MAYOR BILL WHITE ANNOUNCES COUNCIL MEMBER MICHAEL BERRY TO SERVE AS ACTING MAYOR PRO TEM
March 7, 2006 -- Mayor Bill White announced today that Councilman Michael Berry will assume the role of Acting Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor White noted that Berry was unanimously elected the Vice Mayor Pro Tem by his fellow members of Council, and assumes the role of Mayor Pro Tem is unavailable.
"I've asked Councilman Berry to straighten out the administrative role and staffing of the Mayor Pro Tem office," said Mayor White.
The Administration, including the Finance and Administration Department, will work with Berry to get the Pro Tem's office functioning.
Councilman Berry stated, "My only goal is to get the office of Mayor Pro Tem back to normal, and get these distractions out of the way. I talked to the Mayor and we agree that the Council members should concentrate on reducing crime and traffic, and not about who is ordering office supplies."
Councilmember Carol Alvarado has temporarily stepped aside from the Mayor Pro Tem position pending the conclusion of the Harris County District Attorney's investigation into improper salary payments made to pro tem office staff. She will resume the duties of mayor pro tem at that time. There is no credible evidence that Council Member Alvarado was in any way involved in the scheme.
March 7, 2006 -- Mayor Bill White announced today that