When Mehaul O’Leary succeeded Meghan Sahli-Wells last month as the elected leader of Culver City, John Nachbar, invoker of the Invocation, reflector of the Reflection, did not have to even turn the page.
The unflappable city manager listened to the flap a year ago when Ms. Sahli-Wells changed the name of the longstanding religious-sounding Invocation to the secular-sounding Reflection. He listened to the second annual flap the other day when Mr. O’Leary, traditionalist, declared the pre-meeting moment of Something would be rechristened its birth name, Invocation.
Forgive Mr. Nachbar for stifling a yawn. Whatever the Name of the Moment may be, the content has not moved.
Question for the city manager: What is the research process each week for the Invocation that precedes the City Council meeting?
Mr. Nachbar may have stifled a yawn. But he couldn’t stifle a chuckle.
“Good question,” he said. “It doesn’t take that long, 10 or 15 minutes. Actually, what I am doing is I am reading throughout the week. If I notice something that seems interesting, I will note that.”
Something quirky? Historical? Traditional?
“It varies. Sometimes there is my poor attempt at humor. Sometimes quirky. Sometimes interesting. Or it may have a bearing on an event happening.”
When Ms. Sahli-Wells became mayor and announced the Invocation henceforth would be known as the Reflection, did that affect your duties?
“I really have been handling it the same way, regardless of what it has been labeled.”
Are there subjects you try to avoid, such as religion?
“I do avoid religion.”
Any other topics?
“I try to avoid anything that might be viewed as offensive.”
What about controversy?
“That is not appropriate for someone in my position.”
What message do you want to convey?
“That life is complicated, and it is worthwhile spending time reflecting on the complexities.”
