Whoa! Now we're getting serious. Craig Scharton has thrown down the glove, challenging Mayor Alan Autry to a debate on the merits and demerits of the mayor's plan for a downtown Kern St. River. Scharton posted his challenge on the MindHub digest, a forum run by the Creative Fresno group.
Craig envisions a "a friendly debate, in the good old-fashioned, American town hall-style of democratic rational repartee."
But I see it as a chance to do a remake of "High Noon" -- a showdown between good and evil in the dusty streets of downtown Fresno. Don't know which debater would be cast in the role of Will Kane, the stoically heroic marshal played by Gary Cooper. Take your pick, perhaps depending on your take on the river plan itself.
Besides, a movie remake would be a chance for another duel, this one between the wonderfully redundant city and county film commissions.
Here's Craig's full post suggesting the debate.
Dear Mayor,
I don't know if anyone told you this, before your recent post, but you are now an official hubber.
In light of my recent open letter to you and your good-hearted response, I thought that I might be able to interest you in a friendly debate, in the good old-fashioned, American town hall style of democratic rational repartee.
Maybe we could let the Downtown Association sell tickets and put the money toward art restoration on the mall or toward trees. Maybe we could get a good-natured moderator like John Wallace.
No name-calling, hitting below the belt or spittin'(I admit it, I occasionally dip snuff). I'd even be willing to consider a creative wager of some sort...maybe the loser has to read aloud chapter five of Jane Jacobs' "Death and Life of Great American Cities" on the free speech area on the Fulton Mall?
Game?
Craig Scharton
I REMEBER YEARS AGO FRESNO HAD MEANDERING STREAM AND RUNNING FOUNTAINS ON THE MALL.THE CITY COULDNT MAINTAIN THAT, WHAT MAKES THE COUNCIL THINK THEY COULD MAINTAIN A LAKE?
I recall they were maintained pretty nicely before the voters passed Proposition 13. Our parks, schools and streets were in better shape, too.