The no-decision candidate
I already felt that Tom Chasteen wasn't the best choice for mayor of Athens-Clarke County, but after reading his forum in the Athens Banner-Herald, I'm more concerned with him falling down a lot while he walks.
Again, one doesn't get any impression of what the District 9 commissioner really feels about the proposed redistricting as he says it's good in one sentence, but poor-mouths it in the next. Does he like it? Does he dislike it? Who knows? He may sincerely not care, but one can't gather that either.
Chasteen also attempts to 'clarify' his statement when he suggested the state government had control over Athens-Clarke County, saying he meant only controlling the drawing of state legislative districts. And that the 'legislature makes decisions on this matter without a lot feedback from our local government, no matter who is in power.' That's true, but only to an extent ... particularly in light of the fact that it was a local government in Madison County that ultimately requested the redistricting. So, apparently, it does matter - a little - who is in power.
OK, all of this is fine and dandy. But what really makes me scratch my head is the absurd claim that Athens-Clarke County approving non-partisan elections is, in actuality, an endorsement of the redistricting. So, deciding that candidates at the local level should be able to vie for office in one general election, thus opening up the process to all voters, means we condone the Georgia General Assembly - and leaders who don't live in Athens-Clarke County - carving up our community for their own personal and political gain?
Listen, I voted for the nonpartisan elections - much to the chagrin of some of my fellow Democrats in the area. My rationale was that it was only fair for all citizens of Athens-Clarke County to be able to vote for their local representatives and not be hindered by the primary process or party allegiance. But how is that even remotely connected to the redistricting efforts?
Thus begins Chasteen's puzzling, confusing 'explanation':
Our community has always survived and thrived on being a little different from the world around us. Imagine - we are no longer saddled with immediate adversaries depending on the political make-up of our government versus that of the state. We have the opportunity to more readily work with members of the state and even national governments without the constraints of party affiliation. That circumstance will open doors to more of the officials we must work with to improve our roads, public services and schools.
No doubt this restructuring will present a challenge, as we will also not automatically have allies through the parties at the state level. But this restructuring is a challenge our community has the chance to take early strides to overcome. One of the strides I think we should take is to be prudent concerning redistricting. Now is not the time to take sides in the battle over lines. In the end, Athens-Clarke County has an opportunity to be in a better position politically, regardless of districts and regardless of the party with the most votes in Atlanta.
If those of us in the Athens-Clarke County government are able to adapt appropriately, and maximize the opportunity inherent in our new nonpartisan mandate, we will find a future where there will always be opportunities to work with state and national officials, and there will be far fewer issues that are beyond our control.
How exactly Athens-Clarke County - a predominantly progressive community - will be 'in a better position politically' by having its population sliced in half and lumped into two predominantly conservative districts is beyond me. And if a group of individuals who don't live in this community and whose political desires are contrary to the majority of citizens in Athens-Clarke County isn't grounds to 'take sides' - no matter how futile or ineffective the fight may be - than what is?
To me, this most recent forum just reaffirms the unnecessary and pathetic posturing Chasteen feels the need to take on with regard to seemingly every issue he confronts. It also suggest such a profound lack of understanding of both the nonpartisan elections and the redistricting bid, that it's hard to imagine many in this community backing his election.
It isn't often that one's clarification may do more damage than good, but it's possible that's the case with Chasteen.
Again, one doesn't get any impression of what the District 9 commissioner really feels about the proposed redistricting as he says it's good in one sentence, but poor-mouths it in the next. Does he like it? Does he dislike it? Who knows? He may sincerely not care, but one can't gather that either.
Chasteen also attempts to 'clarify' his statement when he suggested the state government had control over Athens-Clarke County, saying he meant only controlling the drawing of state legislative districts. And that the 'legislature makes decisions on this matter without a lot feedback from our local government, no matter who is in power.' That's true, but only to an extent ... particularly in light of the fact that it was a local government in Madison County that ultimately requested the redistricting. So, apparently, it does matter - a little - who is in power.
OK, all of this is fine and dandy. But what really makes me scratch my head is the absurd claim that Athens-Clarke County approving non-partisan elections is, in actuality, an endorsement of the redistricting. So, deciding that candidates at the local level should be able to vie for office in one general election, thus opening up the process to all voters, means we condone the Georgia General Assembly - and leaders who don't live in Athens-Clarke County - carving up our community for their own personal and political gain?
Listen, I voted for the nonpartisan elections - much to the chagrin of some of my fellow Democrats in the area. My rationale was that it was only fair for all citizens of Athens-Clarke County to be able to vote for their local representatives and not be hindered by the primary process or party allegiance. But how is that even remotely connected to the redistricting efforts?
Thus begins Chasteen's puzzling, confusing 'explanation':
Our community has always survived and thrived on being a little different from the world around us. Imagine - we are no longer saddled with immediate adversaries depending on the political make-up of our government versus that of the state. We have the opportunity to more readily work with members of the state and even national governments without the constraints of party affiliation. That circumstance will open doors to more of the officials we must work with to improve our roads, public services and schools.
No doubt this restructuring will present a challenge, as we will also not automatically have allies through the parties at the state level. But this restructuring is a challenge our community has the chance to take early strides to overcome. One of the strides I think we should take is to be prudent concerning redistricting. Now is not the time to take sides in the battle over lines. In the end, Athens-Clarke County has an opportunity to be in a better position politically, regardless of districts and regardless of the party with the most votes in Atlanta.
If those of us in the Athens-Clarke County government are able to adapt appropriately, and maximize the opportunity inherent in our new nonpartisan mandate, we will find a future where there will always be opportunities to work with state and national officials, and there will be far fewer issues that are beyond our control.
How exactly Athens-Clarke County - a predominantly progressive community - will be 'in a better position politically' by having its population sliced in half and lumped into two predominantly conservative districts is beyond me. And if a group of individuals who don't live in this community and whose political desires are contrary to the majority of citizens in Athens-Clarke County isn't grounds to 'take sides' - no matter how futile or ineffective the fight may be - than what is?
To me, this most recent forum just reaffirms the unnecessary and pathetic posturing Chasteen feels the need to take on with regard to seemingly every issue he confronts. It also suggest such a profound lack of understanding of both the nonpartisan elections and the redistricting bid, that it's hard to imagine many in this community backing his election.
It isn't often that one's clarification may do more damage than good, but it's possible that's the case with Chasteen.
posted by Jmac at 8:18 PM
4 Comments:
well, said. It's also hard to see how being little more than a chair-warmer on the commission for too many years should translate into a promotion. Tom is really going for something like a "social promotion" with a certificate of attendance. No accomplishments other than just sort of being there for a while - champion of no cause and leader of nothing in particular. A most undistinguished record. The fact that he has been required to vote is the only record he has of any kind.
Amen. Great job, wonderful piece, kudos and woohoos!
aquariusrizing
Anon-
Are you implying that Tom Chasteen is mentally handicapped?
Somewhere in the middle of States McCarter and Tom Chasteen would be a good mayor.
Both get themselves in trouble whenever they try to explain themselves in detail, but for opposite reasons. One says too much, the other says nothing.
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