Welcome to mcdowellnews.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

mcdowellnews.com - The McDowell News

HomeNewsEntertainmentSportsLifestylesOpinionCommunityWeather Online Tools Jobs | Real Estate | Shopping | Classified

Mayoral candidates making downtown their business

Some say recovery moving along fine; some say Marion is being outpaced

By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: October 7, 2009

Out of all the ruckus about licensing mobile food vendors in downtown Marion has emerged a greater debate over the business environment and its long hoped-for recovery.

The McDowell News spoke with mayoral candidates to hear their visions for the recovery of downtown Marion.

This year's mayoral race is for an open seat, as Mayor Everette Clark has announced he will leave that position. Contesting for the seat are City Councilman Steve Little (whom Clark has endorsed), School Board Member Randy Williams and local businessman Cliff McLarty.

In Little's time as a member of City Council, he said, much has been accomplished.

"We have made the downtown attractive, clean and inviting, creating a positive environment," he said. "The city must constantly re-evaluate (policies). The taxing policies must always be fair and reasonable. The property tax rate in Marion has not increased in over 40 years."

Williams said the city government must inspire absolute confidence that all are treated fairly, and that means equally.

"Any city policy should be about equality," he said. "People need to know they are getting the same treatment as anyone else. If you're doing that, how can you go wrong?"

McLarty said that, after reading The McDowell News' interview with hot dog cart operator Lisa Miller, he was saddened by the city's initial refusal to allow her to operate a cart downtown when she first inquired in the fall of 2008.

"Why would we, as a city, reply to an entrepreneur that way?" he said. The city's response to inquiries like Miller's should be prompt and courteous, he said.

Williams and Little agreed.

Williams said city government should always see itself as a facilitator, not a roadblock. He advocates streamlining services, and said all city departments should be quick to advise citizens on the easiest way to proceed through the red tape, be it city, county or state. He called that "one-stop government."

The city must have, Little stated, "local elected officials and administrative staff with a helpful attitude, who are willing to listen and help individuals. Crucial is a willingness of the City Council to be creative and to adjust policies that create unintended problems."

This week, the council made their third adjustment in as many months to the privilege license fee schedule, setting all at $100 (see related story in today's McDowell News). McLarty and Williams both said the council's about face in privilege license fees sends the wrong message.

While refraining from "Monday morning quarterbacking," McLarty nevertheless said the changes in food vendor license requirements and the ensuing controversy could have been avoided.

"The City Council made their decision based on the information given to them," he stated. "It is up to City Council to question any recommendation for verification of facts."

Williams, too, said the council's hasty action, while well intended, had muddied the waters.

"The City Council has a duty to get their facts and figures before they make a decision," he said. He likened the situation to a "failure to plan."

Infrastructure, services and beautification all combine to create a good business environment, Little stated.

"Downtown parking spaces on the street and in city parking lots still are free. Electrical service lines are underground in the downtown, eliminating an ugly bunch of overhead wires," said Little. "Flowers are planted along Main Street to create a more attractive and inviting appearance."

But again, the other candidates felt the pace of improvement was too slow.

Williams said the positions taken by Crooked Door Coffee House owner Mike Ornberg and Lisa Miller were not that different, and that they had a great number of ideas to offer.

"We need open-minded people to step forward and be willing to think outside the box," he said. "Ornberg was absolutely right when he said that people need a reason to come downtown."

He spoke of the unique personality exhibited by downtown Black Mountain, and said the studies already paid for should be combined with the expressed needs of local merchants. The city now has the framework of a workable master plan, or at least the data on which to draft that plan.

"We need to start acting on it," he stated, and shade trees should be a big part of that.

McLarty said the work can start immediately.

"Buildings need to painted and repaired, broken or boarded up windows need to be fixed or opened and 'cones for trees' need to be replaced," he said. "I agree our Main Street is not inviting.

"If there is not any money in the city budget for new trees, then ask business owners and the public to donate a tree and put a plaque on the tree, stating who donated it," he continued. "I would wager the trees would be paid for in less than two weeks."

Williams emphasized that he had the highest regard for his opponents and for all the councilmen.

"I don't claim to have all the answers," he said, "but I will seek out the best guidance I can find." He said he would strive to get the council to commit to whatever long-range plans the people want, and to see that plan through.

"Anyone who knows me knows I don't do things half way," he concluded.

McLarty said other cities are pulling ever farther ahead of Marion in revitalization.

"We are becoming a more diverse community and others have found Marion to be a great place to live," he said. "When someone says they are going to town, let's make it so they really are going to town. Not just the post office or courthouse.

"And when someone asks 'Where are you from?'" he concluded, "we all can be proud to say 'Marion.'"

Little said he stands on his record with the City Council, and his reputation for thoughtful consideration of all sides.

"No city government can make any business come to town, just as the city cannot make a business be successful or stay open," he stated. "While major changes are sometimes helpful, sometimes they are not. I have no personal involvement in and will not receive any personal financial gain from any city project.

"I am known, I have proven my commitment to Marion over the years and I am dependable," he concluded. "If I am elected mayor, I will do my best. I can make no other promise."