The Brad and Maggie Show

Both Brad Cole and Maggie Flanagan were more focused than this photo snapped last night at an NAACP sponsored Eurma Hayes Center forum for the Carbondale mayoral candidates. Both acquitted themselves with aplomb suitable to the importance of the event. Brad repeated his "fair and consistent" theme and his decision-making ability as a City Councilman. Maggie emphasized her 10 years experience on City Council and her ability to be a "team-player."

At one point, Brad did a double-take worthy of Dan Ackroyd and seemed to be about to say "Maggie, you ignorant 'so-and-so'," when she implied that she had a better humor than him. Brad got the biggest laugh with the line "If Marion and Carbondale are sister-cities, they must be a dysfunctional family." But Maggie stuck to her guns (butter, plowshare) and insist(er)ed that Marion and Carbondale were geographical siblings. Brad added that he'd have a foot-race with 70-something Marion mayor, Robert Butler, if it would help bring business to Carbondale. Not surprisingly, Maggie did not offer to engage in shot-put competition against the elderly Butler.

There were many good questions submitted on 3x5 index cards by the mostly white audience. So many, that my own offering was left unread on the podium of dreams.

Next forum: Next Monday night, March 24, at Carbondale Civic Center (council candidates 7 p.m.; mayor candidates 8:15 p.m.) This will be televised on Carbondale Cable Channel 16.

Tuesday, March 25, 7 p.m. at the Law School.