TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - Candidates for the Tallahassee City Commission expressed their views to the community at the local candidate forum Thursday night. WTXL spoke with some of those hoping to win your vote for city commission seat 3.
"There is a difference between candidates and the real way you find it is by actually listening to the questions, seeing the kinds of answers, and see if they line up with what you're wanting from a city commissioner," said Bill Schack.
Schack is one of 5 running for City Commission Seat 3, who participated in Thursday night's forum.
Each candidate had 1 minute to answer the same question.
"It's a great opportunity to restore the public trust in local government and really get people involved and engaged. We need to stand up for our neighborhoods. We need to address our economic problems," said Jeremy Matlow.
Matlow is a Tallahassee-native who experienced poverty first-hand growing up. That's why one of his big initiatives is straying away from large-scale projects, instead focusing on public spaces and streetscapes, especially in less fortunate neighborhoods, bridging, what he calls, the economic divide in Tallahassee.
Locals filled the courtroom for the forum, trying to get a feel for the different candidates. Big topics of conversation included crime solutions, poverty, and the future of Tallahassee's economy.
"Community policing is a huge initiative that's been started but we've got to push and follow through with it. We've got to be engaged and really holding the city accountable for making sure they're following those guidelines," said Lisa Brown.
Brown says, economic development feeds straight into the crime rate. She adds, more job opportunity would lower criminal activity.
Alexander Jordan and Richard Garzola are the other two candidates running for City Commission seat 3. Jordan has 22 years of experience as a public employee.
He says he wants to strengthen the city's policies and ethics board to hold elected officials accountable. Garzola is a 22-year-old community activist and was a member of the Florida State football team. He says his focus will be addressing economic segregation and bringing transparency to the position.
With all 5 candidates entering into the world of politics, it's inevitable new leadership will soon be stepping in.
