Burgess Replaces Burgess
Former Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess was the consummate political animal, somebody who could work a vote count and know exactly what concessions needed to be made or demanded to achieve a desired result. I mean that as a compliment.
Burgess, who is battling terminal cancer, resigned her seat on council last week with an emotional and classy appearance at the Government Center. Before tendering her resignation, she cast a handful of important votes: one to approve the city’s $1.65-billion budget and another for the city to give the county $1.4 million to help save some libraries.
Burgess also asked the council to name her son, Jason, as her replacement on City Council. Monday night the council did just that, with an 8-2 vote appointing Jason Burgess to fill the at-large seat. The vote came after the council had defeated a motion to delay naming a replacement until the 22 other people who had applied to fill the seat were given time to make their pitches and lobby councilmembers.
I’m not saying that Susan Burgess pulled political strings to land her son a seat at the dais, or that Jason Burgess didn’t deserve the nod.
Here’s what I’m saying: A few weeks ago, Susan Burgess had strongly opposed the city giving the county a financial bailout to help save some libraries. In the run-up to last week’s vote, Mayor Anthony Foxx had threatened to veto any budget that didn’t include money for the libraries. The council appeared headed to a nasty impasse until, that is, Burgess cast a vote to provide the bailout, moments before making an emotional request to have her son named as her replacement on council.
The libraries received their city bailout. Jason Burgess was appointed to take his mother’s place on the council. Make of that what you will.
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