Publisher: At the polls, records will trump rhetoric

As election season kicks into high gear locally and nationally, all of the candidates—whether they’re running to be our next mayor, Metro Council member, or president—will have to run on their record of performance, says Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister. “Just as in a job interview, it’s not only what the applicant says they can or will do, but what they have actually accomplished in their life” that matters, McCollister says in his latest column. “Sure, their new ideas and plans for the future are very important and should be discussed and debated, but what evidence do we have from their past that they know how to lead and execute to really get things done? Don’t actions and results speak louder than words?” In the local mayoral race, crime is poised to take center stage as a major issue. On that front, McCollister says, both two-term incumbent Mayor Kip Holden and his top challenger, three-term Metro Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Walker, have a long record the voters should take a close look at. “[Holden] should stop using stats to suggest that ‘crime is down,’ ” McCollister says. “Walker is complaining about crime and rolling out a nine-point plan, but where was this plan in the last four years, and why didn’t he lead as mayor pro tem? It sounds like a ‘push card policy’ prepared by a campaign consultant.” Read the full column here; and send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.