On the New City Manager 'Profile'

On ACLU Austin leader Debbie Russell's words about the CM's profile: here's the first major plea before the dais to give Futrell the boot before her planned farewell in May, for her not to "hand-hold" the new CM. With all the conflicts-of-interest and dubious deals that definitely don't meet the fabled "appearance of impropriety" smell test, can you blame her? Debs sez Austin's got to avoid "new overlap from this old reign that might serve to infect the new." A little melodramatic, but, hey.

Of course, to this Will Wynn gets pissy and says, "we're here to discuss the profile of the new City Manager, not discuss the performance of the current one. Talk about whipped! Keep expecting glowing Statesman editorials about the namby-pambiness of your office – we honestly can't say they're not warranted. If not for you, then at least for future mayors, shit – show a little backbone.

Richard Franklin, Black Austin Democrats, says the new CM needs "impeccable integrity." Burn! "How do I explain (to kids I mentor) when money is misdirected, misappropriated … and they're no calls for a full investigation … The buck has to stop with the City Manger," but rightly, notes a council unwilling to push back bears as much blame. Brings up how much the Convention Center delay of Austin's bond ratings will cost the city. Awesome. Franklin is one to watch.