The caller claimed to be working on a survey about Nashville's downtown convention center proposal but kept saying taxes would go up if the $585 million facility were built, said Pfeiffer, a businessman who supports the proposal.
"I said, 'I don't know that,' " Pfeiffer said. "I said, 'This isn't much of an opinion poll, is it?' It was just a push poll. You could tell it was scripted. It reminded me of something we'd sit down in Shoney's and write up in three minutes."
The convention center opposition group Nashville's Priorities acknowledges that it's behind the calls, but denies it is running a misleading poll and disputed Pfeiffer's account.
RelatedConvention center hotel timing is setback for DeanNashville Metro Council may hear convention hall, hotel financing plans separatelyCompany fighting eminent domain claim says it spent years on land planNashville convention hall plan looks solid in revenue studyProperty owner challenges convention center eminent domain caseMusicians Hall of Fame, Nashville landowners fight eminent domainNashville convention center cost paredConvention center would cost $585 million to buildCritic of convention hall coaches concerned citizensNashville commission rejects convention center referendum ideaMetro to acquire Rocketown site, help teen club move a few blocksNashville convention hall backers trust in tourismMDHA wants land lawsuit dismissedNashville sued in convention center eminent domain caseKey convention center property owner sues MDHAThis much is clear: The final battle over the convention center is fully engaged. With a financing plan due from Mayor Karl Dean next week and a final Metro Council vote tentatively scheduled for Jan. 19, both sides of the debate are trying to influence public opinion and, by extension, the council.
Ron Samuels, chairman of the Music City Center Coalition, said his group will keep doing the traditional things it's been doing for some time: speaking to neighborhood and community groups and talking to council members about the importance of the project.
But the coalition could use other communication techniques as well.
"If it's necessary to do advertising, I'm sure we'll find some money and go about that," Samuels said.
Nashville's Priorities has been using new media like Twitter and YouTube to draw attention to problems in the convention business, highlight previous council deliberations and point to various Dean administration statements on the topic.
The group's president, Kevin Sharp, said it also has been advertising in print and online media and is planning a direct mail campaign. It also might go on the radio but won't try to pay for TV ads.
(2 of 2)Nashville commission rejects convention center referendum ideaWashington Report: GFEs
