Annise Parker's Transition: What will and won't happen

This morning, Mayor-elect Annise Parker held a news conference to announce her transition team leaders.  As an indication of the international interest in our Mayor-to-be, both the Associated Press and the European Pressphoto Agency sent photographers to the event. 

Parker named the three team leaders to her transition team, each bringing their own set of skills to the table. Gilbert Garcia, who chaired her campaign, is a finance guy in his day job.  Parker also named State Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston), who is one of the few African American elected officials to publicly support Parker from the beginning of the campaign.  Finally, philanthropist Nancy Kinder is also on the team.  Having a Kinder is good for the bottom line, as her connections to the wealthy folks in town will be crucial for a city facing financial hardships. The photo above shows all three team leaders with the Mayor-elect.

Here's how her transition will go down:  Parker named eight areas of concentration her team will focus on. Each area will involve a committee that will be appointed by the team leaders. The committee topics are: Metro/transportation, housing department, contracts and personnel, relationships with other governments, neighborhood protection, permitting efficiency & procedures, public works, density and development ordinances (think Ashby Highrise,) and minority & women business enterprise contracts.  The photo on the right shows Parker's finance chair David Arpin, team leader Gilbert Garcia, and current City Hall government relations guru Darrin Hall.

You will notice that Police and Fire issues are not among the eight topics. That's because Parker plans to tackle those two subjects herself.  On the Police Chief question, Parker insists there are no lists, short or otherwise.  I believe her because two days ago, at the Police Union's Christmas party, one of her key staffers chatted up the issue with Union President Gary Blankenship.  He asked Blankenship for suggestions, names, and seemed open to everyone.  What is clear is that the Parker team does not appreciate people who float their own names out to the press.  Several people have told me that folks angling for high level appointments should remember that publicly campaigning for those jobs is not the best way to get a job.

Parker's first department head meeting will be with Chief Harold Hurtt.  Her second planned meeting is with Public Works Director Mike Marcotte.  It will continue from then on.  Expect some changes at various departments, but don't jump to conclusions yet  It will take some time.

As for the inauguration, it will be held indoors, as Parker promised her mother she would do so.  There will also be a concert for the public that evening. However, details have not been set yet.  Mark January 4th on your calendars.

Comments

[Silvana Campione]

Hello Miya,

Can you please provide me with your name, email address or contact information? I work for Boxer Property and we are planning a get together for Houston bloggers to provide a behind the scenes view of the whole story of PlazAmericas (formerly Sharpstown).

I hope you can participate.

Thank you,
Silvana Campione

[trueinnews]

The first Wiccan mayor of a major USA city!