Be inclusive, but not reactionary; lead us, support the arts, and build a downtown cinema!
by Brian Conley
Dear Mayor-Elect Haslam,
I'd like to congratulate you and welcome you as Knoxville's new mayor-elect. I also want to wish you good luck. Your tenure at the helm of our city will begin at a very challenging time when budget constraints will weigh heavily on the decisions you must make pertaining to economic development and downtown revitalization.
I would also like to warn you that those decisions will be made in the proverbial fishbowl, and that it is inevitable that scrutiny and criticism (sometimes harsh and unfair criticism) will follow. That will be true, irrespective of how good your intentions are or how sound your reasoning is. And while I would advise you to pay heed to your detractors when such criticism is valid, I would also encourage you to stay true to your convictions. This city needs a leader, not a reactionary.
This brings me to the issue of public participation or "process." We need it. I believe that there is merit to the mantra Ms. Rogero adopted throughout her campaign that for too long, there have been too few people making decisions in this city. A dearth of public input on key issues, especially where capital improvements are concerned, will lend credence to the perception that decisions regarding the expenditure of our tax dollars are made in a vacuum. That said, I also believe that—as you have stressed—such processes must have deadlines. We need to be more inclusive, but that inclusiveness must not lead to paralysis.
That is especially true where downtown revitalization and economic development are concerned. Those issues are directly linked and we must not lose the crucial momentum we have gained over the last couple of years. Specifically, we need you to help make the downtown cinema a reality, for it is the anchor and key to the successful revitalization of Market Square. We are already in the midst of spending $6.8 million renovating the Square and Krutch Park, and are about to embark on a $14 million garage project that will include a privately funded housing and retail component. But, as Kinsey Probasco (the Square's redevelopment team) have consistently stressed from the beginning: "Without the movie theater, you may as well do nothing." Do not let the expenditure of more than $20 million go for naught. Find a way to get the cinema built, preferably while saving the historic facades on the 500 block of Gay Street. A beautiful, historically preserved downtown will draw more businesses and residents into our center city. A cinema, accompanied by restaurants, galleries and various retail establishments will help foster an active, entertaining environment that will keep our children from wanting or needing to leave after college.
When it comes to quality of life issues, we as Knoxvillians have sometimes been collectively guilty of being too frugal. We seem to say, "It's nice here. Don't raise my taxes. Leave me alone, and everything will be just fine." But we cannot afford to neglect ourselves any longer. We have to take pride in our city and, while I'm for exhausting every option before raising taxes, we must do whatever it takes to help our city grow and prosper.
Support for the local arts community is a key factor in that equation. We have many great artists in this city and creating an environment in which they can thrive will enrich all our lives. By supporting the arts, you can help Knoxville find its identity in the richness and diversity of its own culture.
This city needs you to help bring it together. I have the sense that, while you and Ms. Rogero behaved civilly toward one another throughout the campaign, there is a deep divide separating the two camps. You must not let any ill will fester. You should reach out across this community and put any pettiness or thoughts of retribution where they belong: in the dustbin of the past.
You will soon be faced with many important decisions. Surround yourself with a group of trustworthy advisers who come from diverse ethnic, social, economic and religious backgrounds. Encourage them to tell you the truth and not just what you want to hear. Be honest and open with City Council and, when it's time to make an important decision, do your best to choose wisely. Know that you will make mistakes but, above all, do not be afraid to lead.
Remember, we elected you. It therefore follows that we believe in you and in your vision for our city. Stay true to it and to yourself.
October 2, 2003 * Vol. 13, No. 40
© 2003 Metro Pulse
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