Love was in the air at the Coralville Valentine’s Day city council meeting! It was a momentous night: the city had finally asked a new police chief to tie the knot. And he said, “I do.”
“A very prestigious, memorable item on our agenda,” Mayor John Lundell flashed a big grin. “I would start by entertaining a motion to approve the appointment of Shane Kron as our police chief.”
The council members were so giddy, they trampled over each other to agree. “So moved!” a couple of them shouted out.
Mayor Lundell chuckled. “We have an outstanding police department in Coralville. Our outgoing chief, Barry Bedford–he’s been part of the department for 43 years. But also, 16 of those years, Shane Kron was a member of the department.”
City administrator Kelly Hayworth gently broke in. “It’s longer than 16. I believe it’s 27.”
Realizing he was WELL outside the margin of error, the mayor blurted sheepishly, “Oh, I’m sorry!”
Your honor, take it from me: before you commit to a new beau, you should know their WHOLE relationship history!
Also, don’t say weird things about them. Like this:
“All four candidates were cream. But the cream rose above the cream to the top. And here he is, and is our new chief,” rhapsodized Council Member Bill Hoeft in a stilted Maya-Angelou-of-the-Midwest rhythm.
After the chief was sworn in, the mayor caused a few disheartened chuckles when he announced, “now on to the exciting next item: the budget!”
Hey, hey, don’t be so facetious, mayor. There was plenty of good news for C-ville: property taxes were unchanged for the eighth consecutive year! The water plant is getting a brand new filter building! And corn has never been yellower!
A man in a striped shirt and red tie sprung to the podium and signed the guest register. He had prepared a wide-ranging soliloquy about the budget, the city council, and his…um, unique hobbies.
“As always, I have reviewed the budget,” he said. “I kind of live the budget. I’m a gym rat for budgeting, if you will.”
I will. Go on.
“I would ask, how’s your own checkbook? You don’t have to answer that, but you’re dealing with your money at home and your money down here, so they should both be in pretty good shape.”
You’re losing me, citizen. I don’t think anyone’s going to whip out their checkbooks, so how about we close strong?
“Think about this: if you shower quicker, you would save yourself some money. And anytime you see someone watering their lawn, send them a thank-you card because they’ll be using all that water and spend a lot more money than you will if you shower,” he proclaimed like Columbo cracking the case.
The council members took a second to digest this insider tip.
“Thank you for caring” about the budget, Council Member Laurie Goodrich offered politely.
As council members gathered up their papers, the city attorney had a piece of news to share that he had evidently been sitting on for 45 minutes.
“The city attorney’s office approves the appointment of Shane. Also, I can’t help but notice that we don’t have to worry about him tearing his hair out over anything!”
Everyone let out a snicker at the shiny-domed chief. I’m sure he can look forward to maaannnnany more years of jokes like that.
City Council Chronicles 