The only real criticism I can think of is that Bill Haslam is one of the largest donors in the state to Bush-Cheney and now to Fred Thompson. His own governing philosophy is clearly different from the hard-right GOP of today. So why does he spend money supporting them? That obviously doesn't affect his mayorship over the city of Knoxville and should probably be separated from any consideration of whether or not to vote for him. But surely he shouldn't be given a pass for his outsized support for today's monstrous Republican Party.

Haslam raised taxes and has given it to the richest in our society. Sounds Republican to me.....

Haslam and City Council have had 1 property tax increase in four years and he said on TV yesterday that he doesn't anticipate one for next year. As for "giving it to the richest," I don't get it. Be specific, FrenchHarp. -- s.

Mr. Emge, aka frenchharp,

...and has given it to the richest in our society

Details please. Name an instance where Haslam has raised taxes and given those dollars to the 'richest in our society'>

Ms. Borges,

Her stated intention would be to seek a lot more public input from every neighborhood in the city, not make downtown and the far West neighborhoods her major priority

For one, downtown is one area where the city can grow it's tax base substantially. It is and should be a major priority. And, in what decision by the Haslam administration has there been anything but extensive public input from anyone, from any neighborhood?

These are all easy statements to make, but very difficult, if not imposiible, to prove.

I noticed the identical values months ago on the Green and Isa websites. I think someone from the Green Party designed her site and did it deliberately and not for anything sinister. She should have given that as her answer rather than saying they were her words. I was at the Dem convention when Isa was elected ward chair. She said she was still a Democrat but the Greens were helping her run for mayor, along with others. Some take this race with the same seriousness as when Madeline ran and are set to blame the Democrats if she looses. I know Isa a bit from work and know those helping her, but for months I've had the same serious questions about her resume that they asked her on WATE yesterday. The downtown development is coming to the neighborhoods, though I am still waiting for a reply from Bob Becker on what that really means for Old North.

I remember for years the complaint was, we are developing over here but ignoring downtown. Now its we are developing downtown and ignoring everything else.....

How much did the city give to the developers of South Grove which was on Green space and outside of the growth boundary?

I was impressed that Bill Haslam "got" that improving inner city schools is the # 1 way to counteract sprawl. But I wonder how much he can influence the school administration.

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Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs

Submitted by CBT on Mon, 2007/09/24 - 1:56pm.

For one, downtown is one area where the city can grow it's tax base substantially.

"Can" is the operative word. Since just about every major downtown development has been granted a TIF, the growing tax base does not generate current tax dollars. Like it or not, it's the suburban growth that's generating the increased tax dollars.

GO VOTE!
Vote Haslem!!