By Ashley Toland Editor

Editor’s Note: Councilman Ben Brooks defeated Gary Tanner for the District 35 State Senate seat Nov. 7. In accordance with state law, the Brookster took office almost immediately, vacating his District Four city council seat. There will be a special election Tuesday Jan. 23 to fill the vacancy. The deadline to qualify with the city clerk’s office is 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11.

Interested candidates must have lived in the city for a year and the district for at least 90 days.

But before we anoint a new District Four king, in keeping with my tradition of writing terrible poetry in honor of departing councilors, I present “Ode to Brooks.”

Ode to Brooks

Oh sweet Benny B

I can’t believe you’ve left me

I remember your first budget presentation

After all those Power Point slides, I needed a vacation

To your fellow councilors, you tried to impart your philosophy

Less spending, government and something about a dynamic or static economy

But they wouldn’t listen and did not admire your moxie

In fact, Freddie D even called you Foxy Loxy

With Dow, you went round and round

And though you didn’t win all the time, you stood your ground

Every now and then, you and the WeMos would get an amendment or two passed

Leaving the mayor and administration quite aghast

Four years later to the state house you now go

Leaving your sweet, precious Connie behind and full of woe

Oh I wonder what it will be

I’m speaking of the Brooks’ legacy

Reggie’s will be sports, Fred’s will be removal of blight

And fiscal responsibility will be yours, if history reflects right

On January 23rd there will be a special election to fill your spot

Names are already surfacing, I’m sure this race will be hot

The peeps I’ve heard about so far are Jim Bell, Marilyn Culpepper and Mabin Hicks

Of course, others could still add their names to the mix

But December 11 is the last day for candidates to qualify

So interested SoMos, you better hop to it; it’s OK – don’t be shy

By the way, I know this poem really blows

But it rhymes, so if you don’t like it, suck my toes

In closing, Ben, my consummate boy scout, I know you will not miss my “wicked pen”

But just so you know, I always thought you served your district muy bien

Spanglish translated that means you did great

See, Ben, I can be sweet; I’m not always full of hate

So now is the time when I must bid you adieu

Though not your visual aids or philosophy sermons, I really will miss you

So farewell, sweet, sweet Benny B

I know you’ll do a great job for us in Montgomery.

Ashley Toland is Lagniappe editor. Contact her at ashleytoland@lagniappemobile.com.

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