Galveston mayor likely to keep power after meeting

[tannybogus]

Earlier today in Galveston, a meeting to extend the emergency powers of Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas ended abruptly today when one of the three council members needed for a quorum walked out.

The lack of council action leaves Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas to unilaterally extend her powers another seven days. The current seven-day emergency powers order is set to expire today at noon.

Council Member Danny Weber, who supported extending Thomas' powers, left the meeting out of frustration with Council Member Elizabeth Beeton's criticisms of Thomas' work.

Beeton said she was willing to extend Thomas' powers for two more days, allowing time for other council members to make it to a full meeting. Beeton described a situation on the island in which some residents are being given preferential treatment while most are left to fend for themselves. Those with political connections, Beeton said, are being allowed to return and fix up their property, while others aren't.

Mayor Thomas pleaded with Beeton not to sidetrack the meeting, which was held at a folding card table in the lobby of the Galveston County Justice Center, and urged her to approve the extension of her emergency powers.

"We all have the same problems," the mayor told Beeton. "We are a third-world country in this day and age."

The mayor detailed how difficult her job has been the past week.

"All of this has been step by step by step," Thomas said. She paused for a few seconds then tearfully continued, "I don't need this job. I didn't ask for it."

Turning to Beeton, she said, "Don't cut the city off like this."

Beeton stood her ground, asking the city attorney to research whether they could vote to extend the powers for 48 hours until the rest of the council could arrive and discuss.

At that point, Weber accused Beeton of grandstanding.

"There's absolutely nothing to it, Elizabeth," Weber said to Beeton. "You're clueless as to what emergency management is."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6006746.html

Well they are getting along well. Didn't the mayor run for her job? or is she talking about managing an emergency? I'm confused.:shrug: