Mayor Rob Franke knew he was going down.

           He squinted against the sunlight and surveyed the eager faces, wondering who would control his immediate destiny. Then it became clear: mayor pro tem Cory Spillman. As the highest bidder, Mr. Spillman bought the privilege of being the first to sink the mayor on Saturday at the Bray Elementary Carnival dunk tank.

            And just like that, His Honor vanished into a blue vat of hypothermia. No one had thought to tell him, when he “volunteered” for a stint in the tank, that he might as well have taken a dip in the North Atlantic. Yet he kept climbing back up, child after child, throw after throw.

            The Cedar Hill mayor wasn’t the only one who managed to put aside innate survival instincts and take the platform. School board president Dan Hernandez was first in line, and later came board member Dr. Mike Marshall. Principal Robert Johansen withstood the cold plunge in a tie and jacket, though it turned out to be the wrong kind of wet suit. Others were counselor Melony Booher, Bray teacher of the year Elizabeth Podany, two dads – including police officer J.R. Podany -- and assorted children who volunteered on the spot.

            Dr. Marshall briefly appeared to set the first-throw auction record. (Angry parent? Patient upset with his copay?) That is, until Mr. Johansen’s first throw topped out at $100,contributed by a pool of oddly enthusiastic Bray teachers, and a last minute, generous donation from the Mrs.

            Perhaps the local dignitaries wanted to show the kids a simultaneous lesson in civic responsibility, physics and physiology. Or perhaps they are just softies for the city’s children.

            The annual carnival’s games, food and activities are the Bray PTA’s main fundraiser for the art program and other activities. The event would not have been possible, or nearly as much fun, had generous local businesses not contributed supplies and items for silent auction. And as for those who donated a half hour of their own well being for the dunk tank, never has a chilly tour of duty been appreciated so warmly.