Locke Asks: What's In It For You?

That was the startling question Locke said we should all ask ourselves, at the end of the ABC13 mayoral debate in his closing remarks (view the video of that short segment here). It's a very different question than I'm used to hearing public servants ask. Something more along the lines of, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" is the servant leader talk that spurs me on to action to make my community a better place for everyone. I couldn't help but wonder if this is what lawyer lobbyist Locke negotiates in his endorsement screenings, "Tell me what's in it for you and I'll promise THAT."

Looking around the internet, I see other people are asking what's in it for Locke, and what's in it for his supporters.

John Coby asks, "What's in it for the homebuilders?" after he perused Locke's 8-day out report where he saw at least $38,000 in donations from homebuilders.

Erik, in Whitless Humorings, asks, "What's in it for the Republican consulting firm, the Eppstein Group" He gives an example of what's been in it for Bryan Eppstein with a candidate he got elected:

He works effectively on behalf of his clients, and in return they pay him handsomely and give him a political handout.For example, two years ago, he helped elect Jim Lane and Marty Leonard to the Tarrant Regional Water District Board. Soon after, the board turned around and gave Eppstein two no-bid contracts for crafting a public relations strategy for its half-billion dollar plan to redirect the Trinity River as it meanders through downtown Fort Worth.

What's in it for Locke? Ted Oberg notes that Locke will make $600,000 less as mayor than he did last year as a lawyer-lobbyist. It makes you wonder what future money deal Locke has made with his law firm, so that he continues to benefit from Andrews Kurth's City contracts. These questions from Parker remain unanswered:

1. Will you release within one week your divestment and payout plan with Andrews Kurth? Will Andrews Kurth’s future income affect the size of your payout? Will you retain any interest in a pension or retirement plan or any other interest tied to the income of Andrews Kurth?

2. Will you permanently resign from Andrews Kurth if elected mayor and enter into a legally-binding agreement never to have a financial interest or association with the firm or any relationship with the firm after you leave the office of mayor?

3. Will you as mayor recuse yourself on all questions involving clients of Andrews Kurth, including all business with Metro, the Sports Authority and the Port Authority and bond transactions and other business done by Andrews Kurth for the City?

4. Will you prohibit Andrews Kurth from representing the city and affiliated public agencies during your tenure as mayor, so as to avoid the inevitable appearance of impropriety involving any city business done with your partners and firm?

And, of course there is the "What's in for Hotze and the Pastors Council?" question. I think we know the answer to that one - no gays, no where, no how, and validation for their hate mongering. Nonsequiteuse calls Locke out on that.

So, readers, what's in it for you in regards to who wins the Mayor's race?