Overdose

Dr. Shelley's new operating room reveals the worst and best of a City Council under term limits

A A A Comments By Tim Fleck Thursday, Aug 22 2002

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"I think we're developing our working relationship," Kendrick says tactfully. "Hopefully that will become even more positive over time."

Sekula-Gibbs insists that the health department has been supportive and that it has taken a while to find the right information sources there. "Like your business, you have to know where to go to obtain the information."

Deron Neblett

Alvarado has applied her city experience to her first term.

Kendrick weathered a blizzard of Sekula-Gibbs memos.

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It's the same approach Sekula-Gibbs took during the campaign when stepson Sylvan "Bobby" Rodriguez III denounced her as a political opportunist who used his dead father's name to generate public sympathy and votes. Bobby Rodriguez claimed she had planned a vacation in Mexico while her husband was dying of cancer, and she used family estate money to renovate the Clear Lake home she now shares with her latest husband.

Sekula-Gibbs said she used her own money for the home renovation and attributed her stepson's resentment to grief over his father's death. Likewise, she says Sylvan's mother, who died recently of surgical complications, was understanding of her decision to drop the Rodriguez surname.

Her stepson, a University of Houston student, says the bitterness toward his stepmother has diminished, although he still believes she exploited his father's name and persona for political purposes.

"Hopefully people see now what kind of woman she is," says Rodriguez. "I'm still convinced of everything I said before election night, but I'm getting on with my life, and she's getting on with hers. I hope she has a happy marriage and it's a marriage out of love."

Others may argue that she's wedded to the council microphone, but Sekula-Gibbs seems oblivious to that criticism.

"I've always been a questioner," she laughs. "If I would ever get in trouble in school, it would be because I was the one who was asking too many questions."

Even her worst council critics hold out hope that once she completes City Government 101, things will improve. "Eventually she'll slow down," says one. "She's just -- how shall I put it? -- extremely exuberant." A City Hall veteran adds, perhaps with too much optimism, that "one day she may be a hell of an elected official."

That day isn't here yet, but perhaps some relief is on the way. Advised of the complaints, the councilwoman allows, "I appreciate the concerns, and I will take that under advisement."

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