LEO Magazine Says "Tyler Steps Up His Game"

In case you haven't had a chance to pick up a copy of this week's LEO Magazine, below is an article about Tyler.  Check out the rest of the LEO online by clicking here, or pick one up all around town. 

February 10, 2010

Jerry's kids

For progressive voters scanning the mayoral field there isn’t a consensus on which candidate might be their darling. Last week, after the “People’s Forum,” a mayoral candidate discussion hosted by 10 social-justice groups, many community activists in attendance admitted they were left flat and unimpressed.

No candidate stood out, according to organizers, but grassroots advocates sparingly mentioned interest in hearing more from Democrat Tyler Allen, who is called the “big idea” candidate by supporters. Everyone is waiting to see if Allen can fulfill that role as an anti-establishment candidate who will graduate from the class of second-tier mayoral hopefuls and resonate with voters who’ve yet to find a candidate willing to speak to their issues directly.

During a recent interview with LEO Weekly, for instance, the co-founder of 8664 managed to tie the recent service cuts made by Transit Authority of River City to civic leaders, further explaining how a lack of alternative public transit investments have cut opportunities for Louisville’s working people.

“Right when it’s most critical for people to get jobs, the public transportation service is going in the other direction,” he says. “With the rising cost of fuel and automobiles, communities have a responsibility to keep (people) mobile and to have that public infrastructure.”

Earlier this week, Allen called out The Courier-Journal’s editorial board for telling the mayoral candidates to “get with the plan” and support the Ohio River Bridges Project.

“The C-J thinks the candidates for mayor should get in line,” Allen said in a statement. “Louisville deserves a ‘new wave’ of leaders who don’t get in line, but rather listen to the citizens, demonstrate a vision and move Louisville forward, starting with an East End Bridge.”

Earlier this month, Democratic primary frontrunner Greg Fischer, a Louisville businessman, was applauded by some political observers for voicing support for building the East End Bridge, and was in turn scolded by the C-J editorial board.

The Allen campaign is quick to point out that their candidate has been arguing for construction of the East End Bridge for years.

“It is incumbent on any candidate — particularly a self-proclaimed frontrunner — who wants to talk about the East End Bridge to make clear their position on the Bridges Project as a whole, as well as the tolling authority,” Allen says. “Simply saying you support building the East End Bridge now isn’t enough.”

If the Allen campaign can find a way to get their message out to a broader audience more consistently and take a few risks on topics other than transportation, the “one-issue” candidate might actually pose a real threat.

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