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December 23, 2005
What Now? Top ten local stories to watch in 2006
[Cross-posted from the Pulse.]
It’s harder than it looks to avoid treating this as a set of predictions, but we assure you that the following assessment is the result of scientific best practices. Er, except the order. That part we’re leaving to chance.
Crutchfield and Cotton Face Trials
Federal court. The stark legal paper leads off with “The United States v. You.” Heels clack on marble. There are marshals, but none of them is named Mize. (Luckily, one of your attorneys is named Hank Hill.) Breathless constituents and nervy reporters follow every move you make. This is likely the scene playing out in a couple of indicted local officials’ dreams. One wonders how the scheduling will work out when Ward Crutchfield is expected at trial in Memphis and in session with the State Senate in Nashville. Regardless, a host of us will be watching. Many ’Noogans live in the 10th Senate district; some have asked if they should get to put a pinch hitter in the General Assembly until Senator Crutchfield is either exonerated or convicted.
The U.S. v. Crutchfield proceedings will take place in Memphis, but the local media will have a camera-friendly story right downtown in the William Cotton trial. He should have time for it, though, since he doesn’t serve on committees.
Adams and Bailes Face Off
Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair Stuart James has made numerous allusions to his party “targeting” the District 8 County Commission seat. Entrenched incumbent Curtis Adams displays confidence that his very public party switch in 2005 won’t faze his support base. Democrats countywide, who seem both bitter about Adams’ departure and glad to see him go, are placing their hopes in John Bailes. For his part, Bailes is campaigning vigorously to inform voters that his is a very real candidacy, and not merely a token in what is arguably a referendum on Adams. Election 2006 will be a top local story across the board, but we see the 8th District as garnering the most attention. The primary election is on May 2; the general is on August 3.
Water Works
Water – without which we would literally die (meaning, how the heck would they make beer, sweet tea and Coke®?) – should buoy a story to the top on its merits alone, next to air maybe; but if you mix in a utility, a municipality and a, um, liquidation, its placement is sealed. It seems that it’s the municipality part that muddies things. Of course, if the potential seller won’t budge on its proposal of keeping Tennessee-American’s parent company together, this story will quickly sink in the rankings. History shows that it could come back yet again, though, in another year.
(Say, why is there no entry here for air? Will clean air not be a top local story in 2006? What about those emissions tests, anyway?)
Enterprise South
This story will be about sound. Whether it ends up being about the sound of gleaming, ever-so-slightly squat Eurostyle autos jiggling new tires as they roll off the line, or about the sound of lonely tree frogs echoing across Redoubt after the last shin guard has been packed away, we think the public will be listening. If the better part of a year goes by without some vital signs, someone had better start asking some questions.
Bob, Bill and Phil
At least three Chattanoogans are running for statewide office in 2006. Bob Corker, our popular former mayor, is running for the seat being vacated by Senator Bill Frist. Corker leads the fundraising overall, and has substantial leads over his major Republican primary rivals (all the best, Jeff Moder), and has done both for a whole year now. If you just follow the money, Corker and Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. are the likely general election contenders. Though the state GOP might have us believe otherwise, national Republicans are nervous about Ford, Jr.; however, chances are that a Republican will preserve his party’s hold on the seat. Thus the local big story: one of “our boys” has a really good shot at the United States Senate. These campaigns have been grass-rooting it, and of late have held some private waistcoat events, but come January they will hit the big ON switch. Hold on to your campaign buttons, try not to watch too much TV, and recycle those flyers.
We’ll also elect a governor next year, and there’s not as much definition to this race. Governor Phil Bredesen seems to be creating a challenge for himself, with all the allegations of cronyism and cover-up, ostensibly because the other party just hasn’t created that challenge for him. Scooter Clippard bowed out, Fred Thompson was just a pipe dream, and we’re beginning to think that Beth Harwell may not announce after all. Enter Chattanooga businessman Mark Albertini and former karate instructor Walt “Combat” Ward. Albertini, a Tennessee Temple grad and former U.S. Marine, has launched his gubernatorial bid on what might be called a cultural conservative platform. Walt Ward is going to throw a few punches in the Democratic ring.
North Shore Development
Renaissance Park will open and will help define the North Shore on that western end. Look for zoning tweaks and best-use arguments all the way up and down Frazier, too. What started before Coolidge surely is not complete. Amenable public-private balance will likely be achieved, but there will be some bumps getting there.
Southside Landfill
Developers, community leaders, elected officials, and entrepreneurs will continue striving to forge the right solution for the old Wheland property. Things could get heated. There’s sure to be some kind of slagheap as the outcome, but no one can say for sure whether it will be the literal kind. (The latest development suggest a bird sanctuary is coming instead.) [UPDATE: Yes, I completely blew this one. Carry on.]
School Board Dynamics
Yeah, “school bored” is a top ten story. Five out of nine seats are for the taking, and the anti-Register crowd seeks vengeance on those they deem pro-Register board members. The stupid thing is that this fight will take place after Register has resigned. But once both camps are dug in, it wouldn’t do to just call off the battle, now would it?
Groovy New Juvy?
Yet another Grand Jury has returned yet another recommendation for a new jail and a new juvenile detention center. They forgot to drop off the cash needed to build them, though. This is a serious subject that well deserves a great deal of attention. All possible options should be carefully reviewed, and we expect coverage of all sides in the discussion. This issue is likely to be key in conversations people have with the candidates for Sheriff: Dave Alverson, Anthony Chatman, Andy Derryberry, Billy Long, Jim Swafford, and (potentially) current Sheriff John Cupp.
Some Sleaze Epic
You know it, too. Some kind of likkered-up, whore-baitin’ “scandal” that doesn’t deserve mention on the long end of a Saturday night possum hunt, let alone being scrawled across the six o’clock news, will have the whole town murmuring. We don’t want to predict it in specificity, so we’re giving you this one list item to imagine your version of what it might be. Now go wash your mind out with soap.
Bob Corker for Senate , Community , Elections , Government , Pulsations | By joe lance | 09:51 AM