BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Mayor for a Day

By Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, Staff writer | December 9, 2015

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Mayor Annise Parker with Laura Carlock, who won the opportunity to be "Mayor for a Day."

Recently, West U resident Laura Carlock had the opportunity to step into Mayor Annise Parker’s shoes for a day. Laura, co-founder and co-president of nonprofit Rescued Pets Movement, was the highest bidder at the BARC Foundation Gala, which took place in Sam Houston Park.

So on Nov. 18, Laura spent the day with Mayor Parker.

She attended all meetings – and was able to use the gavel in a meeting - and sat with the mayor’s family while listening to Vice President Joe Biden speak. Laura rode with Mayor Parker and heard her speak at an Emily’s List fundraiser, then rode with her to a dinner at the home of the President of Rice University, where they met with mayors from several cities who were in Houston for a conference.

“The mayor was extraordinarily gracious,” Laura said, “I was literally with her every second of the day.”

At the BARC Gala, Laura also won: a champagne cruise for 20 of her friends along Buffalo Bayou, a ride in a Houston Police Department helicopter and the opportunity to be a cadet in SWAT training exercises – at least she still has a few things to look forward to!