Some Very Special Friends

"I think I could have done a better job," says Walden, explaining why he did not charge Stafford. "The first thing I would have done is kidnap Johnny Holmes and put a damn gag in his mouth. That was about the only way we were going to win."

Holmes had promised to stay out of the race. His unexpected backing of subordinate Rosenthal was widely viewed by election analysts as a decisive factor in the outcome.

Walden agrees with Stafford that contributors' generosity was not linked to expectations of favorable treatment by the candidate.

"I think they really, truly thought he'd be a great D.A.," says Walden. "They've known him and had a personal relationship with him for some time now. I don't think any of them expected to be indicted and needed to be real friendly with him."

So why isn't Walden forgiving Stafford's $57,000 debt to him?

"I like him," chuckles the consultant, "but I don't like him that much."

Perhaps more to the point, Walden doesn't have any contracts Stafford will be overseeing in the near future.

Tied to the Rail

The Houston Chronicle editorial page has long served as lead cheerleader for Metro's plans for a light-rail line between downtown and the Reliant Astrodome.

But even the Chron's pro-rail fervor seems mild compared to that of editorial writer James Howard Gibbons, as seen in his February 26 op-ed piece headlined "Mr. Todd's wild, costly ride must end." Gibbons bashed City Councilman Rob Todd for suing to stop the project, suggesting the action was motivated by Todd's plans to run for county commissioner. State District Judge John Devine, whose pro-Todd ruling was overturned in an appellate opinion last week, drew an equally tough judgment.

"There is no evidence that Judge Devine is in league with the plaintiffs," wrote Gibbons, "but he seems to share their partisan aims and their contempt for the plain meaning of the law."

One elected official and several rail opponents were quick to call The Insider. They charged that when it comes to bias and hidden agendas, Gibbons's hands are far from clean.

Gibbons's wife, attorney Cassie Stinson, is a partner in the firm of Mayor, Day, Caldwell & Keeton, which represents Metro in a range of legal matters. Metro spokeswoman Julie Gilbert confirms that Stinson, who works in the real estate section of the firm, has done legal work for the transit agency. Gibbons and Stinson also live in the 1700 Hermann Drive high-rise. That location, one anti-railer hinted darkly, was right next to the proposed light-rail route, which he could ride to work to the Chron every day!

"I would have thought Gibbons had the obligation to recuse himself from writing about light rail when he was so directly affected by a direct financial benefit," says David Hutzelman, organizer of the Business Committee Against Rail. "He was the one calling for Judge Tony Lindsay to recuse herself because [her husband and state Senator] Jon Lindsay had spoken against rail in the past."

Gibbons responds that he's written in support of rail transit for two decades but has been married for only 13 years.

"My wife has worked for Metro for 18 years, and Metro has never had a rail system. Her practice is not affected one way or another by the rail system. If they don't have a rail system, they'll have transitways or bus barns or whatever."

Gibbons says that it never occurred to him that there was any need to divulge his wife's connections to the transit agency, but he adds, "I'm not ashamed of having people know that, and most people do know."

If they didn't before, they do now.