As a delegate in Ward 9, I've been contemplating what Kathy's withdrawal
means. First, it means a cozy up by the remaining candidates to get her
delegates. I'm amazed at how fast I got a card in the mail from one
candidate complimenting Kathy on what she has done after blasting her
problems in previous mailings. This card seemed a little disingenuous to
me.
Secondly, I think the debate will suffer by her absence. I don't agree with
Kathy on some issues, but for me it is that disagreement that creates
healthy debate. The challenge is our best friend.
Thirdly, I just don't understand this "whisper campaign" stuff. I think
more than anything, Kathy's tenure suffered from her philosophical
difference between subsidizing downtown businesses for NRP's sake and many
of us who believed that was the wrong path. I am beginning to believe that
the Emperor Mayor has no clothes and that her imaginary coat tails are
getting shorter by the week. Certainly Kathy suffered from being so close
to the mayor on the TIF positions, I wonder if other things aren't in the
wind as well.
Finally, it is now apparent that the remaining candidates must run TOWARDS
something and not AGAINST something else. As I hear talk about NOT investing
in a stadium, NOT subsidizing wealthy corporations, and NOT having
inappropriate relationships with the business world, I am hoping I start
hearing something new. For me those things would include: a transformed
CCP/SAFE system which found a cleaner and more service oriented approach to
city government for police, transportation, inspections, etc. (perhaps even
a central access point that didn't require so many levels of bureaucracy to
traverse); a re-investment in basic services like roads, garbage collection,
and petty vandalism; a focus on investing in businesses that create higher
paying jobs for our citizens; a transformation of our development/planning
agenda that is driven by the future of our people; a clear commitment to
creating spectacular community schools; a development vision that respects
and saves the urban fabric; and a focus on housing development throughout
the city, especially in the downtown core where it will by nature create the
demand for things that we seem to be artificially trying to create through
TIF districts.
Russell W. Peterson
Ward 9
Standish
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