When responding to Mayor Jerry Sanders' criticism that his demands for reforming the city's finances are unrealistic, City Attorney Mike Aguirre suggested that the two officials debate each other at a televised forum. The community could decide how they want to proceed after hearing both sides, he said.

A debate between Sanders and Aguirre over major policy disagreements? Is the city attorney pining for a run at the mayor's chair?

Aguirre's idea begged the question, so one reporter in the City Hall press gallery asked him: Why doesn't he just run against Sanders in next year's mayor's race?

Aguirre said he didn't want to be mayor.

"I'm doing what I believe is the duty of the city attorney," he said. "I love being city attorney."

— EVAN McLAUGHLIN