During Ron Littlefield's two-term tenure as Chattanooga's mayor, critics have accused him of micromanagement. But as he heads into his last years in office, even many of those critics will have to admit he's charging down a management path that's decidedly macro.
The broad objectives he outlined in his State of the City address last week include his support of:
n Consolidation of city and Hamilton County services, including police, parks and recreation and public works, in the name of yielding a more efficient metropolitan government.
n The building of "green," or environmentally friendly, infrastructure that fits with the city's sustainable approach to progress. This began years before with projects such as the Chattanooga Convention Center, which among other innovations, uses natural sunlight. Mr. Littlefield wants all new city buildings built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.
n Building a new "world-class" public library for the city, with a first step being a new one in Brainerd, near Eastgate Mall.
OK, so he also took a dig at the Chattanooga Housing Authority, saying, "We need a partner, not a problem child," but the point is valid, since as Chattanooga continues its march to become a front-running American city in terms of innovation and sustainable growth, synergy among the biggest moving parts is critical.
As City Councilman Jack Benson noted, Mr. Littlefield's vision was striking in both detail and scope.
The mayor is on to something with his detailed plan. These are the final steps in a long process that could make a decided difference in the future. That doesn't mean everything will happen easily. Nothing on such a large level ever does. There's always pain in progress. But we can't tackle the small without first outlining the big.
Mr. Littlefield has done that very effectively.
E-mail David Magee at dmagee@timesfreepress.com.