Times Editorial : Fayetteville’s loss
Posted on Saturday, May 3, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/64774/
It’s easy for political observers to get caught up in the fun and games of campaigns, acting as if the outcome is about who “ plays the game ” best rather than who will do the best job once the campaign is over and governing is required. Just recently, the entry of Steve Clark into the Fayetteville mayor’s race provided plenty of fodder for comparative off-the-cuff analysis of strengths and weaknesses among the candidates. For some, elections are as much about entertainment as they are examples of democracy at work.
But it’s certainly no fun when serious matters intrude.
Jeff Koenig has withdrawn from the mayor’s race in Fayetteville, citing an unspecified illness for which he needed to devote time for recovery. We wish him the fullest of recoveries with speed.
Perhaps the rest of this year’s race for mayor will be tempered by a recognition that while Fayetteville’s future is important, it’s not more crucial than life and health. Whether a road is widened or a tree is cut down will never be what comes to mind when a doctor explains a diagnosis that requires serious treatment and recovery. At those moments everyone’s thoughts should be about family and friends.
Which isn’t to say that we’re immune to musings about where Fayetteville goes from here. After all, Koening was not some also-ran in a kooky race for constable; by some estimations, he was the frontrunner. His most recent ad of supporters read particularly like a Who’s Who of influential community players.
Following years of conservative rule under the late mayor Fred Hanna, and now, eight years of socalled progressive direction on the part of outgoing Mayor Dan Coody, many people figured it was time for the pendulum to swing back the other direction, making Koenig’s chamber of commerce backing and other business ties an attractive option. The ones remaining after Koenig’s decision to withdraw seemingly don’t fall into the same philosophical corner where Koenig was most comfortable. Koenig’s announcement could arguably open the race up for another contestant or two who believe they can speak to Koenig’s supporters.
It’s certainly unfair to try to paint any of these candidates squarely into a “ liberal” or “ conservative ” corner, but its clear the loss of Koenig’s campaign swings the mayor’s race a bit leftward.
The filing period for city offices doesn’t even open until Aug. 6, so who knows what the final lineup of candidates will be. But it’s still unfortunate to lose a voice in the debate over the city’s future. Fayetteville deserves such a debate, one that elicits a healthy discussion of ideas about growing businesses in Fayetteville, about creating a sustainable environment, about expanding the tax base, about building parks, about planning and controlled growth. All these voices deserve a place at the city’s table — but the person who occupies the mayor’s seat must be that special personality who combines knowledge of the issues and a drive to seek substantive change with the ability to compromise for the sake of the greater good. Who is that personality ? Have we already found him ? Or is that figure still pondering probabilities somewhere in the shadows ?
Mayoral races are an important piece of the way we plan as a community for the future, but Koenig’s need to withdraw can perhaps inform candidates and voters alike that it’s just a process of governance, not life or death. Where the city’s future rests nobody knows, but we’ll find out who is ready to be a leader through the electoral process.
As for today, folks addicted to the guessing games politics encourages should take a break and go enjoy the Farmers ’ Market. It’s only May, and there will be plenty of time for that in the months ahead. Don’t let the race for mayor become a battle between personalities. Instead, try to form in your mind big-picture questions that need solving. How will Fayetteville retain the Walton Arts Center ? In what way can Fayetteville remain the leader of sustainability issues in the decade ahead ? What’s the best way to grow the city’s economy without offending the sensibilities of such a diverse collection of residents ?
And while you’re thinking, you might write Koenig a get-well note.