Excerpts from Alvarados Aunt Aurora: Lori Garcia-Holden didnt begin her life wanting to be a politician. She had set her sights on saving the world. It took her six years to graduate from college. At age 23; the commencement speaker at her graduation ceremonies was Professor Hannah Goodman. Goodman had been recognized that year by the Smithsonian Institute for her advancements in the field of anthropology. It was the year 2000 or Y2K as some were calling the new millennium. Goodmans speech though, was a forceful call to graduates, summoning them to take risks, to overcome mediocrity, and to become actively involved in their communities. “Weve gone through the high-tech bubble,” Goodman proclaimed. “But do not allow obstacles to discourage you. Dr. Hall and the Blues Practitionersse are the opportunities to seize.” “Professor Goodman, I wanted to take the time to introduce myself and to say how much I was inspired by your talk today,” Lori said as she she extended her hand to Hannah. “Tell me how I can be someone who you believe we are as a class as you said in your speech.” Lori said. And then seemingly after long seconds of time of intuitive reflection, Professor Goodman handed Lori a card with a telephone number and the name -- Hannah Goodman-Alvarado, Ph.D. “Call me tomorrow and well set up an appointment,” Hannah responded. [scene changes] “Do mind if I ask you a personal question?” Lori asks Hannah. They are meeting over coffee. Its the Bosque Cafe. Overlooking the outdoor patio where Hannah and Lori have found the corner table free; is a beautiful view of a grove of Cottonwoods. “Youre married to a state senator but you are known by your maiden name,” Lori says slyly, her voice nearly muffled by a pause of asking too embarrassing of a question. “When I earned my doctorate I knew that I wanted to be part of the faculty at the college.” Hannah explained. “Al and I were not married. We didnt meet until I had been teaching for 5 years. All of my students called me Professor Goodman.” “I had realized after my first year of teaching that I could make a difference with my students if I influenced them in ways that opened their minds and challenged them to be thinkers.” And in a conversation that had began among two strangers essentially, quickly became a talk among friends, when Hannah said, “my title as Professor Goodman was my credentialed opening for them to accept my influence. I couldnt change that part of my life.” [scene is aboard plane] “Hello? .. oh yes hello Lori, glad you checked in. I know its your day off so I appreciate it.” Senator Alvarado said as he answered his phone from his longest serving staff person, Lori Hudson. She had joined his small state senate office staff in 2000. Since then Lori had worked her way to become Alvarados trusted COS or chief-of-staff. It had been Loris original suggestion to Alvarado in 2002 after a resounding re-election win that he triple the size of his committee staff. “Senator Alvarado, I found the authorization authority for justifying an increase in staff hiring,” Lori said to Al. “Youre responsible for ensuring there is liaison with executive departments and constitutional state offices.” In a political coup that took even seasoned political observers considerable time to digest its raw power; Senator Alvarado had assembled the largest staff of any state legislator and nearly rivaled other state public executives in sheer size. It was also Senator Alvarados way to blunt constant criticism from his own party that he was too independent. With this kind of staff; and with the amount of information gathered by his staff; Senator Alvarado had no need to be any partys patsy. “Yeah Im calling because Las Lomas is seeking a meeting with you as soon as possible. Theyve gotten word that Wilcox is set to appoint Malcolm Richmond as the Natural Resources Secretary and replace their man.” “They are frantic about this Senator.” Lori tells Al. “They dont want this cattleman in charge. No matter what I try and tell them, they wont accept him as pro-environment.” “Good, good .. thanks for letting me know Lori.” Senator Alvarado says. “Ill call you at nine thirty sharp later tonight and we will discuss our options.” …......................................................................................
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 16:32:28 +0000
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