Michael Alderman said “Bridge to Hookerville” 30 times last night in front of dozens of people and on public access television.

Alderman’s performance did earn some giggles from the audience, but this claim to fame doesn’t mean much in isolation. Why was he repeating such a phrase? Was it some sort of Beetlejuice-like summons? Is Hookerville on an island of some sort? Is there a ferry to Hookerville?

In truth and context, Alderman was one of many at Monday’s Spokane City Council meeting to protest what they characterized as constitutional infringement by Council President Ben Stuckart, whose actions as the legislative body’s leader – gaveling a meeting to an early close, his consideration of pulling Councilman Mike Fagan from the public health board for questioning the use and safety of vaccines – have led to charges of despotism before. The whole thing's been gone over. And over. And over.

If Alderman and others meant to get under Stuckart’s skin, he didn’t show it, other than the rapidly clicking pen picked up on his mic, a testament that Alderman’s repetition was more agitating than mesmerizing.  

The other times Hookerville was brought up, notably by council meeting fixture and cranky gadfly George McGrath, Stuckart kept stone-faced and asked people not to use “derogatory or demeaning” terms at public meetings.

But Alderman’s echoing phrase finally drove one council member, Mike Allen, to stop the blather.

“I defended the person who did it the last time … as part of a statement,” he said. “But there is a decorum rule. … I think what you’re doing is getting very close to going over the top of it. In fact, I think you did go over the top of it. I respect your right to do that, but at the same time, I think you can express your position on it without having to do it that way.”

Stuckart said he discussed banning the word “Hookerville” with “three different legal entities” but came to the conclusion that he would be “overstepping my bounds” if he did.

“That’s why I’m not saying anything right now,” Stuckart said. “That’s as far as I’m going to go.”

Allen turned back to Alderman and asked him to continue.

“Sorry for interrupting you sir,” Allen said.

“I’m done,” Alderman said. “I’m done.”