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Back in the fall of 1998, when gasoline prices were about as low as they are now, a young mayoral hopeful named Mike Nickel staged a campaign stunt at City Hall that went dreadfully awry.

Nickel, who was then opposed to the idea of property tax freezes, chained and padlocked the front doors of the building to symbolize what would happen to city services if candidates touting a freeze got their way.

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Unfortunately, the message was lost because Nickel mistakenly placed the padlock upside down, making it all but impossible to insert the key. After several unsuccessful attempts, he was forced to call for a pair of bolt cutters.

I hesitated to bring up this moment, because my intention is not to make fun of Nickel or to suggest any hypocrisy around his position on tax freezes, which he now supports.

Instead, I mention the memory because in many ways it is symbolic of Nickel’s overall approach to politics — great at making points, not so much at executing solutions — which has been enough to sustain 10 years on council and three election wins (to go with three losses).