Last night, I was publicly called out by City Councilman Richard Johnson. The Councilman, who represents Cheyenne's 3rd Ward, believes that the local media has unfairly targeted him and besmirched his good name.

Johnson is encouraging supporters in his Facebook group "Richard Johnson, You Have Failed This City" to boycott every local media company, myself specifically. Some members of his group have even suggested sending flaming bags of excrement or marital aides covered in glitter to our office.

Which is a shame because I enjoy the Councilman's zany antics. Sure, he's a little off his rocker, but I admire his gravitas. Any dude who wears a Metallica shirt to a City Council meeting is cool in my book.

My first encounter with Johnson was in October of 2015, when he posted pictures of a creepy Halloween display on our radio station's Facebook page. I later attributed a quote to the Councilman in a completely fake satire piece about our Mayor's "War on Bears".

After seeing a gallery of shirtless pictures the Councilman posted online, I officially declared him "Wyoming's Sexiest Politician"; a prestigious honor that could have easily been reserved for Cynthia Lummis or Liz Cheney.

Last month, Johnson reached out to me for help promoting the DDA's upcoming "Adopt-a-Block" event. I was happy to spread the word.

I've also had two recent occasions to meet Johnson in person. Both times, I shook his hand and expressed my appreciation for his dedication to Cheyenne.

So, what's his beef?

On Facebook last night, Johnson wrote, "Maybe now you'll take me as a serious City Councilman and not a punchline."

Clearly, an elected official who willingly posts this picture online has no right to complain that they aren't taken seriously.

Courtesy of Richard Johnson, You Have Failed This City Facebook Page
Courtesy of Richard Johnson, You Have Failed This City Facebook Page
loading...

The truth is, nobody's out to get him. Councilman Johnson has only himself to blame for his reputation. And many of his admirers, myself included, appreciate his humor. I was laughing with him, not at him.

Unfortunately, the Councilman has left me with no other choice. I must stand up and defend the integrity of the local media.

Therefore, I am officially challenging City Councilman Richard Johnson to a bicycle race. As a bicycling enthusiast, Johnson is free to stipulate the time, place and length of the race.

Provided I can find a bicycle sturdy enough to support my large frame, I vow to pedal past the Councilman like Lance Armstrong on steroids, likely lapping him before stopping at the Freedom's Edge Brewery for a celebratory pint.

And I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is. If the Councilman defeats me, I will donate $100 to his favorite charity (as a poor radio DJ, that's all I can afford).

Furthermore, if I lose, I will strip down to my boxer shorts and perform an 'air guitar' routine to any Slayer song of the Councilman's choosing ("Raining Blood", perhaps?) during his next petition drive to collect signatures for the proposed medical marijuana ballot initiative.

So what's it gonna be, Councilman Johnson? Will you hide behind your Facebook supporters or do you have the cojones to accept my challenge?

In the words of the late, great Freddie Mercury, "Get on your bikes and ride".

 

More From 101.9 KING-FM