The mayor only controls about 1,200 jobs, or less than 1 percent of the work force of 153,000.

The mayor controls two votes on the board, but he has been known to use his considerable influence to sway other members.

In particular, he has avoided the roiling debate about whether the mayor should control the school system.

"The idea that the mayor should control and be accountable for the schools is something that I strongly supported," he said.

Obviously, the mayor controls the system, which in the past has been a mess of patronage.

The mayor has controlled the board's decision since he entered office.

If the mayor controls the entire Council, it'll be a disaster.

For another, there are growing indications of troubled times ahead because of factors no mayor can control.

At the least, the chancellor might be pressured to lend his support to the idea that the mayor should control the school construction budget.

The mayor must control the problem and rebuild.