My Friend the Mayor

by Antonio J. Herrera

Mayor Hatt, or Ren as many of us knew him, was a great many things to a great many people. He was our Mayor. He was a Language Arts teacher at GRHS. He was a loving partner to his fiancé Maria. He was a son, a brother and so much more. To me and many others he was a friend and mentor.

The first thing I noticed about Ren was how smart he was. He would always give thoughtful, in depth answers to any question you asked him. I would always ask him questions about The Law, teaching or a myriad of other subjects and he would always explain things to me no matter how weird or unnecessary the question was. He was that way with everyone from students, to colleagues at the high school and the city, and he answered questions without making you feel dumb for not already knowing the answer. The next thing I noticed was how funny he was. He would use his intelligence to make quick-witted jokes. We would be in meetings and I would have to keep from laughing because he was so funny. He also knew how to tease people without making them feel bad. When I first got my home darkroom set up, he and Maria would say things like “That’s something a serial killer would have. Are the bodies hidden under your lawn Tony?”

He was an amazing cook and bartender. The Saturday after Thanksgiving we all got together to watch the Iron Bowl (Auburn vs. Alabama). When I arrived at their house, Ren and Maria had prepared an amazing spread of what can only be described as high-brow sports watching food. There were deviled eggs (Ren’s deviled eggs were always the best), cheese dip, meats, cheeses, pimento cheese and more. He could also make cocktails like no one else I know. He could make standard cocktails, Gin and Tonics, Negronis, margaritas and more if there was a recipe for it he could make it, and make it well. Then there were times where he would make his own custom cocktails, which were always delicious. This ability to host and entertain people is a skill I envy.

As mayor Ren was entirely dedicated to Green River. He was not serving as mayor to advance any sort of political career. He ridiculed the thought of ever running for county commissioner or any higher office when I brought it up jokingly on election night. He was completely disinterested in participating in politics above the local level. Ren’s commitment to the city was evident to anyone who spent more than an hour with him. I would frequently peek out into the hallway during school to see Ren fielding phone calls as the mayor, handling city business. As a teacher Ren held his students to high standards. This is evident in how much they each improved as writers over the course of their schooling. Ren would regularly make time to conference with every student to discuss their work on their current writing assignment. He didn’t have to do this; he could’ve just left them feedback online via Canvas. He did this because he wanted to help the students as much as possible. Both personally and professionally he exemplified integrity, honesty, dedication and more of these ideals we seek to achieve. He inspired everyone around him to strive for these ideals as well.

I know that I am not alone in being able to say that Ren was my friend. Everyone who spoke to him immediately felt like he was their friend. Even those he disagreed with, still knew he cared about them. He was a friend to everyone lucky enough to meet him.

Farewell Ren, you were a good friend to all. I am glad I am able to call myself your friend, even if it was for an all too brief period of time. Thank you, for everything you taught me and everyone else around you. We are all better people for having known you, and we are all poorer for having lost you.

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