Downtown Knoxville Mayoral Debate - and My Endorsement

Early voting has begun and the time seems appropriate to address the mayoral race. I tend to approach these things more intuitively rather than analytically, so my opinions are often difficult to articulate. I'll try to clearly state the reasons for the conclusions I reach, but in the end they are based as much on my sense of the individuals involved as the positions they've taken on the issues.

I attended the recent mayoral debate and I'll admit I was underwhelmed. I suppose the questions, which were related to downtown issues, covered the necessary ground, but they just didn't seem to make the distinctions between the candidates I'd hoped. And then there are the candidates themselves. Not a strong field top to bottom. In my mind, however, there is a clear top and a clear bottom.

Madeline Rogero, Mark Padgett, Ivan Harmon and Bo Bennett

According to the lady sitting in front of my with her City People shirt on, the crowd was a good one. I estimated 75-100 people in attendance and she said some of the other forums had garnered a dozen or so. A number of the crowd included politicians running for other offices and looking to catch any stray votes they might encounter.

In attendance were Bo Bennett, Ivan Harmon, Mark Padgett and Madeline Rogero. Mr. Hultquist was missing. I only know two things about Mr. Hultquist: He kept the engine of his massive, gas guzzling travel trailer running on Wall Avenue last First Friday and he didn't show for the downtown debate. He's off my island.

The only thing that stood out to me in the opening statements was the "green" emphasis by Madeline Rogero. I gave her that round simply because she said something of substance. The first question centered on the Crandall Arambula plan and whether their vision for downtown aligned with that or differed. Bo Bennett didn't answer the question or refer to the plan. I wasn't sure he knew what it was. Mr. Harmon knew the plan but gave a vague answer about deferring to groups like CBID and City People. Mr. Padgett dismissed the plan off-handedly. Ms. Rogero obviously knew the plan well and said she'd incorporate elements of it with current input. First question goes to Ms. Rogero.

On how to recruit businesses that would in turn promote residential growth downtown, none of the answers stood out. On the issue of panhandlers, Ms. Rogero, again, had the strongest answer involving a combination of law enforcement and education of the populace to the fact that giving money does not help the problem. Regarding increasing parkland acreage downtown, none of the candidates were enthusiastic. Ms. Rogero indicated we need to grow businesses downtown. Mr. Harmon indicated that we have many parks already and Mr. Padgett suggested that we connect them better. I'd give a slight edge to Padgett on that answer.

The least satisfying answers came on the question of what to do about Henley Street and whether the candidates would act before the bridge re-opens. Bo Bennett must not have understood the question as he talked about getting the bridge finished quickly. Mr. Harmon's answer was almost as bad, as he talked about getting more traffic to use Henley/Chapman to get to the Smokies. Ms. Rogero said flatly, "A road diet won't work."

Questions about signage for downtown, parking and development on the southern side of the river yielded nothing of note. The answers were very bland, limited as they were by a significant time restraint and perhaps due to the inevitable fatigue from so many forums asking probably similar questions. The closing statements, likewise seemed worn. The only thing that stood out there was Mr. Harmon's emphasis on cutting waste, cutting taxes and cutting spending. Not much vision there.

So what do we have? I've eliminated Mr. Hultquist. He clearly doesn't share my ideals. Mr. Bennett is probably a nice man, but he does not have the experience, polish or presence to assume the position. My impression of Mr. Harmon is that he would be a dominating figure who would team with Burchett in ways that would not serve downtown well. Mr. Padgett does not have the experience nor the knowledge to be mayor at this time.

That only leaves one man standing - and she's a woman. I'm endorsing Madeline Rogero for Mayor of Knoxville. I think we have the best chance to continue the momentum we've established with her as our leader. I realize I'm not a member of the established media (a fact reinforced that night when they would only let the "real" media take pictures) and I may be politically naive. But I trust my instincts on this one. She's a genuine person, she's bright, she has the best experience for the job and I think she'll approach each issue in a thoughtful manner.

Whether you agree with me or not, please vote. Elections really do matter and in our day-to-day lives, local ones probably matter more than those on a national level.

Tonight's the Night: Meet Your Future with CBID and Mayors

I'm going to hit the subject again because it is so important. Make sure you get to the Square Room by 5:00. That will begin the 45 minute meet and greet with the staff and board of the CBID, followed by the monthly board meeting at 5:45. This is a rare opportunity for those of us who can't come to the regular middle-of-the-day meetings. If enough of us attend they will probably do this again. If I have to personally eat each and every "light appetizer" it probably won't be repeated.

The board meeting ends in time for everyone to attend the mayoral debate. Meet your future. This meeting promises to be the debate or forum most focused on downtown. Come to both meetings prepared with your questions.
For those of you who may wonder who or what this CBID business is, you could follow the link above (and sign up for e-mail updates). Or you can keep reading, though I'm not your best source of information on the topic, I'll explain a bit:
The Central Business Improvement District was created in 1993 to improve life in downtown Knoxville. While they can't get all the credit, any honest comparison of the state of the city in 1993 versus the state of the city in 2011 suggests that they are doing something very, very well. In a nut-shell, they make decisions about the disbursement of funds for improvements downtown.
The funding comes from a special assessment (IE tax. I know, I just lost all the Republican readers) on downtown businesses and residents. The money most often goes to improving facades on buildings in which developers have agreed to do the work required to make the building usable. The idea is that downtown is improved regardless of the success or failure of the new venture because the buildings are more attractive and stable.
I am happy we have such an organization, though I've heard all the views of the detractors. I don't mind paying extra taxes when the city benefits and I think that is the case in this instance. My only complaint is that the meetings are all held during daytime hours when most downtown residents are working. Many of us can't leave work or simply don't work downtown, leaving us out of the loop of the decision-making.
I think the board heard that concern and they have responded in this small way. Please, please, please support the gesture. Be there. Introduce yourself. Tell them if you'd like to have more meetings scheduled in the evening. What about a quarterly meeting in the evening? There is at least one residential representative on the board (currently Melissa Everett according to this list - oddly the CBID site doesn't name the board), wouldn't it be nice if our representative held at least quarterly evening meetings to update us on the expenditures of our money and the current issues in order for us to express our opinions for them to carry back to the board meetings?
So, as I point out often, you have a choice: Urban Guy eats all the hors d'oeuvres and we likely never have another night meeting or we fight for snacks, ask good questions, express our interest in more evening meetings and maybe we get more such events in the future.
As for the mayoral debate/forum at 7:00 at the Crowne Plaza, if you don't see what an opportunity that is and how important the next mayor will be to downtown, then no amount of explaining can solve that problem.

I'll leave you with a video. Just in case any of you had the sad idea that my title refers to a sappy song by Rod Stewart, I'm posting the real inspiration by the inimitable Mr. Neil Young. Enjoy (and I'll see you tonight, right?!?)

Monday Night is Booked - Write it on the Wall

I know some of you must get tired of me suggesting you go to this musical event or that artistic or literary event, but I absolutely must implore you to attend back-to-back events this Monday night: The CBID event at the Square Room and the Mayoral Debate at the Crown Plaza.

I know - not the mayoral candidates - it's my best mayor picture!

CBID normally meets during the day and downtown residents who work outside the city cannot attend. Here's the current notice making the rounds:

CBID to Hold After Hours Meet & Greet

Meet the staff and board of the Central Business Improvement District, and find out what projects are underway in downtown Knoxville or how to get involved. Swing by the Square Room at 4 Market Square on August 22 from 5-5:45 for light appetizers and social time. The board meeting will begin at 5:45 and will conclude in time to for everyone to attend the mayoral debate hosted by City People at The Crowne Plaza at 7pm.

 . . . which just about sums it up. One of the most important groups in downtown: The Central Business Improvement District, a group to which all downtown property owners belong by virtue of the fact that we pay an extra tax, is holding a rare (unprecedented?) evening meeting. Please attend. If you don't, then they will figure day meetings are fine. I think there should be a quarterly meeting at night so residents who are unable to attend at noon may attend. A good portion of their money is OUR money, so we need to be involved.

The statement above also indicates that consideration will be given to the fact that the most important election to downtown residents is just a few weeks away and the most prominent candidates will be available to discuss the issues most important to downtown and to answer YOUR questions. Don't miss the opportunity. It's too important. Wear your Urban Nation t-shirts and converge en masse on the Square Room and then march on the Crowne Plaza.

Seriously, if you feel downtown is important, you simply must attend both of these events. Your absence will speak as loudly as your presence could have spoken. Be there. Ask questions. Be involved.