My continous stalking of Mike McGinn

Today brings the first State of the City address. I could have gone downtown and watched live, but that just sounds awful. Plus, Lili would be horribly bored. So, I'm watching from home. I wonder what he's going to say...shhhh...pay attention, Michael!!!

I'm going to eat some Lucky Charms while I watch.

One of the first topics that the mayor touched on was crime, specifically violent crime amongst our youth. I appreciate that he tied this in to the broader issues of class and socio-economic deficiencies in our city. That being said - I think we all know that something needs to be done. Mr. Mayor - what are you going to do?

After a bit of rambling about growing up on the East Coast, our economy not having a foundation in chain stores, and how idealism is a good thing (so pragmatism is a bad thing?), he got to the meat. The "big challenges" facing our city.

First things first, there is the budget. Mr. McGinn and I think just about everyone are in agreement. This is the most important thing that is facing the city and the Mayor's office. Without really getting into specifics, he gives on the GOP/Ben Nelson line of "reduc[ing] expenses", doing more with fewer people, and after laying off as many people as possible, maybe considering revenue increases (taxes).

It will be interesting to hear details. To hear what Mr. McGinn thinks are the programs that are too fat and bloated, and that we can either do without, or do with less people.

This is especially prevalent when you look at the second big challenge he mentions, not supporting the youth of this city "the way we should". Yes, there is an achievement gap. Yes, youth violence is on the rise. And apparently unemployment amongst youth is a major issue (define youth...I think of youth as under 18, and didn't realize we really tracked unemployment of teenagers under 18).

His response to the issue is holding town halls, reaching out to community members, educators, executives, etc, ask them what needs to be done, and do it. I agree that this is an issue that is extraordinarily complex. I understand that the mayor has no direct understanding, having spent 10 years as a corporate lawyer, doing well enough to start his own little non-profit funded by Vulcan. Are his children in public schools? So yes, there will be some major learning that will be necessary. But what I want to know - while you're out there getting all of this input, Mr. Mayor, what are you going to do? Are you going to work with the library system to help shore up a system that is bleeding employees and cutting hours? Are you going to work to expand the child-care assistance the City provides, to cover more families that qualify? Perhaps that program will only work with certain after-school childcare programs that basically extend the school day. And more police kiosks in high-crime areas. What are you going to do while you try to get input on what to do?

I think we are all in agreement that infrastructure is in dire need of help in this city. Potholes, lack of transportation alternatives, water and sewer, the power grid, fiber optics, stormwater runoff. It's good to hear that Mr. McGinn has the intention of looking at these problems, and tackling them head on. Admitting that they are expensive, and need to be done, is a great step, and I hope he means it. Fixing deteriorating infrastructure creates jobs now, and keeps our city wonderful for years to come.

Which leads to the bike and pedestrian plans. Yes, these are necessary, and great plans. Yes, they are underfunded. I am still waiting to hear how the Mayor's office plans to fund them, and when to expect that commitment to begin. Additionally, helping the county find more money for Metro sounds good, but tell me what that looks like. I think it would be more in the interest of the City to work with the County to have more control over what routes look like. And to really pressure Metro to get rid of the 40-40-20 plan, which, ultimately, hurts our great city.

Mr. McGinn has put a line in the sand...sort of...on the 520 replacement. But I want to know how he thinks that we can pay to put light rail across 520 when we still are working on getting it across I-90. Perhaps this is a bargaining ploy to have two lanes dedicated to bus rapid transit?

And the Big Dig can, in no way, be compared to what we're doing to replace the Viaduct. But, it seems he's finally letting go of the pipe dream that this won't be built, either as four lanes in a tunnel, or six lanes in a new viaduct.

And he knows there will be cost overruns. We have a psychic for a mayor!!!

His appeal for more deregulation I have mixed feelings about. While on the one hand, I totally agree with the park and ride lots, and facing reality to allow for some short term relaxation of rules to help keep the local economy from spiraling out of control, I would hope that he wouldn't be pushing for allowing long-term projects that go around the rules in order to allow for short term economic gains.

Overall, Mr. McGinn seems to understand the state of the city. While I didn't hear any big plans, or much in the way of plans at all (other than town halls for youth and family services), I confess that I am glad he didn't put forth any major plans at this stage. So far those haven't turned out so well, and perhaps he has realized his political mistakes.

And why is it that Bruce Harrell has to stand to talk?