Outreach

Went out to see the Governor. He was feeling neglected, I could tell. Since he stepped down from his temporary execution of the Mayor’s duties we haven’t seen much of him. I’ve been trying to break the ice with him for some time but my focus has been of the Provincial Council, and the $10m in projects we were managing. Apparently the Governor had a much closer relationship with my predecessor, which he has brought up repeatedly during our previous meetings. I think the guy got him a car and paid for his bodyguards. The rules have changed; money is a lot tighter now. I could probably get him some binder clips. His assistants were busy rigging up a VCR in his office while we spoke and eventually they put in a tape showing the Governor meeting with some injured and handicapped citizens. He has a weekly open door session where he meets with folks who need help; a guy pulled up his pants to show the Governor his prosthetic leg – the Governor was really engrossed in the video and shushed his assistant at one point – sometimes folks get caught in the cross-fire or injured by suicide bombers. There are reparations and casualty payment programs but oftentimes traditional patronage is the most effective method. I’m invited back for the next session. Either I will build some credibility with the Governor or I’ll be promising to bring back artificial limbs the next time I visit.