Worried about Voter Apathy, Mayor Peterson Hits Campaign TrailConcerned that only 15 of her closest friends may come out to vote in the upcoming November election, Mayor Peterson hit the hustings with a vengeance today. In a whirlwind appearance, Peterson made what her aides labelled a major policy address at the Eastlawn Cemetery today. Flanked by a uniformed fireman, Mayor Peterson evoked the memory of 9/11, promised to build more housing for lower income families, ram through City Council a bill to recognize gay marriage, hire 15 more policemen, fill in all the City's 2804 potholes by 2008 and lower taxes by 7%.
The Mayor's critics immediately issued a statement that Peterson is "pandering to the graveyard vote." Later appearances the same day might have been targeted at addressing that criticism. Peterson made a second major campaign speech at 4pm on Monday to a group of hikers on the Burns Rd Recreation Way.
In her 15 minute address, Mayor Peterson promised to "draw a line in the sand against unbridled development in the City of Ithaca, plant 35,000 more trees along the Rt 13 corridor, extend summer 5 more weeks and honor the Kyoto Accords on global warming.
The Mayor's busy day was capped off when she greeted shoppers at Wal-mart on Meadow St. Promising to roll back the sales tax to 7%, Peterson exhorted Ithaca's consumers to "shop, shop, shop until you drop. Great retail is what makes Ithaca great."
In recent weeks, Democratic strategists have wrestled with the question of the probable impact on the mayoral election if only .1% of the electorate came out on November 6. In the absence of a Republican contender, Mayor Peterson has not campaigned aggressively until now but, if today is any indication, she is determined to play catchup.
Comments invited at: ezrakidder@gmail.com - Peace, Ezra at 6:47 AM
