I didn’t know her name an hour ago, but Sue Cain, the Metro Nashville law director, is at least a candidate for my holiday* card list next year. Here’s why, courtesy of The Tennessean:

The debate could hinge on legal interpretations of the word “consecutive.” The arena lease says that after the Predators’ first five full seasons were completed, “any two consecutive full seasons (determined cumulatively)” below 14,000 paid attendance would trigger the escape clause. But an NHL lockout and the year after the lockout wouldn’t count. The Predators’ fifth full season was 2002-03. They failed to reach the 14,000-ticket threshold in 2003-04, and then the 2004-05 NHL season was wiped out by a lockout. So 2004-05 and 2005-06 didn’t count. In 2006-07, the Predators’ ticket sales fell short of 14,000 again.

So the question is whether 2003-04 and 2006-07 are considered “consecutive full seasons.” Cain, the Metro law director, said no. “Consecutive seasons to me means consecutive,” she said. “And I think a court would agree.”

This sounds like an emerging hurdle to help keep the Preds in town. As a diehard fan whose heart is cracked (if not broken) after the past few days, I’m looking for every one of those I can find right now. Go Sue go!

*Just hoping to begin the War on Christmas early this year.

Karl Dean is apparently not a fan of school uniforms, but he’s not looking to rock the boat. When asked today by blogger Marty Kennedy whether he supports the recent school board decision to require uniforms in Metro schools, Dean hesitated with a punctuated “umm” as he pondered his response before saying, “I’ll give you an even more evasive answer.” Dean went on to say that he was aware that the school board had spent a lot of time and energy in making its decision and that he intends to fully support the board as mayor.

These remarks resulted in a confusing conversation about school vouchers and school choice between Dean and Kennedy. Dean eventually made it clear that he does not support vouchers (”I don’t want to be reimbursed for my payments to a private school.’) but that he does favor other forms of school choice, such as charter schools and single gender schools (not systemwide, just to provide the option for parents).

I have a good feeling after today that Dean prefers choice not only in educational options but also when it comes to standard school attire. Dean continues to intrigue me with his candid remarks and his quick wit, including the evasive answer remark, and it’s apparent to me today that he is looking to support the school board and other government in making tough decisions, even when he hasn’t necessarily agreed with the choices made. That may be a recipe for sound and effective leadership.

Adam Kleinheider and Mary Mancini participated in what was a small group of bloggers joining Dean for lunch today, although it should be noted that the group was slightly smaller than Catherine McTamaney hoped it would be.

Karl Dean, mayoral candidate, season ticket holder and self-described “hockey fan,” said today that he wants the Predators to stay in town. As mayor, Dean said, he would take a “proactive” approach to keeping the team in town, stopping just short of “making house calls door-to-door to sell tickets.”

Dean went on to say that as mayor he would look to rally corporate leadership to reinvest in the team through ticket sales and sponsorships. He described the city’s past few years of strong economic growth and made the point that Nashville’s economic base and its business community are stronger than ever. “In the past two years,” he added, “there have been more opportunities [for corporate support via relocating companies] than ever before.” He also pointed out that industry magazine Expansion Management named Nashville the top city in the nation for corporate relocation two years running.

This is about more than a sheet of ice and a vulcanized rubber disk. It’s about civic pride and the continuing development and momentum of our city. [That's me talking, not Karl, though this is one point we agree on.]