Asians and African-Americans – the GOP is hiring!

Meanwhile, they are desperately seeking candidates that will reflect their new messaging and outreach.  What better person than a Latino named Bush?  It really doesn’t get any better than that.  At one time referred to as “the little Brown ones” by their Grandfather George H.W. Bush when speaking of Jeb Bush’s children, they are grown up now.

George P. Bush is the grandson and nephew of two Presidents and the son of a former Governor married to a Latina.  He has announced his intention to seek the office of Texas Land Commissioner.  George P. is an attorney and has been actively recruiting Latinos to the GOP.   Texas Republicans are thrilled, of course, as it will put a Bush back on the ballot in 2014.

How will all of this help the GOP in 2016?  We’ll wait, watch and analyze.

This Session brings many new faces to Austin and possibly new perspectives.  Will it be less politically driven than in the last few years?  Some are optimistic as budget figures are stronger than last Session and national elections have passed.  I, however, don’t think this is the case.  Many of the incoming Freshman defeated incumbents in Republican primaries and most of them are more conservative.  This will make every Republican legislator concerned about their own primaries for 2014.  They know that every vote cast may generate opposition for them in primary elections.  So, let’s not count on this Session being less “politically charged” than previous years.

What does this theory mean for issues like education, health care, infrastructure, water and more?  It’s hard to say. Freshman will quickly learn that their philosophy will sometimes meet the needs of their district.  If it means bending a little to ensure their communities have access to roads and water, they may do so.  It will be fun to watch and see.

However, we can expect that the usual “high drama” topics that ensure one’s position on targeted issues will be discussed during the session.

There is also lots of discussion about revisiting business taxation and determining if the rates can possibly be lowered.

Education will always be a topic for the Texas Legislature.  It is controversial from the point of funding, testing, infrastructure, athletics, performance, teachers, students, parents and more.  This is not new.  In my more than 30 years of participating in and/or observing the Legislature, education is always one of the most dominant topics.  I like to think of Texas education as part of an experiment.  We throw things at the wall and see what sticks.  There is some discussion about standardized testing and it is possible the lege will revisit this topic.  Let’s hope so.  I’m no fan of the current system.  How best to pay the bill for the millions of Texas children to have access to learning will dominate all debates.  However, there is a pending lawsuit that may bump this topic to a special session.

The budget will still be the most important topic of debate this session.  Count on it.

What about gaming, highway funding, water and other topics?  Don’t hold out hope for much movement or action on these topics.

So, buckle-up and settle in for the roller coaster ride of the Texas Legislature.

Some of the most viewed blogs this year were tributes to special people I have known or had the privilege of working with over the years. Interestingly, I have seen little mention of most of them in Houston year end tributes. As a reminder, my tributes included Clymer Wright (who led the effort for term limits), Kay Crooker (long-time Planning Commissioner and civic leader), Council Member Ernest McGowen, and State Senator Mario Gallegos.

The most read blog other than these was the Mayoral Retrospective that highlighted my own theory on Houston Mayoral elections. You can read it here. Of course, it was written in summer and now we have an expected strong mayoral race in 2013. Will the theory hold?

The third blog of the year focused on the Iowa caucuses and we pondered all Presidential primaries, party conventions, debates and localized the elections. Another very popular blog was our revelation of all the bonds and Metro issues that were being considered locally, first written in May. That was, apparently, breaking news to many of our readers. In fact, all of the bonds were placed on the ballot as well as the Metro election.

We also provided coverage on local government issues like the city budget, feeding ordinance, Hobby airport expansion, pensions, drainage fees, regionalism and county issues. We tried to dissect the Astrodome conversation and it appears our analysis was dead on as nothing has changed.

We pondered most of the major news items of the day. The one topic I could not cover was the Sandy Hook shooting. It was just too personally painful for me as a parent and I felt my insights were not unique.

As we wrap this year, I want to thank all of you who drop by to read the blog, comment and share it. I sometimes feel as if I’m writing in the wilderness and then someone sends me a note or thanks me at an event. It means so much.

Thanks again and farewell to 2012!

With polls leaning in Obama’s favor, some are already talking about who might run for President in 2016. Sure, that sounds like a long way off from now but not if you are considering a Presidential run. In fact, that race will begin the minute this one ends. Mitt Romney would not be the Republican nominee today if he had ever stopped campaigning since 2008. He won his party’s nomination through a very strong organization and a significant financial base. He has basically been running for President for about 8 years.

However, I’m more interested in the elections just around the corner. A client asked me about a certain Houston City Council Member the other day and as we were discussing a relative topic, I realized the person was term-limited. I pointed out to my client that City elections really launch their campaigns in February. I wish you could have heard the other end of the phone as they screeched at me that I had to be kidding.

No,really, I wasn’t kidding. The insider circles in Houston are buzzing about the 2013 local elections. Will the Mayor have a major opponent? Will incumbent Council Members have opponents? Who will run for the term-limited positions? The conversation is endless.

So take a deep breath folks, you just think it all ends on November 6. In fact, it will just be a brief respite. In January, the Legislature convenes and in February, the fundraising window for city elections opens.

There’s never a dull political moment in the Houston election cycle.

Former Council Member Ernest McGowen was a most gracious, kind and patient leader. When I read the Chronicle story, my eyes stung with tears but I was also saddened by the simple platitudes put forth for this great leader. I realize that few people in power today or the bright young reporters ever had a chance to work with him as a Council Member.

In my younger years, I spent time on the staff of a Mayor and many years campaigning for Council Members. Ernest McGowen was one of the first generation of African-American leaders. He approached problems with a graciousness that brought people together to solve their differences. While some have focused on “he passed this Ordinance or that Ordinance”, I would say his impact was much greater. His ability to bridge communities was his greatest strength. It’s not such a tangible skill or one that is recognized upon one’s passing. But through the 1980’s, as Houston struggled to live together peacefully with our ever-changing demographics, Ernest McGowen could be counted on to unite people for what was right and to cross the vast bridges that existed between communities. I know of few greater contributions to society.

Kay Crooker also passed away this week. She was much less well-known to the multitudes of Houstonians but one of those rare people who worked tirelessly to make the City better, without recognition. Her southern charm belied her “steel magnolia” nature. In a time when developers controlled the city with unlimited power and reach, Mrs. Crooker organized neighborhoods and helped redefine deed restrictions. Her efforts resulted in the preservation of many distinct neighborhoods across the city. She would go anywhere and help any one who asked to preserve their community. By founding the Houston Homeowners Association, she gave voice to the residents of the City.

As a member of the Planning Commission for more than 25 years, Mrs. Crooker always spoke up for the impact a variance or permit might have on “the neighbors”. The amazing thing about her was her extremely polite, patient and gracious manner. She was so nice that it was very hard to tell her no, if you disagreed. I watched many a aggressive developer wilt under her charm. She also dedicated herself to beautifying Houston. When she and former Council Member Eleanor Tinsley joined forces, there was little that could be done to stop them.

The blend of Kay Crooker and Ernest McGowen working together helped to make improvements in underserved neighborhoods across the City. Two amazing contributors to the City we know today.

Lastly, Neil Armstrong. While not currently a Houstonian, he certainly lived here for many years. He was America’s hero and few would consider him “unsung”. He will forever be the “first man to walk on the moon”. His walk across that moon helped to put Houston on the global map and has helped us to retain our image as an innovative city, unafraid to go forward.

Paying my respects…………