The morning after

A CLOSER LOOK

Hearts beat a little faster, and palms sweat a little juicier on election nights.

The “game” is in the fourth quarter – late fourth quarter, in fact – and all eyes are on the scoreboard.

The anticipation is as high as the corner table in Whataburger at 1 in the morning.

Who’s gonna win?

Who’s gonna lose?

SLIM LEAD

DeCordova City Councilwoman Kathy Murray was opposed for the first time in her six-year tenure. She was slightly ahead (a shaky five votes) after early voting. The two other DeCordova incumbents were behind.

Murray and her opponent, Jim Gallman, were neck and neck until the final poll was posted.

It was a game-changer.

Gallman stormed past the councilwoman, emerging the victor with 391 votes; Murray pulled in 340, a difference of 51.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Murray reflected later. “The golfers have spoken.”

Explain yourself, Kathy.

She sees it this way: The voters (the golfers) wanted a change so the DeCordova city money could be funneled into the golf course coffers. The golf course has been under scrutiny after an expensive renovation screwed up the greens, forcing temporary greens for months. No halfway serious golfer wants to play on temps. Might as well stay home and putt balls into a John Wayne coffee cup.

Murray says city money cannot be used for the golf course. City revenue (franchise fees, sales taxes from liquor sales at the club, etc.) is used for DeCordova fire, EMS and security services, she explained.

I’m not sure of the legalities, but I’m quite sure that Murray is serious when she says she’ll be on the front row at council meetings.

“I don’t take defeat well,” she said.

*****

Post-election talk Wednesday morning revealed the following:

Granbury school trustee Rhonda Rezsofi did not help herself by supporting Beto O’Rourke. Scarlet-red Hood County pounced on her for that.

Rezsofi was also vocal in her support of former Gran-bury School Superintendent Jim Largent in his failed bid last year to oust State Rep. Mike Lang (R-Granbury). Lang and his supporters didn’t forget, according to the theory.

Rezsofi was defeated by former Granbury teacher Bob Swearingen, who, according to his social media posts, is right of right and should make for an interesting board member.

Of course we thought Boy Wonder (Chris Willis) would shake things up, but so far it hasn’t happened.

If Swearingen plans to attack the status quo he could be in for a rude awakening, board president Mark Jackson suggests.

What candidates say during campaigns don’t always come true when they learn the laws and rules, the board leader indicated.

Jackson advises that school trustees should “put the kids first and foremost because that’s what we do.”

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