A quick word to the Corner-reading public: I have an unusual Impromptus today — an “untraditional” one. It reports on a talk I had with the mayor of San Ramon, Calif. He is a Republican and — what you’re not supposed to be when you’re a Republican — black. This mayor thinks it’s very normal.

He started out in Charleston, S.C., and has had an interesting and good life. His most glowing love seems to be music. And he has an old-fashioned love of country and good government that is almost weird to encounter.

Below is an early e-mail, sent by a member of our military. It may seem a tad gooey to you — but I find it justified:

Mr. Nordlinger,
An inspirational story about an obviously good man. The story about his mother’s intervention with the Army brass was a hoot! I remember how much relief and sanctuary chapel was for me during basic training — not that Air Force basic in the early ’80s quite compares with Army boot camp from the draft era.
We need Mayor Wilsons at every level of this country’s government. Men and women who are willing to be true servants of the public interest, regardless of party, race, creed, etc. Folks like that are the real guardians of our Constitution and exactly what the Founders had in mind as citizen-legislators and such.

Some will find that gooey, as I suggested — but it’s not at all wrong.