Herban Sprawl

7 May 2008

I was so pleased by the results of the mayoral election here in the Star City. As I looked over the results of the precincts in this morning’s paper, something hit me about one of my earlier observations about the group of people that ran for council in general. My feeling was that the current crop of Democrats on Council, the mayor included, made better Republicans than they did Democrats. That the “Democratic” ticket won in heavily Republican SoRo and Raleigh Court pretty much validates my opinion.

Luckily his sorta sidekick did not win back his seat. David Bowers doesn’t need the distractions brought by someone like Brian Wishneff. I’m sure the man has some redeeming qualities, but none come to mind. He certainly didn’t want to work with the teachers when he was on school board, and he wasn’t very nice to those who questioned the budget, which is what stewards of the public’s trust are supposed to do. But, like I said, I’m sure he’s not totally bad. The best thing he could do is to step away gracefully and turn his attention to putting together business deals that benefit the city. I’m told this is what he excels at.

Now, however, David Bowers needs to focus on the future and how he’s going to forge working relationships with a council that was counting on keeping the Reverend Doctor Mayor in power.

If he was sitting here with me, having a shot of my lethal espresso, here is what I would say to him:

“It’s the economy, stupid.”  That sign on James Carville’s wall was prophetic then and it’s critical now. But before you can lure businesses to our lovely neck of the woods, there are some key things you need to pay attention to.

First on my list, David:  DO NOT MESS WITH RITA BISHOP! Her plan to redirect Forest Park School has its reasons and before you go pandering to that neighborhood with any more campaign rhetoric, sit down with her and discuss why she selected that school. Trust me on this, I haven’t always agreed with her, but as superintendents go, I have worked for two duds and she’s showing the best chance of pulling the city schools out of the cellar that the previous ones put them in. She’s got her reasons. Think big picture, David, because unlike most educators of my acquaintance, she does, and at 6 feet in her socks, she can see over the whole mess. Then get behind her in this. She’s assembled a capable staff and it’s in her best interest to fix the problems.

Second on my list, David: developing Mill Mountain and the amphitheater are distractions. Table all of that. Focus on what is affordable and doable and what will keep us moving along with the greenways. If an amphitheater has to happen, use the site on Orange Avenue. No floods, no disruption of the downtown vibe, and no need for a lotta porta-potties along Williamson Road.

Third on my list, David: you don’t have a majority so you are going to have to rely on your charm, which you have in spades. The first person you have to charm is the city manager. The main suggestion I have to that end is to remind her of the way things are supposed to work, while thanking her for the foresight and initiative she has already shown. Ask her to please play by the rules, and oh, while she’s at it, suggest that you don’t much care for disgruntled city employees. You want to make that happen? Put something directly measurable in her evaluation goals. Process, David. Process. Process protects you and it keeps her accountable.

Fourth on my list, David: the Melrose/Orange Avenue corridor is messy and doesn’t help the neighborhoods that lie on either side of it. I’d like to see some attention paid to cleaning up some of those areas so that the residents can come and go with ease and in safety. These are the people who turned out for you this time. Repay them by treating their neighborhoods with respect and viable assistance.

Fifth on my list, David: public transportation and sidewalks. Smaller buses that run on biofuels would allow Valley Metro to expand its routes and its ridership. Be a one-man-band for taking the bus. See for yourself by taking the bus around town. See where you can and cannot go. And pay attention to the time of day, especially third shift. I have a whole cohort of educated women in the local branch of AAUW who will be more than happy to sit down with you and discuss how public transportation can have a positive impact on our community. And that leads into something that has been your Achilles heel –

Sixth on my list, David: regional cooperation on projects like public transportation. If people like to come downtown to the Market on Saturday, what would prevent them from taking a bus? First is that there isn’t a bus near them. Second is that they don’t know how to transport their veggies and plants home. The second part is easy – the city can sell, at a tiny profit, the kinds of carts you see people using for their groceries in the large cities. The first part means you have to be committed to getting along with the other entities in order to do something that will be of long-term benefit to us all.

Use your imagination, David. Anybody who lived in New Orleans knows the value of the streetcar. We don’t need decorative trolleys - we need an infrastructure that will support the nifty stuff like amphitheaters. We need an expanded and fabulous library for the kids that Rita’s trying to save from oblivion. We need the unsexy stuff that makes for neighborhoods filled with pride.

Congratulations, David, and best wishes. I’ll put the coffee on any time you want to discuss issues with a cranky old Democrat.