A SMALL TOWN MAYOR WHO HATES POLITICS.
The Osgood File. Sponsored in part by Barbasol Shaving Cream. Start your day with Barbasol, America's leader for a close shave. Close Shave America, Close Shave Barbasol. This is Charles Osgood.
There are term limits in certain political jobs. There are no term limits to being Mayor of Paoli, Colorado, however.
VO - Steve Hartman, CBS News Correspondent
"At 55 miles an hour, blink and you'll miss it. Even with a guide driving 5, the town blows by." (:06)
That's our CBS News colleague Steve Hartman. His driver-guide was none other than Virgil Harms, the Mayor of Paoli for half a century now.
SOT - Virgil Harms - Mayor of Paoli, Colorado - with Steve Hartman
"(Harms:) That's the Town Hall there. Post Office is over here. (Hartman:) Did we see it all? (Harms:) Yep." (:04)
VO - Steve Hartman
"But, if you come to a full and complete stop in Paoli, Colorado - population, 50 - and sit down with its mayor, you'll find a real attraction." (:09)
And Mayor Harms is it.
SOT - Mayor Virgil Harms, with Steve Hartman
"(Hartman:) Well, we're here to talk about your political career. (Harms:) Oh." (:03)
VO - Steve Hartman
"A politician who can't stand politics." (:03)
More after this...
((( BREAK )))
Our colleague Steve Hartman says Mayor Harms is not a professional politician.
VO - Steve Hartman
"A farmer by trade - I've always believed if someone wants to run the country, he should know how to run a tractor first. Secondly, he's a simpleton when it comes to money. Virgil believes if you borrow it - like Paoli had to do for a new water system - you actually pay it back." (:14)
SOT - Mayor Virgil Harms, with Steve Hartman
"(Harms:) We paid it back three years early. (Hartman:) Well, this is why you can't be a politician. (Harms:) Yeah, may be it. (Hartman:) You got to borrow money - and don't pay it back. (Harms:) That ain't the way it's done." (:07)
And no party politics - Harms and town clerk Marilyn Miller explained...
SOT - Mayor Virgil Harms
"You don't run as a Democrat or a Republican, and I think the rest of the country ought to be that way." (:04)
SOT - Marilyn Miller, Paoli's Town Clerk and Postmaster - with Steve Hartman
"(Hartman:) So how do you know who's on your side. (Miller:) We don't have sides. (Hartman:) You don't have sides?!" (:04)
No! And that's why things are going smoothly, they say.
In fact, they don't bother to have elections there any more - so, running for President is not likely for Virgil Harms.
VO - Steve Hartman
"Of course, the problem making him President is the same problem you face getting anyone from out in the country to run the country." (:06)
SOT - Mayor Virgil Harms
"You couldn't get me there." (:01)
VO - Steve Hartman
"Most are just too smart for it." (:02)
SOT - Mayor Virgil Harms
"I'm happy right here." (:01)
The Osgood File. Charles Osgood on the CBS Radio Network. |
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