Re “Mr. Gourley’s Last Lousy Job”

Hard to believe that someone as garrulous as Steve Gourley could just walk away from public life, after 23 high-profile years in and near City Hall.

Six years ago this month, the attorney and former state official insists today that he just kept stepped. Never glance in the rear-view.

No regrets.

So what replaced those turbulent years on the City Council and the School Board?

“Once you get over it,” Mr. Gourley said, “it doesn’t take up a significant part of your life.”

Oh, yes, there has been a wonderful development.

“In the last five years, I have concentrated on my grandson.

“But I cannot say that is what took me out of the running for various and sundry things.

“When I look back,” said Mr. Gourley, “I say ‘I never will be able to do as well as I did as a City Councilman from ’88 to ’96.’
“The timing was right. I still was young enough to think I could change things. I still had energy at the end of the day.”

Next came the state capital.
“After being beaten up in Sacramento as head of the DMV,” said Mr. Gourley, “and then having to go through the awful experience on the School  Board, which I did volunteer for…”

What lies immediately ahead ain’t pretty.

(To be continued)