Son of Lindsay ... Son of Driscoll

As to the idea that the entire Lindsay "clique" has adopted Robert Eckels, Lindsay says, "The people that traditionally contribute to my race or the mayor's race are those that are interested in continuing infrastructure development. It's not unusual at all for them to be involved in my race because that's what I believe in. Since Ryan is touting that we're going to quit pouring concrete, and says it in almost every speech, it's not unexpected that those same people would be alarmed."

Ryan's proposed consolidation of each precinct's road-and-bridge operations into a countywide agency, something that would require commissioners to give up a large slice of their budgets, "ain't gonna happen," Lindsay declares. "That's pretty naive. He thinks he's getting on to something that's going to be popular among the masses out there, and among some people, the people that believe bigger is better, that might be popular. But I think when those same people stop and realize they're not going to have direct contact with a commissioner, or in the case of law enforcement, a constable, who is elected from a smaller area, even they would have second thoughts about it."

As his 20 years as county judge, and probably his political career, come to a close, Lindsay finds himself easing his way out of office. "I'm starting to slow down, as my office staff will tell you; taking a few more days off than I usually do." But even at the end of the road, Lindsay can't resist slipping in one more mild dig at an old adversary.

"Mike's not been around lately," he observes. "Comes in once a week, for maybe half a day .... I think his illness is getting to him."

In fact, Driscoll now works primarily out of his home, as the progressively more severe ravages of Parkinson's disease have their way. It took a week of inquiries and one postponement before he finally sat down for an interview at his downtown office. His speech was strained yet lucid, but throughout the interview his head, arms

and legs jerked and writhed uncontrollably. While Lindsay, so far, has apparently defied Driscoll's best efforts and will probably leave office on schedule, it will be a struggle for Driscoll to complete his own term, which ends in 1996, much less contemplate running for office again. Clearly, the decade-long feud between these two officials has nearly run its course.

Driscoll claims there's no hidden agenda in his effort to remove Lindsay from office, even though the judge has one foot out the door. "I've run this office on the basis of what comes in -- you take care of business," he says. "Like when Lindsay took the board directorship of Houston Lighting and Power -- it was my opinion he'd violated the oath of office and I could have filed a removal action against him then. And Jon's biggest defense against all the things he has done arrogantly, irresponsibly and greedily, has always been, 'Well, Driscoll just doesn't like me. It's personal.'"

But the so-called "vendetta" actually can be traced to Lindsay, Driscoll says. "My watershed with Lindsay was the day I walked in to office. I called to have lunch with the judge to do an orientation and I was informed, 'The judge doesn't have lunch' ... the watershed was from day one."

Like Lindsay, Driscoll has left little doubt who he's rooting for in the future county order. "Vince would be his own man, someone who's a thinker, somebody who's got experience on his own. He has the military background. Leadership qualities. Robert's a good guy. I don't dislike him or think he's dishonest. But he's an endorsement of the current system, which embraces 'spend money, don't care what you spend it on. Keep the money rolling.' Heck, Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock's still laughing about us buying the [debt-laden Jesse] Jones Bridge [from the state]."

But Driscoll says the race between Ryan and Eckels will result in a changing of the guard at the county, the end of old fights and perhaps the beginning of new conflicts.

"I'm passing from the scene too, whether it be this term or next term, or somewhere in between," Driscoll says. "I think this community would be much better served by Vince .... But when a politician endorses anybody else, all he ever does is give the other person his enemies. So I'm just telling you how I'm going to vote.