Twenty-eight years after landing in America as a curious Irish immigrant, and one month before his 50th birthday, Mehaul O’Leary, vice mayor, is scheduled to step up to the mayor’s chair for a year’s run on April 27.

Some people see the job big. Some see it small. Others, like Meghan Sahli-Wells, the outgoing Her Honor, leap into the position as if it were an office of rare and heavily spotlighted opportunities, as if mounting the favorite in the Kentucky Derby. The high-spirited Ms. Sahli-Wells galloped down the track the last 12 months with her progressive agenda proudly and successfully displayed as she ploughed and powered over the finish line.

With 12 days left to prepare, Mr. O’Leary this morning said “what preparation? The title is all that it is.

“Am I going to be doing anything different? No. I am going to be doing what I always have done, the way I always have done it.”

Figuratively, Mr. O’Leary put his arm around Council colleague Andy Weissman, both of whom are fast headed for the term-limits exit.

“There are some loose ends Andy and I would like to see tied up before we step off the dais,” said the vice mayor.

“If there is any preparation, it is planning the year to where we leave the house in good stead.”

(To be continued)