Politics is a blood sport in this 'burg

With the Port of Houston and Harris County attempted to force a huge new expansion of the Port facilities on Seabrook, local politics have become a much more serious and polarizing affair. Particularly when you have people like Margaret Kidd-Duncan, a Seabrook city councilwoman, who seem to have forgotten who she was elected to represent.

Jeers erupted in Seabrook City Council chambers Tuesday after Councilwoman Margaret Kidd Duncan said opposing the Port of Houston Bayport expansion would be "almost un-American."

Kidd Duncan made the remark during a discussion of whether the city should reaffirm support for the city of Pasadena's opposition to the Bayport location.

She said the debate had taken on national implications with President Bush's signing Tuesday of a global trade act designed to stimulate the economies of countries in Latin and South America.

"It's almost un-American to be fighting something that is supported on the presidential level," Kidd Duncan said.

After the comment evoked a loud outcry from some audience members, Kidd Duncan asked a city police officer to "withdraw anyone who interrupts the meeting."

She said such comments were limited to the public comments portion of the meeting.

"I will not be interrupted by the public," Kidd Duncan said.

The council has previously adopted guidelines restricting applause and vocal reactions from audience members.

Kidd Duncan's request for police intervention drew an immediate reaction from Councilman Pete Braccio.

"Councilor does not have the authority to direct the police officer," he said.

"I know," responded Mayor Robin Riley, who had earlier joked about often serving as a referee during council meetings.

Normally, I've managed to take a jaundiced but distanced view of Seabrook politics. It's always seemed like a small number of people taking themselves WAY too seriously. Well, now we all have reason to take things seriously, and it's about time Ms. Duncan remembered who put her in office in the first place

Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2002 17:36:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Jack Cluth"
Subject: Un-American??
To: mkduncan@seabrook-tx.com


I am appalled that you have seen fit to characterize those of us who oppose the Bayport project (which, though you haven't bothered to notice, is a substantial majority of Seabrook residents) as "un-American". Since when does Bayport have anything to do with what is happening on the (as you put it) "presidential level"? Even if it did, why does thinking independently qualify anyone as "un-American"?

I would remind you that you were elected to represent the people of Seabrook- not your own narrow political or financial interests. Seabrook has run people out of office before, and it can be done again. Your attitude toward those who put you in office to begin with is reprehensible. Your job as councilwoman is dependent upon the continued good will of the people who elected you to represent them. I would suggest that you take recent Seabrook political history into account should you again feel the urge to demean and insult your constituents.

Judging from the list of your campaign donors, I suppose you have little choice but to provide the donors what they paid for. It is sad that you have chosen to be a divisive force at a time when Seabrook faces a legitimate threat to it's long-term future. We need vision and leadership from our City Council, not name-calling and grandstanding. We deserve better from our elected representatives.

If more of us would lay this message on the regal Ms. Duncan, perhaps she would remember how she got to where she is to begin with. Of course, this is also the same woman who has referred to environmentalists as "terrorists". I'll probably just get lumped together with the rest of the "terrorists".