Gumptown Magazine
Montgomery, AL (July 24, 2015) A Community forum for City Council Candidates was held at Connecting Life Center Thursday evening July 23. Several candidates delivered their platform and answered questions from concerned citizens.
District 4 Candidates in attendance were William Boyd, Jamel Brown, Cedric Coley, and KK Middleton. Representing District 5 were candidates William Green and Phyllis Harvey- Hall. Jimmy Harris, Oronde Mitchell, and Erick Wright represented District 6 while Karen Jones was the only candidate present from District 7.
The candidates shared similar views and presented realistic solutions. Crime, youth involvement, and economic and community development was a concern that all of the candidates seemed to share.
District 5 Candidate William Green said that in order to have a good economy you must first deal with crime. “High crime rates don’t attract big businesses or big investments” Green stated. One of his solutions to combat crime is to build police sub-stations in high crime communities. “We can use abandoned homes as police sub-stations rather than having those homes be used by drug dealers.” Green also talked about participatory budgeting and transparency. “Participatory budgeting is where you decide how the budget is spent” Green told the audience.
“We must find ways to deter crime” said District 6 Candidate Jimmy Harris as he was giving his platform. “We need cameras in high crime areas and work with the police.” Harris told the audience that as a community we have to take back our neighborhoods and not be afraid. Harris also focused on community development. He explained how the Troy Highway corridor is a gateway to Montgomery. “We need to bring shopping to the area to bring it back to life.”
“To stop crime we have to start early” responded Oronde Mitchell who is also running for District 6. He proposed that we bring back youth programs like D.A.R.E. and Say No to Drugs. Mitchell shared how he remembers when the police department used to hiring youth during the summer. Mitchell also discussed how we need community centers for young men, adults, and the elderly.
Crime was also on Jamel Brown’s agenda. Brown began by talking about the recent shootings in Smiley Court, Washington Park, and other communities in his district. “We need to work with the police and sheriff to bring solutions” stated the District 4 candidate. Brown also talked about infrastructure and jobs. “We need to do more than tear down old homes.” Brown stated. One of his proposals was to create community gardens in abandoned homes. “This will teach children how to garden rather than eating fast food.”
District 4 Candidate KK Middleton conveyed his passion for youth involvement. Middleton talked about how he mentors at Mt. Meiggs Youth Prison. “I can relate to them because I’ve been in similar situations” Middleton said while sharing how he was adopted at an early age and lived in foster homes. Overall Middleton said that as a Councilman he would lead his District by making himself available. “We need a leader who can relate to and work with all groups of people regardless of race and ethnicity.”
The only candidate present from District 7, Karen Jones elaborated on her Totally Locally initiative, which will require Fortune 500 companies in Montgomery to give back and invest in local communities. “We spend money with them but what are they doing to give back?”
Community development is on the top of Erick Wright’s agenda. The District 6 Candidate talked about growing property value and making his district cleaner and safer. One solution was having a recycling program where individuals can get paid for bringing in water bottles and soda cans.
Phyllis Harvey- Hall spoke on her platform about education and how our city needs new leaders. “It is time for new leadership” said the District 5 Candidate as she talked about how many citizens are not satisfied with the work the current City Council has done.
All the candidates agreed that they will support the winner of their respective districts if they do not win. Election Day is August 25, 2015.
