SAN ANTONIO – He used to be a competitive weight lifter and sang lead vocals in a rock band.
Not the description you might think of when your city councilman comes to mind.
It’s all part of the past for District 8 Counilman Ron Nirenberg.
These days, the competitions are over. His workouts are just as much for mental health as they are physical.
And you won’t find him singing on stage.
In his car, maybe.
“Yeah, The Doors and Led Zepplin are my favorites,” he said.
We met the Nirenberg family on a Saturday morning at Hardberger Park where they were abiding by 7-year-old Jonah’s rule: No Sitting Saturdays.
So the family gets moving on the weekends whether it’s a game of catch, walking their Boston terrier, Moses, or doing community service.
“My son has a great way of helping summarize my job which is 'have I made the world better?'” Nirenberg said.
“One of my biggest dreams of being a father was being able to go out and play catch with my son,” he added. “And it’s finally happening. It’s awesome.”
Born in Boston, Nirenberg grew up in Austin and came to San Antonio to attend Trinity University.
He met his wife at graduate school in Philadelphia. They were the only two Texans in the program.
“I like to say that we were destined to be together,” he said with a smile. “Erika is quick to point out that I chased her for a long time before she agreed to date me.”
The two struck a deal back then.
He agreed to cut his rocker hair, so she agreed to go out with him.
And the rest is history, as they say.
"We both want our son to grow up here, and we'll probably stay here the rest of our lives,” said Nirenberg.