The Herald Bulletin - 10:27 p.m.: Mayoral candidates debate issues to packed crowd in City Hall

Tue, Nov 24 2009

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The Anderson City Building auditorium was packed with voters wanting to hear what the mayoral candidates had to say during their debate.
John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin

The City Building auditorium was packed with voters.
John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin

kevin Smith-R responds to one of the questions during the mayoral debate.
John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin

Robert Jozwiak-I responds to one of the questions during the mayoral debate.
John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin

Kris Ockomon-D responds to one of the questions during the mayoral debate.
John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin

Robert Jozwiak-I addresses the crowd as Kris Ockomon-D and Kevin Smith-R wait to give their response to the question before the group.
John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin

10:27 p.m.: Mayoral candidates debate issues to packed crowd in City Hall

“My wife (Ann) is a teacher,” he said. “They need help in what they do.”

The candidates were also asked about developing the west side of Anderson.

Smith said the city was trying to find a “viable developer” that could help that area of town.

“We’ve continued to work toward that goal,” he said. “That’s something I would like to announce today, but I can’t because we’re working with the private sector.”

Ockomon said he wondered why the city was paying for parking improvements on a building in The Flagship for Affiliated Computer Services while other buildings on the west side had the parking available for the company.

“Mayor Smith says they didn’t want to be on the west side,” Ockomon said.

The city cannot give in so easily, he said.

Ockomon also remarked he was “embarrassed” by some of the parks on the west side, particularly Jackson Park’s stage area.

Jozwiak said he had a personal stake in the development of the west side.

“I live on the west side, and I love it over there,” he said. “There’s some problems, some planning problems over there.”

Jozwiak said the businesses on the west side should be given tax abatements and other incentives like businesses on the other side of town.

“The Democrats and Republicans are both responsible for bad planning,” he said.

The candidates also talked about the airport, crime rates and nonprofit organizations.

The night ended with passionate speeches from all candidates.

Ockomon said his priorities were public safety, economic development and bringing in better jobs.

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