Folsom to Bartlett: “Get on the Team”

If the Dallas City Council ever gets a chance to hold an election, don’t expect Mayor Bob Folsom to turn up on any of Councilman Steve Bartlett’s campaign contribution lists. It’s no secret around City Hall that the maverick Bartlett gets under the mayor’s skin – apparently because he refuses to “play on the team.”

The friction first surfaced last year during council deliberations on the ill-fated arts district bond proposal. After a bloody public clash with Bartlett over the extent of city participation in the project, Folsom summoned him to his office. A lengthy lecture on “a deal’s a deal” and “learning to play on the team” ensued. A few months later, the two battled in private session over proposed preferential ticket tenderings at the Reunion Arena. According to observers present, the row ended in a gunfight-style staredown between the two men.

Then, last month, the struggle turned even nastier. Folsom and Bartlett once again locked horns in private session, this time over the council’s districting dispute with the federal courts. Bartlett was pushing for a vote on a question that the mayor apparently wanted approved by acclamation. “Okay,” Folsom finally said angrily. “You’ll get your vote. But I’ll guarantee you I’ll never vote your way on anything.”

“We’re both just stubborn,” says Bartlett. “He’s a good mayor. I’d support him for re-election.” Some observers think that’s more charity than Folsom will be willing to afford his foe, however. Before this spring council elections were put in limbo by federal court order, Folsom was reportedly out beating the bushes for an opponent to Bartlett. Apparently the response was less than inspiring. Remembering Bartlett’s sound defeat of Folsom’s buddy and fellow developer Pete Baldwin in 1977, one observer said, “After what Bartlett did to Baldwin anybody’d be a fool to run against him with establishment backing.”