What's Working has been quiet for a while. It's time to get back with a conversation with mayoral candidate Spiro Chieriogotis. His vision for the City of Mobile is what compelled me to reach out to him for this podcast. Too many mayoral candidates are running on their pasts or, in my opinion, grievances with something or someone. That makes for good fiction or TV movies but not good governance or leadership. Spiro is the only one that I've heard with a compelling vision on where Mobile can go and a plan for getting us there.
We discuss crime which seems to be the siren song of all campaigns everywhere. Crime in Mobile is down. Way down. But you'd not know it to listen to the others. The antidote to crime is not more police (where you going to find them?) or harsher sentencing. It's opportunity. And the majority of violent criminals are between the ages of 18 and 24. How to get their attention? How to present opportunity in a way they find it appealing? Never an easy task.
We also meet Spiro the person. He and I agree that a hot dog overlooking the Mobile River at some new riverfront venue is a great idea. And trolleys (aka street cars) add soul to every city where they exist. It's an ambitious idea.
If you're looking for an unbiased interview of a candidate, this is not it. I'm all in for Spiro. Mobile has momentum. Finally. There's a lot to be done but what CAN'T happen is to lose this momentum. This city was on the brink of brankruptcy and some candidates seem to think those were better times. Not so.
Meet Spiro and you'll see why he has my vote.
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