July 19, 2002
Another contender

Former City Councilman Joe Roach has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2003 Mayoral race.


"I am running for mayor," said Roach, 41. "I moved to Houston in 1963. My father helped start NASA here. Houston has given me a tremendous opportunity.

"The city has overlooked my obvious disability and enabled me to become a lawyer, (assistant) district attorney, councilman and to have a tremendous law practice right now," said Roach, who is a dwarf. "Now, it's time to help those who helped me."


Back in 1998, the newly-appointed Director of Affirmative Action referred to Joe Roach as a "Republican midget", which led to her being forced out of office. I must confess that I wouldn't have known that "dwarf" was the correct term and "midget" was considered an insult, but then again I wasn't being paid 76K per year to be in charge of, you know, promoting equal opportunity for all. Though I never much cared for Roach as a council member, I thought he handled himself with dignity after Lenoria Walker's idiotic remarks - he spoke about why this was painful without sounding whiny. I can't say that he'd be one of my top choices for Mayor, but there are some runoff scenarios where he'd get my vote.

One would hope that Roach gets a better reaction to his announcement than Michael "The Boy Wonder" Berry has gotten to his. Here's the best thing any observer could say about him:


Republican political consultant Allen Blakemore accords the councilman a bit more respect. He believes Berry could draw Republican support away from Sanchez in a general election because "he's done as much on the issue of tax cuts in six months as Sanchez did in six years."

As the story notes, what Berry did was propose a one-cent rollback in property tax. It failed.

I will say this: As long as Orlando Sanchez isn't the beneficiary, I'm now officially hoping that Berry's candidacy helps sink Sylvester Turner, who helped to impose Berry on us by supporting him over Claudia Williamson. In return for Turner's support, Berry apparently promised to help Turner run for Mayor in 2003. Oops.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on July 19, 2002 to Election 2003
Comments

My problem with the fiasco was that Lenoria called Mayor Brown and Jew Don Boney by their names in her now infamouus speech. She referred to
me only as the "Republican Midget." I am sorry that you don't like me because you never have even met me. Maybe you should get your facts straight before you state things that simply aren't true.

Joe Roach

Posted by: joe roach on March 3, 2003 5:33 AM

Well, I'm not sure which facts you're disputing here, but if you want to point one out, I'll be happy to address your concerns.

As for my opinion of you, here's what I said:

"Though I never much cared for Roach as a council member, I thought he handled himself with dignity after Lenoria Walker's idiotic remarks - he spoke about why this was painful without sounding whiny. I can't say that he'd be one of my top choices for Mayor, but there are some runoff scenarios where he'd get my vote."

I'm sorry you chose to take offense at something that was (pretty clearly, I think) not meant to be in any way offensive. Perhaps your decision to get out of politics was a wise one.

(If the previous comment was posted by a troll and not the real Joe Roach, then I apologize for that last remark.)

Posted by: Charles Kuffner on March 3, 2003 10:38 AM

I think that certain parties, no matter how outstanding their position need to have the common courtesy to refer to others with respect. This lady was wrong for what she called Mr. Roach. She should have been fired and fined. In my most humble opinion. I need to contact Mr. Roach. I need some advice on an ordinance that Galveston, Texas is trying to put into effect. Full Access To Community Life is being denied here. Please help.

Posted by: Patsy Bell on December 2, 2004 7:15 AM

what happened to Joe's wife? is she ok?

Posted by: Stephen Haise on December 14, 2004 1:53 PM