Dear Editor:
First impressions are important in politics and my first impression of Louise Gardner was quite favorable. She was running for her first term as mayor against a well-known and venerable man, Bob Hunter, who I expected would win in a cakewalk. They met in a debate at City Hall and I was there in the front row with my 6-year-old twin sons for a civics lesson. It was obvious that the newcomer, Louise, had done her homework and that she was not just in this race for show. After the debate, I asked my sons who they thought the winner was. They both agreed that it was the grandmotherly Mrs. Gardner.
Four years later, I was the candidate who opposed Louise in her bid for re-election. My political pals had convinced me that I would win this election in a cakewalk. But neither they, nor I, realized how popular Louise was with the voters. They liked having a charming white-haired lady skydiver as their mayor. When the votes were counted she was flying high and it was as if my chute never opened. That hurt.
The first Gulf War was raging at about the time of our election contest. I attended an event honoring the servicemen and women from the National Guard who had been called up to serve in that war. Mayor Gardner spoke and I very clearly remember her words: "Our weekend warriors have become our knights in shining armor."
A memorable phrase from a memorable woman who served Jefferson City well.
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