5/1/08

The growing pains.

You know usually when I sit down to write one of these I have 18 tabs open in FireFox will all my supporting information, articles, and data.

Not this time. This time I am speaking to you off the cuff, and from the soul.

The Times, The Chamber of Commerce, and several other groups have endorsed Harris, Lea, Price, and Rosen.

The question is, why would they want the ticket that could keep Roanoke stagnant for another 2-4 years?

Harris is done, and has been for a while now. He reached the end of his usefulness with a trip to Mexico bought and paid for by a developer who then came with his hand out asking for city monies. Harris has his own troubled personal life which he needs time off to perhaps "prayerfully" go and think about what HE values. He is a man with a overinflated ego, who is supposed to be a man of God. Think about him in those terms, and you'll see where the trouble lies. Plus, it's hard enough to trust any politician - now your talking one who is also a minister? Oy Gevelt!

Lea is not a bad man, but has fallen in with a bad crowd. The ForTheHarris crew elected last time around has sunk a large hook into Lea - and they are buddy-buddy now. Lea never strikes me as a visionary, or someone who is capable of great thought. Not that he is not a smart man, but he is not a forward-looking one. So far, everyone keeps touting his founding of a sporting event. Ok.. so? Anyone for a game of Sandlot baseball? $5 bucks a head and we can donate the money to the hospital's children's services. Ok - so how hard was that? By the way - Sherman, watch what you say to the media - that's really what got your buddy Dowe evicted. When he accidentally came out with the City's negotiating to land a 2nd hotel Downtown, thats when the fuse was lit.

Anita Price, who are you and what do you want from us? She's a counselor for the City Schools - so combine her with Trinkle, and you have psychological help nearly from cradle to grave available on the City Council. Other than that? Can't really find anything - although I have to say, I will have a hard time supporting a candidate who allows her yard signs to be placed in medians and on public property. That's tacky.

And finally, Court Rosen. A fellow who I have personally met, and spoke with, and felt the need to wash my hands after speaking with. A person who stands to gain huge from a source no one thought of yet. Mr. Rosen was weaned in the halls of Congress as a lobbyist. And not just any lobbyist - but one for the Pharmaceuticals industry - a Billion Dollar Lobbyist. It was there he learned to speak in his vagaries, and offer no compelling visions - just wispy ideas that come and go like wind. He speaks to everyone, but for no one. Offering no real positions to pin him down on, claiming everything needs more study. He is a young professional who made his money in DC, decided to get out of that game and become a Land Spec Developer down here, and now sees the dollar signs popping up from the Carilion med school. A Pharma Rep in Roanoke + a med school in Roanoke = $$$$$$$$

This run for City Council, and all the various other meetings he shows up to, are purely for the display of his face. Making sure people know what he looks like seems to be very important to him, although personally I would rather know what he is thinking. Or if. I have heard rumor that Mr. Rosen might be a touch on the ditzy side. You know who else is a Pharma rep? The wife of Valley Forward's leader, Mrs. Lugar. You know who else is a Land Spec Developer? One of the board member's of Valley Forward, Mr. Fralin. Maybe being these things are what makes one a "young professional." Don't know, I'm not one apparently.

Anyway - these are the options the Times and Chamber of Commerce have seen fit to thrust upon us all.

I ask one thing of you folks. You all know I am the earliest announced candidate for the 2010 election. Please, think about what you are giving me to work with. For the good of the City, and all it's citizens - think hard about who will be in power 2 years from now.

I'll have one more post, covering the rest of the candidates before election day, but start thinking now where you want this city to be in 2, 5, 10, or even 20 years - and who is actually going to get it there.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

The local media and various interest groups offering endorsements act as if we only have two choices in this race. They offer competing slates of candidates and suggest that we must choose one or the other.

Harris, Lea, Price, and Rosen will clearly side with the current majority and give us more of the same for another two years. Bowers, Wishneff and Garner will oppose the majority, resulting in the same sort of prolonged deadlock we had prior to the last election.

We do have a third choice. Vote for the individual candidates of your choice from both slates, and don't elect a voting bloc with a predetermined agenda. When council members are required to debate ideas based on their merits rather than the size of their voting bloc, we might see some positive results for a change.

Anonymous said...

I'm just impressed at how so many pertinent city issues are being kept very hush hush with the upcoming elections:

- Rockledge - nothing new on that front

- RFD/budget - job losses, station closings, dated equipment

- the ole' credit card spending

- the councilman with the conflict of interest

- the horrible school system which just today decided to close two schools

- the police dept that seems to run afoul on occassion (Joe needs to go)

- the City Mgr who has questionnable behaviors and also needs to go...

the list goes on.

Unknown said...

Chris,

Not so in regards to three independents. We do not agree on many things. Brian is for Mill Mountain or something up there ... I am not. I don't completely agree with he and David's downtown agenda.

The amphitheater should be tabled. Come home from the amphitheater and find your house burned down because there was not enough fireman or engines.

David wanted to keep ALL the schools open - yes, that would be nice but not practical with student population dropping resulting in less state funding.

Just so you know we are not all alike. David is going to be mayor. Just imagine David as Mayor with Rosen, Lea, Price, Trinkle, Mason, and Nash.

I think Rosen will get in but soon after will show the side he hides but it will be too late. Roanoke does not understand the Washington quick step.

Roanoke RnR said...

I think if I were a city resident I'd have a hard time pulling the lever for any of the mayoral candidates. For council...best wishes to Valerie Garner who seems like one of the few to actually make her positions known. I believe Court Rosen will also be elected with the "young professional" vote.

Anonymous said...

No way does Rosen win on the YP vote. There are about 200 active young professionals and not all live in the City of Roanoke nor do all support him. Myself especially. I have been against this guy from the very beginning and have convinced many of my friends and colleagues against him.

I wouldn't count on that too much, plus Courtney doesn't resonate well with the Williamson Road bloc. That poll that was conducted also only touches 1200 people. I don't think it can be relied on.

Anonymous said...

oh and by young professional I'm talking 22-30. With 30 being a stretch, they are called professionals.

Anonymous said...

I am not a city resident but am a Roanoke city Firefighter. We are in a huge fight right now to keep an Enigne in service. Some of you may know that we showed up at council chambers with 91 firefighters to oppose the current budget cuts. Rumor has it that Nelson Harris was there and saw how many of us were there and left. We were able to see the city manager writhed in her seat because she didn't think she would get much of a fight. We put the facts and figures out there and showed that yes the citizens and even us as firefighters would be in more danger with less people there to fight the fires. You may not agree with them but Bowers and Wishneff both were there for us and I am asking each and everyone of you that are city residents...It is time for a change in that municpal building starting with the mayor, city council and our dear city manager. They have over stayed their welcome, so Please get out and vote on Tuesday it very well could be your life on the line. Thank you

Unknown said...

I was at the budget meeting and stood up for the firefighters and spoke. I was the only one.

Bowers and Wishneff are holding a press conference at Station 13 at 11:00 am on Monday. They did not include me. I just emailed them to ask if I could be there.

I received a letter (to all neighborhood presidents) from Ms. Burcham regarding the budget cuts in the fire department.

Anonymous said...

http://www.roanoke.com/politics/wb/160573

Perhaps your opinions as well as other bloggers will have an impact on what issues should take priority!

Anonymous said...

Keith, just so you know, you are confusing Mrs. Lugar as a Pharma rep. She is not, a different set of Lugars.