Tom: Welcome to perspectives online and on air from WFSU Public Media I'm Tom Flanigan, this program using the Zoom platform as we typically do Tom: Was pre recorded on Tuesday, September 29 for playback on Thursday, October 1 to show up hearing, both on WFSU FM and also on the WFSU public media, Facebook page.

Tom: This program.

The fourth in our series of political perspectives ahead of the November 3 general election and Leon county so far our conversations have included the candidates vying for two different Leon county commission seats.

Tom: And today, the one remaining undecided Tallahassee City Commission races in the offing.

Next week, we'll talk about the proposed local referendum, creating Tom: A taxpayer supported Children Services council for Leon County.

Tom: And today's political perspectives as we mentioned features the two candidates for Tallahassee City Commission seek to since 2014 the person occupying that seat.

Tom: Has been Curtis Richardson.

He previously served eight years, representing house District eight in the Florida Legislature.

Tom: And also served on the Leon County School Board his opponent bill shack.

The Food Services director at the Kearney Center and he previously ran for the Commission.

Tom: Back in 2018 by luck of that random draw before the program will start with Mr.

Richardson and Tom: We'll, we'll start with a couple of individual questions, folks.

And then we'll veer off into some general city of Tallahassee type topics that we all can get into discussing but Tom: For you, sir.

What do you consider to be the most important accomplishments?

You can even do like a top three or top five here since your first occupied the seat and what are the primary issues that you'd like to address if the voters give you another term.

Go ahead.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Welcome.

First of all, it's a pleasure to be here always enjoy being on air with you.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And and glad you all have had us here today to discuss the issues facing our wonderful city, as you mentioned, I have been proud to serve the citizens of Tallahassee on the Commission since 2014 I've served with honesty, integrity and ethically Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Some of the major things that I think we've accomplished time and the time that I've been on commission Commissioner Curtis Richardson: We have passed some of the strongest ethics laws, if not the strongest ethics ordinance in the state of Florida.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: As you know, we had some issues with previous Commissioners and so we felt that we needed to make sure that Commissioner Curtis Richardson: The Community knew that we were serious about ethics and ethics reform and we passed that ethics ordinance as a Commission.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And are serious about ethics in the city of Tallahassee, we have also established and inspector general position.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Which will serve a similar function, but not overlap with the independent ethics board and its independent ethics officer, we have made.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Ethics, a part of the culture of the city of Tallahassee, in order for an individual to receive a pay increase, they have to demonstrate that they have taken annual ethics training.

And so we're serious about ethics and Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Our expectations for our employees and elected officials throughout the city of Tallahassee, so I consider that one of my major accomplishments since being on the board.

The other is certainly how we've responded to this.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Virus pandemic.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: It has had a tremendous negative impact on our economy, but we were able to pass a balanced budget as a city without raising taxes and we have been able to help our citizens.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: In this, especially our business owners, we set aside a million dollars to go towards assisting Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Our small businesses that were waiting for the cares money to come down from the federal government.

We also provided a million dollars for our not for profit sector to help them make it through this Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Pandemic and then through the CRA our community redevelopment agency we included another $250,000 for small minority and women owned businesses.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: In our CRA.

And then thirdly time, I would say the what we've done to improve minority or neighborhoods in name in predominantly African American communities, including bond South city.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And French town and Providence, we have invested millions of dollars in those neighborhoods for infrastructure improvements for landscaping street scaping sidewalks road improvements housing.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Low and moderate income housing in those neighborhoods.

We address issues of crime in the neighborhoods, working with Commissioner Curtis Richardson: The neighborhood leaders and incorporating that into their neighborhood first plan.

So we've accomplished a lot Commissioner Curtis Richardson: There is still a lot to be done and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Commission and the city staff and neighborhood leaders and business and community leaders throughout our wonderful city to keep Tallahassee moving forward and in the right direction.

Tom: Thank you, sir.

Mr Schack.

Your turn here.

What are some t hings that you would want to address if you are elected to the job now being held by Mr Richardson, what would you do Bill Schack: Well number, number one, we need to act on the promises we keep making we've made promises in this community for decades.

Bill Schack: In the very areas that Commissioner Richards talking about and we still have a lot to do.

And yet he admits, we have a lot to do.

But Bill Schack: We need to actually act on on what we've promised.

And I think that's number one.

We absolutely are in a point now where Bill Schack: Code 19 and what we do in the future is going to dictate a lot of the next year.

So, if not two years and I don't ever hear a plan at one of the City Commission meetings.

Bill Schack: We need to have a plan now on how we're going to help small business, how we're going to help Bill Schack: People in the community get met you know made whole again.

And it's going to take a really big effort to do that.

And I don't know that we have a plan.

It seems to me this Commission has been very reactive.

Bill Schack: And not proactive and I think we need to get really serious about some of the issues that faces community in the next year two, so those are those are two things that we need.

And then the third, obviously, is we're gonna have to change the dynamic of this city and how we Bill Schack: Work with our police and how we do policing, how we work with our nonprofit community to help with things that we talked about every two years during election time mental health.

Bill Schack: And and and building up communities.

These things are going to be very, very important.

So we're gonna have to really focus on those particular issues, but Bill Schack: I think crime, the number one issue in this community needs to be actually treated like it is the number one issue in this community, because I believe crime dictates a lot for our community, whether its economic growth.

Bill Schack: Jobs and just certainly a creating safer neighborhoods for a kid.

So I think we're gonna have to really focus on that first Tom: Okay, you've set a really nice table here for a subject that everyone can talk about here, starting with you, Bill.

Since you you mentioned it first.

Tom: And that is that the law enforcement issue, you have a number and someone suggests a growing number of people in this community that are taking Tom: Exception to the way that Chief Rebel has been working since he took over the Tallahassee police department, even to the Tom: Extent of saying that Chief Revell needs to be fired and replaced you have, however, on Tom: Social media expressed a great deal of support for the chief and at the same time you say there needs to be changes with that also include perhaps the city manager talk about those for a moment, if you would.

Bill Schack: Sure, sure.

I think that's the again the number one issue my campaign is public safety and crime and addressing it and Chief Revell plays a very big part of that.

However, I do believe that, as someone who's run restaurants his entire career.

Bill Schack: And ran operations.

My entire career until you have the tools to do the job.

Bill Schack: It's really difficult to do what is expected of you, and I believe that chief rebel has not gotten all the tools that he needs to do the job.

Bill Schack: In fact, I argue all the time that I believe the Dallas Police firm has been defunded for many, many years because we've gotten rid of many programs that worked in the past.

Bill Schack: We never caught up to our staffing levels that that have to be increased based on people that are retiring.

We're never getting the amount of recruits that that we Bill Schack: Need to replace those people.

So once again.

Bill Schack: Until you give someone the tools that they need to do the job.

All we've done is delay a new facility that has been needed for the past 10 years Bill Schack: So, and again, all we continue to do is delay that I think having a new facility will push them around into Bill Schack: Being a Tallahassee police officer right now.

No one wants to be until I see a police officer and could you blame them.

I don't think you can.

However, if we give chief rebel all the tools.

He needs.

Bill Schack: Now that's not to take chief rebel off the hook.

If it was me on the City Commission, I would be pushing for two meetings, a month with crime being the topic every single week every single two weeks and having the chief of police in front of the Commission.

Bill Schack: talking to us about what we're doing this week to solve crime in this community and we're not doing that, we need to start being laser focused on crime.

Bill Schack: And what we're doing with gang problems.

And what we're doing with the racial tension in this community.

And I don't think we're doing that.

So number one, Bill Schack: I'll support Chief Revell.

However, I don't support the city manager because of the process.

We took to get Chief Revell.

I think that process was flawed from the start.

None of the city commissioners held Bill Schack: Committee city manager Goad responsible for the for the emails that went back and forth.

The way he tried to strong arm Chief Gilliam, and to Gilliam's credit Bill Schack: He said, No, thank you.

That's not what I'm going to operate.

So the fact that we have chief rebel and all the Commissioner say this is our guy is so disingenuous.

And every time I hear that Bill Schack: It's really, really angers me even more because the chief rebel wasn't there guy, and yet now they think it's him he's their guy and I think that's really disingenuous.

But the bottom line is, Bill Schack: When we hire a new city manager, which is the motion.

I'm going to make on my first day on the diocese to have the city manager get fired.

Bill Schack: Is is when that new city manager comes in, which myself and whoever else on the Commission is going to be able to hire if that new city manager thinks the Bill Schack: What we've done in 2020 requires a cheap to be replaced.

Guess what, that's his call.

But as of right now, I believe we need to eat you rebel all the tools, he needs to do the job.

We haven't done it.

Tom: Okay, very good.

Mr.

Richardson your take, then again on law enforcement and city management in Tallahassee, with all that continuous criticism coming down on both of those individuals.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Well Tom, I would say that what Mr.

Schack said may sound good, but it's impractical.

We have since I've been on the Commission, we have made crime, a number one issue.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: for the Commission and for our police department we realize that we're citizens in this community.

I live on the South side of town.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: I've had crimes happen within yards of my front door.

I'm certainly committed, personally, as well as an elected official to make ensure that wherever Commissioner Curtis Richardson: A citizen lives in this community.

They can assure that their neighborhood is going to be safe, their business is going to be safe.

We've made that a number one priority.

We've put financial resources into the police department.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: For Chief Revell, to be able to hire the officers that he needs a lot of times that's a recruitment issue.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Because we don't have a lot of people going into a police academy right now, but we are working very hard to address that issue.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: We have given the police department, the technology that they need and we are in the process of building a new facility, a state of the art facility for our police department that doesn't happen overnight.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Regardless of what Mr.

Schack has to say about that.

That's a process that you have to go through and we're addressing that.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: We have made a number of reforms in the police department.

I think Chief Revell is doing a good job.

He has started a citizen Police Academy to be a Commissioner Curtis Richardson: communication link between the police department and the community to hear what citizens in the community have to say about Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Our police department and policing in the community in general.

He has a youth citizen Advisory Committee.

Just recently, the City Commission adopted a Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Citizen review board a compilation of best practices of citizen review boards from throughout the state of Florida.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And we've adopted that here in Tallahassee, we've made policy changes in the police department we no longer allow choke holds and no not warrants.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And so we are making changes because we've heard what the citizens have said they said that black lives matter.

I agree with that.

I've been black for almost 64 years now.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And I know that they're black lives do matter all lives matter, but all lives can't matter until Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Black Lives Matter and we're moving in that direction to bring this community together so that we, wherever you live in the city of Tallahassee, you can feel like your neighborhood is safe.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Crime is one of our number one issues and will continue to be over the next four years.

I'm also committed to the issue of net zero carbon Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Emissions we have passed a working with some of our environmental groups, we've passed the resolution to be carbon neutral by the year 2015 we're hoping to reach that goal.

Prior to that, Commissioner Curtis Richardson: But that certainly is our goal so that we can reduce or eliminate our carbon footprint and preserve our environment.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: For generations to come.

And then lastly time we're working with our neighborhoods to make sure that as we grow that that growth doesn't encroach Commissioner Curtis Richardson: On those neighborhoods that it's compatible with our neighborhoods and that's been important so we're listening to our citizens and we're moving this community forward in lockstep with what we hear from the citizens that we represent.

Tom: Before we transition away from the public safety aspect of all this.

A should we say a contemporary challenge for law enforcement, which we saw just this past week.

Tom: Out at the 10 apartments on Dixie drive where we have large gatherings of people these pop up parties, if you will.

And as local law enforcement.

Tom: Moves to handle those.

They're not exactly getting a whole bunch of backing from the Governor of Florida Governor DeSantis even proposing sort of a college student bill of rights to Tom: Essentially, you know, hey, you're only young once let the kids party and have a good time.

How do you as a commissioner, starting with you, Mr Richardson advise the city manager who interns advise the chief.

How do you handle this stuff.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Well this time, this was an issue that we discussed in our last City Commission meeting when it was brought up to us again as I mentioned.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Just a few weeks ago, there was a shooting at a service station less than a mile from my home.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: That was one of the first instances that we were made aware of these pop up parties in parking lots, and we have aggressively pursued those we just heard of another one.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: This past weekend South Monroe and Orange Avenue.

And so we have taken this seriously.

We discussed any emergency ordinance that would give our law enforcement officials.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Our collective our law enforcement collective because they are all working in concert to address.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: The crime issue the public safety issue in our community.

We were going to pass an emergency ordinance that would give Commissioner Curtis Richardson: The police department, our law enforcement collective more authority over these pop up parties, but now with the Republican governor Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Saying that, you know, the executive order is no longer in place that really ties our hands.

I talked with the city manager this morning.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: About that and we're trying to steal determine how we're going to handle that we're it's taxing our police department staff and financial resources.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Because these things are popping up all over town 12 in a weekend in some instances, and we're having to bring in additional staff.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: In order to handle that.

But it is an issue we're working with the business community because they play a part in allowing this to happen on their property.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: But it's a community issue and we're all going to have to work on this together.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: To address it and we're committed to doing that as a city and our police department is doing a great job at this point.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: But there's still a lot we need to do, especially when it can have an impact on the spread of this COVID virus.

We've seen that at Florida State University.

And again, when it creates violence and and shootings in our neighborhoods and on our streets.

Tom: And that is certainly Mr.

Schack have no surprise to you your place of employment, the Kearney Center, a lot of things in that area they're being on that 32304 and South Side border area that you are, how do you suggest that TPD and other law enforcement handle these sorts of things.

Bill Schack: Well, certainly very difficult to ask TPD.

To do that, however, the City Commission did the right thing and create an ordinance to try to Bill Schack: Be able to use what they can and their resources to try and break these parties up though, the reality is, is something that you pointed out that the cornerstone of what they did.

Bill Schack: To mitigate code and 19 and protect the community was to move everybody out of that facility and put them in private.

Bill Schack: You know, separate separate living quarters, which which works.

So maybe as great as a county is done educating and Bill Schack: Putting up billboards.

Maybe we need to do some sort of education and some kind of marketing to let college students know that being in these large groups.

Bill Schack: Are absolutely something they shouldn't do.

However, they are college students.

It's really tough to do and not just college students gathering together there's many other people in the community gathering together.

So I don't know what else we can do besides an ordinance, but Bill Schack: You know, it certainly is something that the I don't feel for TPD having to deal with that.

But it is something we're going to have to address.

I, I, you know, my, my sense about COVID-19 and where we are.

Bill Schack: You know, my, my sense is that we need to get this community open, we need to get our city open.

I think we've done a really good job in Leon County and, especially, you know, Bill Schack: During this pandemic, as opposed to other places in Florida, so Bill Schack: The curve is definitely flattened.

I mean, if that was the original intent of this is to flatten the curve.

You can look at all the models you want the curve is flat and and I don't Bill Schack: I don't disagree with getting these community open, but I think again personal responsibility business responsibility businesses have a role.

Bill Schack: They need to make sure they control those crowds.

Although restaurants are allowed to be open.

They can dictate how they're going to treat Bill Schack: Their business, whether they're going to allow people to come in with Master not where they're going to practice social distancing Bill Schack: We believe, and I believe that that we know enough about it now to safely open up restaurants.

So I'm all for that and Bill Schack: But it's up to the business owners themselves to decide and then it's up to us as as guests.

Bill Schack: And consumers to decide whether I want to go visit that restaurant of their policy is not having people were mass or or if you Bill Schack: You know, have to our social distance only I have a few tables, opening a restaurant.

I think there still needs to be worse first responsibility with this disease and a very unfortunate disease, but Bill Schack: There is personal responsibility and how you protect yourself how you protect your family and how you protect others in the community.

Bill Schack: And wearing masks and social distance and visiting places that you know don't going and big in big groups is the way you do it, then I think everyone needs to have some personal responsibility and do it the way the way they feel is necessary.

Tom: Thank you much more to come on our discussion, the two contenders vying for Tallahassee City Commission.

Tom: See to we just heard from the challenger Bill Schack.

The long time income and Curtis Richardson.

Also part Tom: Of our discussion some dates to keep in mind for the upcoming general election and Leon county vote by mail ballots are now in the hands of nearly all of the voters who have requested them.

Tom: If you have not received yours yet and you did get on that list requesting a mail ballot.

Get up with our supervisor of elections.

Mark Earley he's tracking that stuff on a daily basis.

The deadline for voter registration.

Tom: Is October fifth, early voting will commence on October 19 Tom: And early voting locations are also posted on the supervisor of elections website General Election Day is Tuesday, November 3 it'll be interesting to see how many folks really vote in person on election day.

Tom: With all the other options that we now have for casting a ballot in this upcoming race and the special situation we have with covert and the preponderance of vote by mail and all that.

Anyway, back to our discussion economic development.

Tom: And addressing income disparities.

Let's flip our order, Bill Schack if you can talk about that a little bit again that 32304 that has been Tom: Certainly acknowledged as having the highest income.

Tom: Deficiency in the entire state of Florida being at the Kearney Center.

You see this stuff.

Tom: Just about every day, even though those folks are now in apartments and hotels and all that thing.

How do you get jobs.

Tom: Do you bring them in from the outside.

Do you use some of the resources we have in the community to develop more entrepreneurship.

How do you handle that.

How do you get people back to work.

If their traditional work has disappeared.

Bill Schack: Well, once again, we're going to have to have a plan.

And I think we need to come up with it soon because Bill Schack: This is going to end soon we're going to have to come up with a plan and it's not necessarily just 32304, but it's all over our city.

Bill Schack: The issues and 323 or four again I talked about it being an embarrassment that our city.

Bill Schack: Has that distinction and we can make all the excuses.

We wanted a lot of college students all this stuff, but Bill Schack: You know, I read the article just like everyone else about how people who live in 32304.

Some of them have to take two buses, just to get to a medical appointment.

Bill Schack: We need to build and put structures in place and infrastructure and bring some economic opportunity for people in those areas.

And yet this still is a topic every couple years when people run for office.

Bill Schack: It's time to stop talking about it and it's time to actually bring some action to it, whether it's to get that grocery store that's still not in that area built Bill Schack: You know, get those medical facilities there, get some some improve the way of life for people in that area so that they don't have to take two buses to get to a medical appointment.

Bill Schack: Those are things that we have to actually do.

And yet, it can't just be something we continue to talk about.

So number one, we got to bring economic opportunity in those areas.

And you know, I heard a discussion today.

Bill Schack: About you know the jobs that were created over the canopy development.

Well, if we can get something built on in 32304 bring some some Bill Schack: Development, there will create some jobs and create some opportunity for people.

But the bottom line is we can't continue to just talk about it.

Bill Schack: Once again, I heard a discussion today about how people got together to talk about affordable housing and and how we're going to solve these things but we keep talking, we keep talking.

Let's Let's act and actually get it done.

I think Bill Schack: I think it's time well past time to actually do something so I let's just get there.

Tom: Okay, Mr.

Richardson, your thoughts on that score, sir.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Well, I think it's clear.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Tom that Mr.

Schack has no idea what's going on in the city of Tallahassee, because all of the issues that he just raised, we are addressing Commissioner Curtis Richardson: We, we have contracts with the Tallahassee Linda's consortium and Habitat for Humanity to build houses and homes for those that are in need of Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Low income and moderate housing.

We're about to redevelop the Orange Avenue apartments, to the tune of millions of dollars that's going to be transformational Commissioner Curtis Richardson: For the south side of Tallahassee, yeah, I was a part of the original blueprint committee, I served on the Sales Tax Committee, and unlike the original blueprint committee.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: This time around we dedicated 12% of the revenue that will come in from that sales tax increase over the next 20 years to economic development.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: We created the Office of economic vitality and their job is to work with our local chambers of commerce and our business community to both grow our local Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Small businesses, those that are interested in growing and being able to hire additional staff and also to recruit business and industry.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: To our community.

And so the Office of economic vitality is doing a great job in that respect, and we hope to be able to create those private sector jobs because we've depended too much on state government jobs in the past and those jobs and now disappearing.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: They're not paying the employees much I think in the last 12 years or so state employees have Commissioner Curtis Richardson: only had one or two across the board pay raises and so their salaries aren't even keeping pace with inflation.

So we're trying to expand our private sector base.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And work with our colleges and universities to develop an employment pipeline so that we can have the jobs here available for the young people that are graduating Commissioner Curtis Richardson: From our colleges from our college and universities, rather than them having to go Commissioner Curtis Richardson: To other larger cities or leave Tallahassee to find employment that will allow them to take care of themselves and a family and pay back those student loans.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Tom, we're, we're working to provide those jobs right here in Tallahassee Commissioner Curtis Richardson: We're we've got incubators, like Domi station that works with individuals who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs and starting their own businesses and we're seeing those businesses start to grow.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: In Tallahassee.

And so that's an asset, again, we are doing lots of things to create jobs in our community that's going to be even more important.

After we come through.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: This pandemic, because so many jobs have been lost.

We've lost a number of businesses major retailers that have left the area.

So we're going to have to make sure that we have jobs available.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: In the career and technical fields so that people can and those are very great options.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: For people time I retired from Lively and I can tell you there are lots of opportunities, both at lively and at Tallahassee Community College for individuals who are interested in training.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: In the career and technical fields that pay very good salaries in the construction trades and electricity and Commissioner Curtis Richardson: H VA see nursing welding were kicked and get one year of training in a welding program and make $100,000 a year.

So we're working very hard to make those opportunities available.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Not only for our young people in the community, but those who have lost jobs as a result of this pandemic and I am that's going to be one of our top priorities.

Over the next four years is creating jobs and growing economic development in this community.

Tom: One major loss of jobs, though, is located right behind the courthouse on that Washington Square property as of a year ago.

This past summer, of course, the big hotel project the plug was essentially pulled on that a disagreement over Tom: Essentially the neighboring parking garage and Mr Richards and how do you get that back on track wait for another developer to come a long and say, Oh, that looks like a good deal or tear it all down started, what do you do Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Well, Tom.

As you may or may not know that is private property and the project was begun, we were able to work through all of the issues that present prevented them from continuing with the project.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And I'm not sure quite right now where the owner is in terms of their willingness to continue with the project.

Certainly, we don't want something like that sitting Commissioner Curtis Richardson: In downtown Tallahassee, and so we're we're willing more than willing to come back to the table and work with them.

No city funds have been expended on that project at all.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And so we're hoping that they will come back to the table and and look at how they can begin to move that project forward again.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: But again, it is private property, it's a private development and no city funds have been expended.

We were able to work out all of the issues that Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Brought the project to a whole and so again we're just hoping that they will begin to move forward.

It will be definitely an asset for downtown Tallahassee, if we're able to bring them back in here and get that project lead Tom: Beyond what Mr Richardson said, Bill.

Do you have any thoughts there send out and all points bulletin try to locate the, the owner of the property or let her sit.

What do you think Bill Schack: No, I just don't think it was really, you know, I don't think was beneficial to our city to see cranes waving in the breeze for three months, you know, somebody didn't ask the right questions during that process, somebody didn't ask the right questions about the Bill Schack: easement in the parking and the relationship to what what we had with that project.

I don't know that the city has not been engaged at all financially with that project, but with regard to taxes or anything like that.

But anyway.

Bill Schack: Back to one of the questions he said this is what what earlier, if I can.

Bill Schack: He mentioned that I just don't know what's going on.

Bill Schack: But what I do know is this is that we have state workers in the in in Tallahassee, who don't even live in Tallahassee, and Bill Schack: And have to drive from other places.

Why, because they can't find affordable housing.

We have college students.

Yeah, we want to keep them Tallahassee, but the reason why they don't stay is just because no there's no affordable housing.

Bill Schack: Well, we continue to do is build $2,000 month apartments near Cascades Park.

Bill Schack: Thinking that we're going to have graduates to graduate from school and stay in Tallahassee to our 18 our downtown it cascades for $2,000 a month.

That's just not going to happen.

Bill Schack: So we're not building $2,000 month departments and Cascades Park destroying 200 year old Oaks.

Bill Schack: To build these things so we can keep college students here, we're building it for our for the lobbyists and all the other people who come to Tallahassee and try and, you know, manipulate our, our state and our city so Bill Schack: You know, we talked about what we're doing and the promises.

We're making again.

Bill Schack: What what Commissioner Richardson and talked about where again promises and we're not doing it.

We haven't done it yet.

Nothing's happened.

There's no ground until right now plans are great, but until we actually do it.

Bill Schack: We can't continue to talk about all the money we're spending in these areas.

Bill Schack: I think we need to reevaluate blueprint as a whole and see where we're at reevaluate our projects and start going into the areas of town that had been Bill Schack: Promised things for decades and started doing that.

Now again, let's be proactive instead of Bill Schack: You know, how do we not know right now what's going to go on in Washington Square as a sitting city, Commissioner, not know what's going on in Washington Square.

I just think that's, that's really strange to me.

Oh.

Bill Schack: I don't know the answer but Commissioner Richardson should know the answer to.

What's happening with that project that's right down the street from City Hall.

That's just my opinion about that.

But again, Bill Schack: He said earlier that things just don't happen overnight.

But when you continue to delay and delay and delay it, you're absolutely right, things aren't going to happen overnight.

And this City Commission continues to delay projects, instead of moving forward on them.

Bill Schack: I think that's that's that's a real real good distinction to make.

Tom: Okay, a namecheck brings an opportunity for response to Mr Richardson.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Well, again, Bill simply does not know what this Commission has done, we have been very aggressive in terms of responsible and planned growth in our community.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: I can't know what's going on with people's private property that's their decision to make.

We're we've reached out to them.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: I know that the city committee, the city manager is reached out to them.

And I've tried to get an idea of what their future plans are.

But I can't know what a private property owner plans for their, their own property.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: But we're going to work with.

We're going to continue to work with them on that we are addressing the housing issue in our community.

I've Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Talked about initiatives that we've got going by the end of this year, we will have built 13 houses 13 homes for families in partnership with Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Habitat for Humanity.

We have a partnership with Tallahassee Linda's consortium.

It's called the Community Land Grant where property that the city owns we're dedicating to the Tallahassee Linda's consortium to build affordable and low income housing for individuals in those Commissioner Curtis Richardson: low income neighborhoods predominantly African American neighborhoods that's happening as we speak.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: So it's not just a plan.

These things are happening.

We are working right now there's a linear part of $300,000 linear park being built.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: In the bond community to link that community to the St.

Marks trail.

I mentioned what's happening.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: In South city with the orange Avenue apartments.

We've got in the works.

Now, which will come online in a couple years a $5 million star metro transfer facility at the intersection of Orange Avenue and South Meridian.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: That's going to be transformational for that community.

We are putting in Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Infrastructure transportation infrastructure water and wastewater infrastructure that's occurring Tom as we speak.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: That's not just a plan that's happening now.

There are sidewalks on Putnam drive and on Pope drive and will soon be on Texas where those didn't exist when I came Commissioner Curtis Richardson: To the Commission, six years ago, we just approve $12 million for refurbishments at the Leon county fairgrounds Commissioner Curtis Richardson: To make that more of an amenity for our community on the south side, those things are happening.

I've advocated for the widening of orange Avenue.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: We are about to put a new fire station on Lake Bradford road to serve Western Tallahassee, and the South side of town.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: These are projects that are in the works that I have advocated for as a commissioner and have gotten the support of the CRA board and Commissioner Curtis Richardson: My colleagues on the City Commission to make those things happen.

So they're not just plans.

They are happening.

You can see development happening all over this community and Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Apparently was the shack has not visited other parts of the community, other than where he lives up in the Northeast, but I'm all over this community all the time and I see Commissioner Curtis Richardson: The development that's occurring planned and responsible development and that's what I'm proud of and the direction that we're going as a city.

Tom: Okay.

And again, Mr Shaq you can respond there since you were brought up in that conversation.

Bill Schack: He loves to say my name, which is pretty cool.

But they all the CRA gave money to Washington Square.

Bill Schack: So I know that's not exactly the city, but the people sit on the CRA board are city commissioners so Bill Schack: In my mind, I think people would argue that the city did have an involvement in Washington Square.

So, you know, we need to be honest, what we're saying sometimes and you know that Bill Schack: Commission reflects take credit for what the Commission does as a whole but you know he started this day talking about ethics and how important it was to him, but he was the only no vote.

Bill Schack: On the City Commission when it came to stronger language So the Commission as a whole, past stronger ethics, but Commission Richardson was the only no-vote Bill Schack: On the stronger So for him to sit here and talk about ethics as if this was his number one priority as a city, Commissioner.

Bill Schack: Is totally false because he was the only boat that said, No, I don't want to have stronger language.

And now, the Commission voted to have stronger language, but it wasn't his book.

Bill Schack: Of course he'll take credit for the entire Commission, but I think that is so disingenuous.

It's the same thing as his mailer that went out this week.

Bill Schack: Claiming that the $8.8 million dollars in relief for Tallahassee citizens was his responsibility and his vote only.

Bill Schack: I think that is again one of the biggest lies in the history of Tallahassee politics for him to take credit for the code at 19 response in the $8.8 million that helped residents to Tallahassee to for him to take credit is again.

Bill Schack: I'm not a politician, but I don't believe that's how you win the election is to take credit for something the entire Commission did yet it's convenient for some things, but not convenient for others.

Bill Schack: He didn't see any corruption on the City Commission but but he sat there, but he sat there.

Bill Schack: And and and was a part of the point $8 million up residence.

Again, this is just a fantasy that make Commission rich and lives in, and that's what happens when you when you Bill Schack: When you're in office for so long, you tend to forget who the people are you work for.

And you just continue to work for the developers that are throwing $30,000 in a pack for you to win.

Bill Schack: Okay, so I know that's what I'm up against the let's just get to the facts here okay Commission rates and doesn't work with people anymore.

He works with developers and it's time for him to go into full retirement.

Tom: Mr.

Richardson you return the volley, sir.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Well, Tom.

I don't know that any of that deserves a response I mentioned to you that none of the city funds, which include CRA funds have gone towards the Washington Square project I have served this community honorably ethically morally Commissioner Curtis Richardson: With Integrity and and it is demonstrated in the number of elections that I want in the margins that I've won those elections.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: We passed an ethics ordinance and it was a five zero vote to pass that ethics ordinance when we established an Inspector General.

That was a five zero vote.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: So I don't know what Mr Shack is where he's getting his information from but clearly it's misinformation.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: He doesn't know what I've done over the years that I've served this community in a number of capacities, both in elected office.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And in my volunteer capacities.

I've served this community to move this community forward and to ensure that wherever an individual lives in the city of Tallahassee, they can feel that this is an All American city that has been a goal of mine.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And I've worked with my colleagues to make resources available during this pandemic for our small businesses for our nonprofit organizations.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: The 250,000 that we made available through the CRA with the consent of the CRA board the full board to make that money available for small minority and women owned businesses within the CRA district.

Those are the kinds of things that we are accomplishing as a Commission.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Our commitment to be carbon neutral by the year 2050 our commitment for planned and responsible growth for infill development.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: For redeveloping and revitalizing those neighborhoods that have been long neglected in the city of Tallahassee, those are the things that I have worked for and champion as a city, Commissioner, and that's what my Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Goal will be in the next four years working with my colleague, the mayor and the other Commissioners on the City Commission, and I look forward to those Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Are the things that we've accomplished, thus far, and where we're going, as a community, Tom: Just a few moments remaining here, folks.

But before we Tom: Wrap it up, Mr.

Richardson your since we're talking about affordable housing and development and all that sort of thing.

Your thoughts Welaunee, which is certainly I know 10-15 years out, but still one of the most controversial.

Tom: Proposed developments, we have had in this town in quite some time, your take on that sir, please.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Well, I'm not so sure it's controversial at this point, Tom.

We know that this community has to grow if we're not growing we're dying as a community.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And Tallahassee is growing our population is projected to grow over the next several years and decades, and we've got to be prepared for that growth.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Tom, this will Lani development is something that's been talked about probably for the last 30 years.

And so now we're looking at how we can begin to prepare for the growth we know is coming Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Welaunee is probably the last large tract of land in Tallahassee and Leon county where we will be able to accommodate growth.

But again, I keep making issue of the fact that the growth has got to be planned and it's got to be responsible.

I was the one that that made the motion.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: To slow down where we were going with that we're aligning development in terms of the comprehensive plan amendments that were being proposed, because I was hearing from citizens.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: That although we were headed in the right direction with our comprehensive plan amendments, there was still work to do.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And so I I took that motion to my colleagues on the City Commission, and we were able to slow down that process.

And now we're continuing to work with.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Those stakeholders and community groups that want to work with us to move growth and development forward in our community.

And so that's where we are now.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: With Welaunee development.

We're taking input, we're hearing from our citizens, and we hope to come up with a comprehensive plan that is second to none for how we address Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Issues of housing as that and not just a multi million dollar homes but homes that will accommodate low income families and moderate income Commissioner Curtis Richardson: For families, how we will address education issues, making property available for schools, how will we address infrastructure issues, water and wastewater.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Retention, those are the kinds of issues that we're dealing with now to make that a stellar comprehensive plan amendment and development for our community.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: The reverse of that is or conversely with that we've got to make sure that we do infield development property.

We don't want all of the Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Development to occur in the north and northeast.

We want to do infield development within our in urban services area and there are Commissioner Curtis Richardson: black patches of land within neighborhoods in that urban services area that can and will be developed so that we have even development across the Community and we can see growth and prosperity throughout our community, including areas like the 32304 zip code area.

Tom: Very good.

Sorry, and you get the same opportunity to talk about Welaunee, Mr Schack Bill Schack: Thanks for the question.

I live in Killearn Estates and, you know, the proposed road to go right through half a mile from my house with something that Bill Schack: That's one of the issues that a lot of people have a problem with.

And then last month they sprung that they want to put another road.

Bill Schack: Connecting to Centerville road which was never part of the original plans because I was there during the on the board.

During the original discussion about that road.

Bill Schack: But more than that, it's not about development.

It's not about Bill Schack: We've never even caught up from the development that happens so fast in the northeast and all the other areas of town like Killearn Lakes and Golden Eagle.

Those are two lane roads that these these projects going to.

So we've never even Bill Schack: You know, had the sense to try and figure out a way to say solve traffic problems, create more of them, you know, Centerville's a two lane road.

Bill Schack: And it's a canopy road.

So it's protected and we're going to bring in two more roads from the canopy develop the problem with the canopy developed that everybody has a problem with is that Bill Schack: Commission Richardson and the other Commissioners approved the clear cutting of that entire you know area allowed allowed Ghazvini to violate environmental Bill Schack: Laws and they didn't hold them accountable, the state had to step in.

But you know what, when.

That's your main donor for your campaign.

Bill Schack: It's really difficult to really stay focused on what's important.

And, you know, the problem with with the citizens is during this time of zoom meetings citizens for like they didn't have a say they didn't really Bill Schack: Have a chance to get involved and sure the commercial talk about all the shirts that wrong, and the information happened during there but Bill Schack: The bottom line is that vote was delayed because Commissioner Richardson was told to delay it or else he's not going to get votes by a group of people and and he can laugh, but that's the truth and Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Bill oh Commissioner Curtis Richardson: You, you, you are shameful.

Bill Schack: I'm not shameful, I'm telling the truth And then maybe try that sometime, sir.

Bill Schack: Because it was Bill Schack: not a 5-0 on ethics voter was a 4-1.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Was a 5-0 vote, Mr.

Schack, Commissioner Curtis Richardson: you go back and check the Minutes.

Bill Schack: Have your people watch my Facebook page and I'll post the 4-1 vote Bill Schack: Okay, but you know, I'm not against growth.

But we got to make sure we're doing it responsibly and having some balance and attacking Bill Schack: neighborhoods that have been there forever like alarm states and basically Bill Schack: Destroying the way of life that we're going to have in that neighborhood by bringing a new roads is not the way to do it and Bill Schack: I don't know the other plans, it's going to happen.

We're going to have a road come through there.

But, you know, this Commission approved the six $7 million for that road.

Bill Schack: It's just something that I think we need to slow down on again.

I said we need to reevaluate blueprint.

I think we absolutely have to do that and start going into the areas that need it.

Bill Schack: And sherwani might have a big track and land and we're going to need down the road, and it's nice to say 30 years down the road.

Nothing's happening right now.

But right now, we're going to have a neighborhood Killearn estates that has Bill Schack: More traffic and possibility of some safety issues in the future.

And that's going to happen and that was approved by this Commission.

Tom: Okay, gentlemen, we have to get into the elevator and do our final pitch here because we are just about out of time for the discussion back to our original order, Mr Richardson again.

Why should in about a minute, sir, please the voters of Tallahassee retain you on the City Commission, please.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Well, time again I have served this community.

Well, I have been honored to serve this community, the entire community.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: And to listen to our citizens and to put in place those things that they have told us they want to see happen in our community.

I've worked well with my colleagues on the Commission with staff and we're prepared to move this community forward we're listening to our citizens.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: There is no way to week what we've we've gone through the citizens have approved the projects and Blueprint and now it is up to us to implement those projects as over 60% of the citizens who voted.

Commissioner Curtis Richardson: For blueprint to go forward, have done.

We've done a good job.

I feel good about the work that we've done and how we're moving forward.

And so I look forward to the next four years, continuing Commissioner Curtis Richardson: To move Tallahassee forward and have her be the all America city that she has been twice designated to be Tom: Thank you, sir.

And for you, Mr.

Schack your best pitch in a minute, please.

Bill Schack: The best pitches.

We just need some new leadership on the city, Commissioner, Commissioner receives done an Bill Schack: Incredible job during his career, but it's just time to have a new vision on the City Commission one that does not view.

Bill Schack: The citizens of Tallahassee from the top, but someone who have used them from an even level, like I do, I'm hands on in the community every single day working to improve people's lives before the Kearney Center.

I was working Bill Schack: To help the intellectually disabled have a better life, which is something I'm still involved with every single day.

Bill Schack: And when you're involved in the things that I'm involved in.

You get to see that we can do so much more.

But it takes funding it takes resources, it takes Bill Schack: A commitment to actually doing these things and the citizens of Tallahassee are screaming for change.

They are screaming for someone who's just like them.

Bill Schack: Working with them in partnership and collaboration to improve neighborhoods improve our entire city and to move our community forward, and that includes Bill Schack: You know, improving our policing and our schools and all the other things that that we need to have happen.

Bill Schack: That's why they're engaged.

That's why citizens are demanding their politicians, listen to them.

Just go look on social media, the amount of posts that and zoom meetings that people have together.

Bill Schack: Basically, talking about the issues with politicians not around.

Bill Schack: They're talking about and because they want to get on those calls with those city Commissioners and and have three minutes to say this is wrong.

This is what we need to do.

Bill Schack: There's never been engagement like there has been before.

So in the year 2020 it's time to elect somebody brand new someone closest to the people.

Bill Schack: That's what we need in Tallahassee right now.

And I'm that candidate.

I've been doing it for years I've been involved in so much Bill Schack: It's just an extension of what I've been doing my entire career, this won't be a different change for me.

I'll get along with all the Commissioners, just like Commissioner Richardson will and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to do that.

Tom: The Challenger Bill Schack, the incumbent Curtis Richardson and gentlemen.

Good luck in the election upcoming November 3rd.

Tom: and Thank you Tom: For participating in our Political Perspectives Commissioner Curtis Richardson: Thank you.

Bill Schack: Thank you.

Have a good day.

Tom: Perspectives produced by WFSU Public Media in Tallahassee, Taylor Cox, Paul Dam, Amy Diaz de Villegas, Tom: Devin Bittner, Trisha Moynihan and Lydell Rawls, helping out our director of content Kim Kelling keeping the Tom: The bus in the middle of the road and I'm Tom Flanigan, our next Political Perspectives on Thursday, October 8 Tom: A discussion of the local referendum on a taxpayer supported Children's Services council for Leon County.

We invite you to join us again for another Political Perspectives.

from WFSU public media.

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