One Weird-Ass Story

She sang backup for Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Browne; was engaged to Eagles singer-songwriter Don Henley, was devastated by a brother's death in Vietnam. All are part of the colorful past described by Carrollton, Texas Mayor Becky Miller, acquaintances say. But spokesmen for the famous singers said the three don't know her. And the mayor's father said she never had a brother who died in the war.

Miller's challenger in Saturday's mayoral election, Ron Branson, first expressed doubts that her brother had died in Vietnam, and checks by the Dallas Morning News also raised questions about her singing career. The mayor, who is seeking a second term, said that the singers are wrong and that she went by another name when she associated with them during the 1970s. She initially declined to give that name but said Monday that most people at the time called her Pinky Her father, Edward Sampson, said his son is alive in Maryland, and was never in the service.

Ironically, name recognition being what it is, there is a good chance that Mayor Miller...if that's REALLY her name...will be re-elected in Saturday's vote. If so, city leaders should press for her to resign and allow council members to schedule a new election to fill the vacancy.