Musical Politics
Even those without a political bone in their body should recognize that Saturday’s mayoral election comes at a critical juncture in Austin’s history. Regrettably, all the discussion of how to fix the city’s ongoing economic slump has overshadowed important issues facing the music community. “TCB” contacted leading mayoral candidates Marc Katz, Brad Meltzer, Max Nofziger, and Will Wynn (via campaign manager Mark Nathan) to find out where they stand.
Smoking Ban
KATZ: I am a restaurant owner, a club owner, a record-label owner — I am thick into the music business. The smoking ban will kill the music industry in Austin. I saw in The New York Times yesterday or today that business is already down 40% since their ban passed April 1. We are in such an economic bind right now. We can’t afford to lose any more business. I guarantee you that 85% of our guests in nightclubs smoke, and the other 15% don’t mind. You can’t legislate supply and demand. If more people wanted nonsmoking clubs, we’d have ’em.
MELTZER: Small businesses in Austin, as well as families, are facing tough economic times. This is not the time to place additional financial burdens on small businesses nor additional taxes on families. My restaurants, Benihana, are nonsmoking. But that was my choice. Let’s leave the choice with the small businesses, especially during our faltering economy.
NOFZIGER: I am not supporting that. I support maintaining the current ordinance. I think it’s been working well. It would really be too bad if the council were to overreach on this. I think they should let sleeping dogs lie and let the market work. I’m real concerned about the city intruding into the marketplace.
NATHAN: Will is against the proposed expansion of the smoking ordinance. His primary concern is the potential economic impact, particularly on our live music venues.
Sound Ordinance
KATZ: Also equally insensitive to the industry. If you move near a nightclub, you’ve got to expect noise. We need to play music and our music needs to be heard. [The ordinance] is changing our complexion; it’s risking our brand. It goes right to the core of who we are. It exemplifies how much City Council is out of touch with Austin. They put the capital “V” in vanilla.
MELTZER: Location, location, location. An across-the-board, one-size-fits-all ordinance is wrong. Location matters. The ordinance must be flexible.
NOFZIGER: I’ve heard a lot of complaints and concerns from the music community. I think we should review it at the six-month mark — have a public hearing, let the Music Commission get input from the music community. See how it goes. I’m viewing it with a jaundiced eye, because of what I’ve heard from the music community.
NATHAN: Will believes we should implement the new noise ordinance and see whether or not it’s workable from the perspective of both venues and neighbors. If not, he’s open to revisiting the ordinance.
Austin Music Network
KATZ: I’m for AMN, but I’m against the format it has now. AMN as a commercial outlet has incredible potential, but to keep dumping in money where people aren’t responsible for the bottom line [isn’t good]. It’s a private-sector type of thing — the city has as much business in music as a bank does in salami. These three issues are symptoms of a bigger problem. I’m ready to burst here.
MELTZER: If the city wants to spend $600,000 promoting Austin music and musicians, and I think it should, then the money should be given to a medium that has national reach, such as Austin City Limits. Or give the money to the Convention Center or the Chamber of Commerce and designate it for national promotion purposes. The Austin Music Network reaches out to no one. It’s like admiring oneself in an expensive mirror, alone.
NOFZIGER: I’m not giving up on it. My ultimate goal would be for it to be self-sustaining. In my first term, we would wean it from the city and get money from the hotel/motel bed tax. I don’t think we’ve really had a mayor who cared about it. It’s been a political punching bag. The council has not been decisive and has handled it poorly. The Music Network will be gone unless I’m elected mayor. All the other candidates want to kill it.
NATHAN: Will does not support continued city funding for the Austin Music Network. At a time when the city is expecting a $75 million budget deficit for next year, basic city services must be prioritized. Will is hopeful that the city can find a private-sector entity to keep AMN on the air.
This article appears in May 2 • 2003.