Traverse City Record-Eagle

Election 2007

November 8, 2007

Editorial: Winners need to act on promises

Traverse City voters -- as they did when they soundly defeated a bond proposal for a parking deck more than a year ago -- dropped the other shoe Tuesday.

They said in unmistakable language they are fed up with the way the city is run.

In no uncertain terms they said they want officials to listen to them and chart a new course for public affairs in their city.

To add emphasis, they sent a group of seemingly tone-deaf incumbents packing.

Now it's time for leadership.

It's up to the incoming crop of officials -- Mayor-elect Michael Estes and commissioners-elect Barbara Budros and Jim Carruthers -- to make good on their campaign slogan. They must listen; they must deliver.

There's much to be done:

-- City residents were promised that taxes and city services would be a top priority. The "We Listen" ticket said they heard the pleas of taxpayers and would attempt to establish a cost-efficient municipal government. The new mayor and commission must clearly enunciate to voters what they are getting for their tax dollar.

-- The rift between downtown advocates and the neighborhoods must end. Clearly, the progress that has been made in establishing a vibrant downtown area cannot be reversed. But at the same time, the city's residential areas deserve more than unwanted stepchild status. They deserve a seat at the table.

-- Economic development plans must be developed for other areas of the city, not just the few-block area downtown.

-- A viable infrastructure plan must be prepared, explained to the residents and implemented. The city's streets, sidewalks and sewers should be a priority.

-- There should be immediate attention given to what Traverse City is to become. The ill-defined planning process -- put a parking deck here; no put it over there, no over there -- has to end. It's all about a vision, and someone's got to have one.

-- The new officials have to open a transparent dialogue with all developers -- not just the ones that make financial contributions to political cronies. Development -- and yes, maybe even a dreaded parking deck -- do not have to be dirty words. What makes "development" distasteful is when it's against the wishes of the electorate.

-- And, finally, there needs to be some fence mending.

The last thing the city needs is incoming winners isolating those who differ with them or oppose them politically. This is no time for retribution or petty game-playing.

The popular Ralph Soffredine, the lone challenged incumbent returning to the city commission, needs to be brought into the new majority's fold. The former police chief and board of education member has acknowledged that his role in the controversial Federated Properties Front Street development proposal was not his finest hour. He says he's learned his lesson and is ready for a greater leadership role on the commission. The newcomers can benefit from Soffredine's experience.

Similarly, returning incumbent Chris Bzdok, who was unopposed for the remainder of an unexpired term, can play a key role in the new commission. Bzdok misjudged the political winds and oddly -- some would say stupidly -- threw in with the incumbents during their ill-fated campaign. In so doing, he forfeited an opportunity to play a centrist role on the commission regardless of the election outcome.

Understandably, Bzdok may be viewed with suspicion by the new members. But this is a crucial time for the city and there is no time for political nonsense.

In many ways, Estes is the key. It's up to him -- in a weak-mayor form of government -- to provide firm but even-handed direction to the commission and the city administration.

But he has his own issues to overcome. Despite his lopsided victory, he is viewed with skepticism by many in the city. He must earn the community's trust. He promised leadership during the campaign. The city expects him to deliver.

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