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November 19, 2006
The Girl Can't Help It
Did things around City Hall seem a little quieter than usual this week? That's because our local perpetual political train wreck, otherwise known as Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, has temporarily left Houston for derailment in environs to the north and east -- Washington D.C. to be exact.
Our favorite dermatologist has taken her gift for public service and winning personality to the nation's capitol, where Sekula-Gibbs' one-woman show is getting rave reviews -- well, maybe in the tabloids.
In less than a week the good doctor has managed to run up thousands of dollars in hotel bills (at taxpayer expense), throw a fit over certain high-level officials (think 1600 Pennsylvania Ave) not attending her swearing-in reception (who could turn down punch and cookies with Shelley?), and drive away her predecessor's entire staff after accusing them of illegally disposing of office files. Quite a first week, no? Well, since she only has a few weeks to serve, she's got to make the most of the time, right?
Today's Chronicle leads with a piece suggesting Sekula-Gibbs' colorful behavior may have permanently damaged her prospects for holding the 22nd Congressional District seat in 2008. Ya think?
Shelley doesn't see a problem, chalking it up to "disgruntled employees who object when the status quo changes." Those "disgruntled ones" would be Mr. DeLay's former staff, the head of whom said that never had they been treated with "as much disrespect and unprofessionalism" as those days last week. She sure knows how to make a first impression, don't she? It's just Shelley being Shelley, right? The girl can't help it.
Capitol Hill is getting quite a first look at Sekula-Gibbs. Temper tantrums, wild accusations, political pandering, and effortlessly taking both sides of an issue depending on the circumstances. Ah, that's the Shelley we know and love here in Houston. We can still hear the faint echo of her dulcit tones around City Hall.
Please don't send her back.
Posted by houtopia at November 19, 2006 08:17 AM