Deconstructing the Mayoral Debate…

Mi Gente, I just witnessed democracy at its best. No where else will anyone see a 21 year old passionate young man (who has no chance of winning) get equal speaking time against a man with so much money in his coffers he can stop fund raising (which he won’t) til October and still have more than all combine. I’m speaking about the debate with all announced mayoral candidates. The invited were former Senator Frank Barrows, Reverand Patricia Smith, Raul DeJesus, Mayor Eddie Perez, Representative Art Feltman, Representative Minnie Gonzalez, I. Charles Mathews, and Stan McCauley (the evenings only Republican.)

The evening started out with an introduction by a woman from the host site, the Hartford Public Library on Main Street. Tom Condon from the Hartford Courant was introduced as moderator and did a great job. The woman from the library worked as timekeeper and did a wonderful job. All in all, the event was a huge success. Over 150 people attended and the evening was telecast live over Hartford Public Access’ Governement Channel. Look for a streaming version of it shortly on the HPL web site here. The house was a virtual who’s who of people who have fed off of the city for years and years and years and years. Each hoping that their horse would win so that they can keep feeding.

Kerry over at the Undercurrent has a wonderfully put together piece here.

The IonHartford pre-debate ‘Doing your Homework’ Award was a tie between Mayor Perez and Art Feltman. Eddie had a bunch of people outside the entrance to the Library with placards and buttons and also must’ve made mandatory attendance for his aides to this because the crowd was overwhelmingly an Alcalde crowd. Art gave Hartford Courant’s Dan Goren a copy of his talking points along with rebuttals to anything Eddie might have brought up in case he wasn’t able to get to.

With a few house rules set, Tom set the field off with a question about each candidates vision for the city. Minnie started the 1st round with a default list of issues ranging from better and safer schools and parks to overall safety in the city (a theme which dominated most of the night.) A notable quote was saying that her city would “work for all…not a chosen few.” An obvious jab at Eddie.

Senator Barrows followed with a Machiavellin message of “knowing the past to go into the future.” His main points centered around poverty in the city and education. he also spoke briefly about crime and hi-lighted “the perception of crime” in the city. A much mentioned issue by many of the candidates.

I must mention at this time that I am confused now as to who actually is creating that perception. I spend my days trying to convince people that Frog Hollow is not as violent as characterized on the news. The overriding theme of this debate was crime. Is Hartford really that violent? and…Can we really criticize media outlets like the Courant for putting this image out there when the quotes are coming from the city’s residents and leaders themselves?

Stan was next, and as the lone Republican stated that with him as Mayor, the city would have to acquire the political will necessary to make changes. He spoke eloquently about “listening to the people” and the city not being just a “singular community” but communities made up of many. He said that we should define who we are, not let surrounding suburbs define who we are…and he echoed Lincoln’s Gettysburgh Address by reminded us that this Governement is “of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Reverand Smith followed with a similar message to Senator Barrows and the “looking to the past” angle. She spoke to the issue of violence and crime in the community. She mentioned frustrations with the city saying the the city has the money but “who’s using the money?” And she ended with what her theme for the evening (and her life) saying that we need to put “God where he belongs.”

Raul DeJesus stood (other candidates took this cue and stood for their time also) for his 2 minutes of fame and came across as a dynamic speaker who one would find themselves rooting for. Raised in the Charter Oak Terrace projects (you know…the WalMart Plaza) Raul worked odd jobs and saved his money to buy his first house at 19. His main issue after his resume was that the City needs to unite and become one famliy. Painting a Clinton-esque “It takes a village” message.

El Alacalde came next to thunderous applause to answer the question about his vision (funny thing…a friend of mine sat in the front and was the leader in many of the applauses…admirable, except she lives in New Britain ). His rehearsed opening statement was a list of accomplishments from the last 4 years: 2,100 housing units – Appointment of Daryl Roberts – 7 new and rehabbed schools – the schools new uniform policy – city unemployment lowest in five years. He finally answered the Vision question, “I ran to make a difference. My promise is to do the same these next four years.” {insert thunderous applause here}

Art Feltman next talked about making Hartford a city where “people want to move to, not from.” He spoke about his youth, dynamism, and energy. About learning from cities who have had similar issues to us (Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Providence), about working with UTC who has expressed interest in the city. Art was the most anxious for confrontation, and he started early rebutting Eddie’s claims of 2,100 housing units saying that it was only 1,350 and that coupled with 1,251 new foreclosures, there was practically no net gain. He started to mention the 70% over budget figures on the school reconstructions, but was stopped due to time. Not just by the timekeeper, but numerous peeps in the gallery.

Finally….I Charles Matthew painted a shared vision of accountability, honesty, inclusion of multiple voices in the community. Speaking to this Utopian society, he spoke to the possibility down the line of downsizing a 500 strong police force. “I can do with less.” I believe is what he said.

The evening included one more general question and than several chosen questions from the audience. My highlights:

• Stan saying that his biggest obstacle in a new administration will be the Department Heads and their answers to his question “Why should you keep your job.” “Obstructionists abound…I’m here to move them out of the way.” God, I want to vote for this guy

• Art saying “we must be in the fiction section” as he mentioned the city budget, breaking down how 80 proposed new police actually turns out to be 10. He mentioned that he was the only one with relationship with Rell, Moody, Heyman…don’t think it got him any points with the crowd.

• Barrows pointing out that Hartford pays less than neighboring cities to cops. Did I mention he had the best voice of the lot.

• Reverand Smith coming to the defense of Raul letting people know that heckling would not be tolerated. She hushed people down and NOBODY wanted to mess with her.

• Eddie mentioning that while some candidates were advocating less cops, THE PEOPLE he meets with want more visibility. Cops on foot, horse, whatever…just get us some more cops. He mentioned his $50mil Neighborhood Investmend Fund and a challenge to anyone saying that he chose to become chair (of the school board) because knows how important our children are.

• Minnie saying that the $880mil school reconstruction budget might’ve been more the reason he appointed himself.

• I. Charles – “Do we need 30+ people working in the Mayor’s office.” Referring to Eddie’s soccer team of an aides staff.

• Barrows puttin it plain — The only way to stop violence in our street is to “STOP MAKING GUNS.”

• Stan da Man staying true to his republican ideals saying that Government is not here to create jobs but to stimulate an atmosphere towards job creation.

• Reverand Smith’s challenge to our supposed community leaders “Where are you leaders that supposed to be leaders!”

• I. Charles mentioning “Family Support Systems” for the 43rd time

The upcoming property revaluation was discussed in depth but I ran out of paper!! AAArrgh Notable was that this topic was the cause of the rift (way back when) between Minnie and Eddie…I’ll have to look more into that.