It's important to know who's seeking office—and why
by Attica Scott
"The question . . . is no longer what to do, but whether there is still time in which to do it."
—Charles E. Silberman, 1964
As we all know, there are 30 candidates running for Knoxville City Council seats in this upcoming primary election. Do we know why they are running? Do we know what they will do for our city?
These are questions that we all need to ask of the candidates. It takes more than just name recognition to govern.
I am a constituent in the 4th District, so I am interested in district issues. Beyond that, I am a resident of the City of Knoxville, so I am interested in how the current crop of candidates envision bringing unity across the districts and in establishing a long-term vision for our city.
While it is important for candidates to put their energy into campaigning in their respective districts, they also need to realize that the districts are not insular areas set apart from the city as a whole.
I have a lot that I am looking for in a candidate: Are they running for self-gratification? What has been their involvement in community and economic development issues? Is the candidate knowledgeable or at least willing to research issues? Will they be open to constituent concerns?
We all have to be clear as informed voters as to the issues the candidates are passionate about and whether or not they bring the knowledge and skills necessary to adequately address them. I'd like to know how many candidates have a platform that they can consistently articulate. Is this platform in writing or will it fluctuate based on the need to one-up the competition?
I can't allow myself to vote for someone because they are my friend. I must vote for the person who will be the best representative on City Council.
As a person of color, I am seeking out those candidates who realize that there still remains a wealth of work to do to truly make Knoxville a more viable place economically and politically for people of color. I will not vote for a candidate who does not see the need to be forthright in their outreach to historically underrepresented constituents.
This also means that, as people of color, we need to support one another in our efforts to run in districts other than the 6th District. If we limit ourselves to one district, then we continue to perpetuate an unrealistic stereotype that we all live in East Knoxville or thereabouts.
All City Council candidates have been invited to a Community Forum co-sponsored by the Knoxville Branch NAACP and the Knoxville Region NCCJ to answer some of your questions and to address some of your concerns. I encourage each and every one of you to attend this forum—the largest gathering of all of the candidates prior to the primaries—and be prepared with your questions to the candidates.
The forum is on Monday, July 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Family Investment Center. All candidates will have a written platform available for the audience so we can move forward as informed voters.
July 26, 2001 * Vol. 11, No. 30
© 2001 Metro Pulse
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