Sunday, October 21, 2001

2 Jack Gordy

George Tuley/Caller-Times file

Jack Gordy has been fighting City Hall and has won a few, proving that it can be done.

Thanks to Jack Gordy, copies of police reports now cost $2 instead of $5. Gordy, a 64-year-old retired mechanic, has proved that you can fight City Hall and win at least three times. The first time was in February of 1976 when he noticed city employees taking home city-owned vehicles at night. At the time, the city handed out nearly 350 car allowances, he said. Now it's only the city manager and city secretary.
   Since March of 1997, Gordy has persisted in dogging city code enforcement officials over what he sees as their selective enforcement of sign ordinances. Gordy's grudge began when the city sent him an official notice warning him that he would be fined up to $1,000 a day if he didn't remove a handmade wooden sign he had chained to the telephone pole alongside his shop on Laredo Street.
   This year, it was the police reports. Acting on a complaint filed by Gordy, the state General Services Commission sent the city a letter admonishing it for charging $2 for reports that didn't have confidential information blacked out.
   Gordy lost a campaign for the City Council's District 2 seat last spring to incumbent Javier Colmenero. Some might count that among his losses, but Gordy said it was a victory.
   "I don't consider that a loss because 2003 is not that far away."
   Wins
  

Forced city to reduce employee car allowances (1976).
  

Forced city to stop overcharging for copies of police reports (2001).
  

Filed an ethics complaint against Mayor Loyd Neal that led to the Texas Ethics Commission fining the mayor $400. (2001)
  

Lobbied for changes to the city's Code of Ethics. (2001)
  

Forced transportation officials to remove bus stop benches with illegal signage. (2000)
   Losses
  

Ran for City Council District 5 seat, defeated in the primary by Joe McComb and incumbent Cliff Zarsky. Gordy got 6 percent. (1983)
  

Ran for City Council District 2 seat, defeated by incumbent Javier Colmenero. Gordy got 28 percent. (2001)
  

Unsuccessful campaign against measure to dredge Packery Channel. (2000-2001)
  

Tried to stop city from buying new $1,200 chairs for the City Council Chambers. (2000)
  

First contestant kicked out of South Texas Survivor (2001).
  
  

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