The thing I find most surprising about local politics is how quickly things can go negative.Here we are more than three months from the primary election and the negative attacks on me have already started. I’m very idealistic when it comes to the political process, but I knew they would start. I know my skin will have to get thicker.I still think the campaign should be about ideas, but the focus will now be on determining if ideas can beat no ideas. Can change beat the status quo?

To be honest, I don’t mind the negative attacks in as much as it gives me a feeling of comfort that the other side doesn’t have ideas upon which to campaign. It’d be one thing if the electorate was being told that using technology to make goverment more efficient was a foolish pursuit. Or that the decison to improve the exterior facade of City hall at a cost of over $1M or 10 yearly payments of $109,365 through 2010 was a wise one. Or that it’s more beneficial to spend $205K in order to pay off developers such as Biltmore Homes is a much wiser use of the general fund than say bus service or police officers or a replacement for the 31 year-old aerial truck in fire department or recreation or fixing the Freighthouse or subsidizing festivals.

If the other side was saying those things to counter my ideas and claims, it would be understandable. Instead, the negative attacks just seem desperate.

Please take a moment to take Biltmore’s survey on the Water Street Project. If we’re going to give them all of this money, we may as well make them earn it.

Finally, all apologies may be sent HERE.