Mayoral candidates discussed economic concerns and downtown revitalization in a debate hosted by the University of Arizona College of Medicine — Phoenix on Tuesday.
Candidates Greg Stanton and Wes Gullett defended their ideas on the restoration of Phoenix’s economy, including a proposed downsizing of the Phoenix Police Department, as well as the adaptive reuse of existent Phoenix buildings and the expansion of public transportation.
The candidates were questioned by a panel of three community members. Azteca Plaza owner Gregory Torrez, Fair Trade Cafe owner Michele Lavis-White, and architect Lorenzo Perez posed questions previously submitted by constituents.
Phoenix business owner Kimber Lanning moderated the debate.
“I knew she understood the importance of building the economy through education,” said Brigitte Jordan, community outreach coordinator of external relations at the UofA College of Medicine — Phoenix. “She’s been involved in downtown issues for the last ten years, and has always been a fair, unbiased community builder.”
Lanning encouraged the audience of approximately 150 people to consider the city’s economic future as they listened.
“Think about who will be the best leader for the next four years, or possibly even eight, to lead us through these difficult economic times,” Lanning said.
The theme of sustainability and adaptive reuse of vacant buildings recurred throughout the debate.
“If we can reuse buildings we already have then we’re being more sustainable,” said Gullett. “It’s better for the environment and better for the character of the city. It’s better for the community as a whole.”
Stanton agreed, highlighting the need for incentives to promote green building and the use of solar power.
“The most sustainable building is a reused building,” Stanton said.
Candidates also discussed solutions to utilize surface parking lots and vacant dirt lots, which according to one of the night’s questions occupy 42 percent of the city’s land.
“The Valley of the Sunflowers project is an incredibly impressive example of what can happen when creative minds get together,” said Stanton. “We need to be more creative when it comes to finding solutions to these situations.”
Both candidates disapproved of the recent downsizing of the Phoenix Police Department as a result of budgeting difficulties but failed to offer a definitive solution as an alternative.
“We can find efficiencies in the system without reducing the number of police officers on the street,” said Gullett. “There is no doubt in my mind that we can save money without reducing our number of sworn officers.”
The candidates clashed over public transportation issues.
Gullett advocated further expansion of bus systems and more stringent taxation of Metro Light Rail. The light rail should pay an economic dividend, he said.
“We need a more aggressive bus system that actually serves the population that needs it,” said Gullett. “Phoenix has enough money to pay for it. They just need to reorganize it.”
Stanton, however, advocated spending for both transportation methods. His support of the light rail was especially strong.
“Our citizens voted to support both the light rail and buses,” Stanton said. “It’s not up to elected officials to say, ‘Voters, you were wrong.’ ”
Stanton also said that expansion of the light rail would stimulate local businesses.
“If we expand the light rail, there will be more people on it. They’ll have more access to businesses, which will eventually lead to a better economy for Phoenix,” he said. “Now is not the time to turn our backs on public transportation.”
Contact the reporter at chloe.brooks@asu.edu
