stevenpiziks (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
stevenpiziks) wrote2019-11-04 06:46 pm
stevenpiziks) wrote2019-11-04 06:46 pm
Entry tags:
Albion Meet and Greet
It turned out that spouses were "free to come" to the meet-and-greet. I've learned this is code for "the queen commands your presence." So that Friday, I dutifully packed a suitcase and headed out with Darwin.
The role of political spouse doesn't come easily for me. I'm always afraid I'll say something wrong or inappropriate. And the people who put on these functions never, ever tell spouses what their role is, so I have to make it up as I go. I've become aware that my biggest function is to build Darwin up in public. (Fortunately, this isn't difficult, since Darwin's many fine qualities become fast evident anyway.) I become his sort-of wing man.
We checked into the hotel--a brand new Marriott smack in the middle of downtown--and trotted over to the meet-and-greet, which was held in a storefront that was recently converted by Albion College into a kind of office space and community center. To my surprise, the place was packed. There must have been over 100 people there at any given time. I was surprised because in most towns, the citizens don't even know they have a city manager, let alone show up to a sort of pre-interview for one.
Here I need to remind everyone that Darwin and I are a same-sex couple. Long ago, I learned to introduce myself with, "Hi! I'm Steven Piziks, Darwin's husband." Before I started doing that, people often thought I was a strange little hanger-on. I still find I'm bracing myself for a bad reaction, but in all the time I've been doing this, I've only had one. Just about everyone simply smiles and nods. Occasionally there's a tiny pause while they rearrange synapses, but nothing major. The sole exception I'll explain in a minute.
At the meet-and-greet, the handshaking began the moment we walked in. We met various city councilors, business people, "ordinary" citizens, representatives from the college, reporters, and more. The other three candidates were there as well. Despite my reticence about attending these events, I've gotten good at them. Decades of teaching and years of shmoozing at SF conventions have taught me how to work a crowd. Later, Darwin observed, "People are drawn to you, Steven. Have you noticed that?" I said I haven't--everyone is there to see Darwin, not me. But he maintains that I'm better at this side of the job than he is anyway. So we make a good team.
A group of people quickly gathered around Darwin. After a while, I ended up stationed next to him, where I kept the line moving. After Darwin had talked to a particular person for a minute or two, I turned to the person next in line, shook hands, and started a conversation. This would signal Darwin and the other person that someone was waiting, and they would draw their talk to a close so Darwin could start in with the next person.
At one point, one of the other candidates introduced himself to me, talked for a bit, then started asking some rather probing questions about Darwin and his background. I spotted that for what it was, gave a couple non-committal answers, and switched things around by asking him questions about himself. This worked. He launched into an explanation of himself and his family and forgot all about his "spy" mission. Meanwhile, I later relayed everything he said back to Darwin. Of course.
The mayor gave a little speech and announced each of the candidates would now stand up and tell a little about themselves, followed by questions from the citizens. The citizens had the chance to fill out comment cards about each candidate for the council.
I have to say that out of the four candidates, Darwin clearly stood out. He was calm and poised and articulate. He gave specific examples and ideas about how he could help Albion and made it clear he'd done extensive research into the town. When we visited Albion the first time, several people we talked to complained about Albion's woes--little downtown activity, small town blight, and so on. Darwin pointed out that previous Albion administrations wanted to restore the city by bringing back the factories, but Darwin firmly stated that this would not work. The factories aren't coming back, he said, and Albion needs to look to the future and capitalize on its other resources--the college, the rivers, the recreational opportunities, the knowledge economy, and more. This brought nods and murmurs of approval all around the room.
And then Darwin dropped the bomb. He said, "I was eating at the Little Red Lunchbox and I talked to Sue."
The citizens applauded and roared. I shot a glance at the other candidates who were waiting to speak, and I could see the "oh, damn" moment cross their faces. I later told Darwin that I was taking full credit for that one because he ate at the Lunchbox only after I made him. I'm dying to know how many of them mentioned the incident on their comment cards.
In the morning, Darwin put on his interview suit and walked from the hotel to city hall for the interview while I packed up the room and found breakfast for us. He came back and reported that the interview had gone very well. Later, we watched the videos of the interviews on-line and agreed that Darwin would get the job.
That was when the complications arose.
The role of political spouse doesn't come easily for me. I'm always afraid I'll say something wrong or inappropriate. And the people who put on these functions never, ever tell spouses what their role is, so I have to make it up as I go. I've become aware that my biggest function is to build Darwin up in public. (Fortunately, this isn't difficult, since Darwin's many fine qualities become fast evident anyway.) I become his sort-of wing man.
We checked into the hotel--a brand new Marriott smack in the middle of downtown--and trotted over to the meet-and-greet, which was held in a storefront that was recently converted by Albion College into a kind of office space and community center. To my surprise, the place was packed. There must have been over 100 people there at any given time. I was surprised because in most towns, the citizens don't even know they have a city manager, let alone show up to a sort of pre-interview for one.
Here I need to remind everyone that Darwin and I are a same-sex couple. Long ago, I learned to introduce myself with, "Hi! I'm Steven Piziks, Darwin's husband." Before I started doing that, people often thought I was a strange little hanger-on. I still find I'm bracing myself for a bad reaction, but in all the time I've been doing this, I've only had one. Just about everyone simply smiles and nods. Occasionally there's a tiny pause while they rearrange synapses, but nothing major. The sole exception I'll explain in a minute.
At the meet-and-greet, the handshaking began the moment we walked in. We met various city councilors, business people, "ordinary" citizens, representatives from the college, reporters, and more. The other three candidates were there as well. Despite my reticence about attending these events, I've gotten good at them. Decades of teaching and years of shmoozing at SF conventions have taught me how to work a crowd. Later, Darwin observed, "People are drawn to you, Steven. Have you noticed that?" I said I haven't--everyone is there to see Darwin, not me. But he maintains that I'm better at this side of the job than he is anyway. So we make a good team.
A group of people quickly gathered around Darwin. After a while, I ended up stationed next to him, where I kept the line moving. After Darwin had talked to a particular person for a minute or two, I turned to the person next in line, shook hands, and started a conversation. This would signal Darwin and the other person that someone was waiting, and they would draw their talk to a close so Darwin could start in with the next person.
At one point, one of the other candidates introduced himself to me, talked for a bit, then started asking some rather probing questions about Darwin and his background. I spotted that for what it was, gave a couple non-committal answers, and switched things around by asking him questions about himself. This worked. He launched into an explanation of himself and his family and forgot all about his "spy" mission. Meanwhile, I later relayed everything he said back to Darwin. Of course.
The mayor gave a little speech and announced each of the candidates would now stand up and tell a little about themselves, followed by questions from the citizens. The citizens had the chance to fill out comment cards about each candidate for the council.
I have to say that out of the four candidates, Darwin clearly stood out. He was calm and poised and articulate. He gave specific examples and ideas about how he could help Albion and made it clear he'd done extensive research into the town. When we visited Albion the first time, several people we talked to complained about Albion's woes--little downtown activity, small town blight, and so on. Darwin pointed out that previous Albion administrations wanted to restore the city by bringing back the factories, but Darwin firmly stated that this would not work. The factories aren't coming back, he said, and Albion needs to look to the future and capitalize on its other resources--the college, the rivers, the recreational opportunities, the knowledge economy, and more. This brought nods and murmurs of approval all around the room.
And then Darwin dropped the bomb. He said, "I was eating at the Little Red Lunchbox and I talked to Sue."
The citizens applauded and roared. I shot a glance at the other candidates who were waiting to speak, and I could see the "oh, damn" moment cross their faces. I later told Darwin that I was taking full credit for that one because he ate at the Lunchbox only after I made him. I'm dying to know how many of them mentioned the incident on their comment cards.
In the morning, Darwin put on his interview suit and walked from the hotel to city hall for the interview while I packed up the room and found breakfast for us. He came back and reported that the interview had gone very well. Later, we watched the videos of the interviews on-line and agreed that Darwin would get the job.
That was when the complications arose.
no subject
WHAT NEXT?!
lol
(pokes at computer) I know you don't live in there but I still want to hear the "and then". And yes, this is your life, not a story... So I'm really hoping it's a good "and then".
no subject
Honestly, I have to admit I am wondering whether this town in its present circumstances can pay Darwin a high enough salary for you guys to manage if you retire.