[MUSIC] >> WELCOME TO THE SIXTH IN THE SERIES OF POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORMS IN ADVANCE OF THE NOVEMBER 5 GENERAL ELECTION.

THIS FORUM IS A COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

OUR CANDIDATES TODAY OUR RUNNING FOR THE TALLAHASSEE CITY COMMISSION POSITION.

I'M SUZANNE SMITH FROM WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA AND I'M JOINED BY WILLIAM HATFIELD FROM THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT.

AND DANIELLE IRWIN FROM LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE.

WE WILL BE QUESTIONING THE CANDIDATES ON VARIOUS TOPICS OF INTEREST TO THE VOTING PUBLIC.

>> THE CANDIDATES FOR THE TALLAHASSEE CITY COMMISSION SEAT TWO SITTING LEFT TO RIGHT ARE DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON VERSUS CURTIS RICHARDSON WHO IS THE INCUMBENT FOR THE RACE.

FOR THOSE WATCHING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, PLEASE GET THE SHARE BUTTON AND HELP ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS SEE TODAY'S DISCUSSION LIVE.

FOR THOSE AT HOME HERE IS HOW THE FORMS ARE GOING TO WORK.

WE WILL ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE GETS TO ANSWER FIRST.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS SO WE ARE GOING TO ASK THE CANDIDATES TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO ABOUT 60 SECONDS.

SOMETIMES SHORT OF APOLLO'S AND WE WILL KEEP TIME AND WE HAVE A VERY WAY OF KEEPING TIME.

WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP, YOU WILL HEAR THIS.

YOU DO NOT HAVE COME TO A DEAD STOP RIGHT THEN BUT PLEASE FINISH YOUR SENTENCE AND WE WILL MOVE ON AND WE HAVE A LOT WATCHING LIVE ON FACEBOOK AND YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATES GO AHEAD AND TYPE THEM IN A COMMENT SECTION AND WE WILL GET TO AS MANY OF THEM AS WE CAN.

TIME IS VERY LIMITED SO YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF THE QUESTION BEING HEARD IF YOU KEEP IT BRIEF AND POLITE, MAKE IT APPLICABLE TO BOTH CANDIDATES.

ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN?

THEN LET'S JUMP IN WITH THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> OUR FIRST TOPIC IS NATURAL DISASTERS.

WE HAVE HAD SOME REALLY CLOSE CALLS WITH HURRICANES ESPECIALLY LATELY IN WHICH ABOUT 10 MILES SPARED THE CITY FROM A DIRECT HIT.

WHAT KEPT YOU UP AND I WENT TO LOOK LIKE A DIRECT HIT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS CERTAIN?

WHAT DOES THE CITY NEED TO DO AHEAD OF NEXT TIME WHEN WE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY?

THE FIRST QUESTION WILL GO TO DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: FIRST OF ALL, I WAS VERY NERVOUS.

AS A RESIDENT AND FOR HELENE, WE DID EVACUATE.

THE CITY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB AND ACTUALLY THE HURRICANE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB BY MISSING TALLAHASSEE BOTH HELENE AND MILTON SO WE PRAYED FOR THE AREAS THAT WAS HIT HARD AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LOST EVERYTHING.

WE WERE VERY HAPPY AND FELT BLESSED THAT IT MISSED US.

WE FELT THE CITY DID A GOOD JOB OF GETTING THE UTILITIES BACK ON.

>> COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON?

>> Curtis Richardson: IT IS INTERESTING MY DOHERTY -- DAUGHTER CALLED OUR MY WIFE AND I AND ASKED IF WE WOULD ABANDON THE CITY?

I QUICKLY TOLD HER, I CANNOT DO THAT IN THE LEADERSHIP POSITION THAT I AM IN.

I HAVE TO BE HERE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT I REPRESENT.

MY WIFE AND I DECIDED WE WERE GOING TO RIDE IT OUT WHICH WE DID.

FORTUNATELY, THE HURRICANE TOOK A DIFFERENT ROUTE.

BUT I HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT TO OUR CITY MANAGER AND ALL OF THE WONDERFUL STAFF THAT WE HAVE THAT WORK FOR THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE IN THE JOB THAT THEY HAD DONE TO GET US BACK WITHIN 36 HOURS ALL OF THE UTILITIES WERE BACK ON.

I WILL WATER OF COURSE WE NEVER LOST.

THEY DID A GREAT JOB AND ITS PRACTICE FOR THE NEXT TIME HOPEFULLY.

>> THANK YOU.

WE KNOW IT COMES WITH A LARGE PRICE TAG BUT GIVEN OUR RECENT PROPENSITY WITH STORMS IS REPLACING OVERHEAD UTILITIES WITH UNDERGROUND LINES WE NEED TO CONSIDER?

LOOK AT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT LOOK LIKE AND IS BLUEPRINT LIKE TAX SOMETHING WORTH LOOKING AT?

45 SECOND FOR THIS QUESTION AND WE WILL START WITH MR. RICHARDSON.

>> Curtis Richardson: THAT CONVERSATION HAS COME UP A NUMBER OF TIMES.

IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION.

I MEAN LIKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR UNDERGROUND UTILITIES.

RIGHT NOW WE REQUIRED NEW DEVELOPMENTS TO UNDERGROUND THERE UTILITIES SOUTHWOOD FOR INSTANCE IS ONE OF THOSE.

IS THE DISCUSSION THE CITY WILL HAVE TO HAVE BECAUSE EVEN IN AREAS WHERE THE UTILITIES WERE UNDERGROUND AND HAVE BEEN UNDERGROUND UTILITIES STILL WENT OUT BECAUSE THE APPARATUS ABOVE GROUND WAS IMPACTED BY THE STORM.

BUT IT IS A DISCUSSION THAT THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE.

IF WE DECIDE WE WANT TO COMMIT OURSELVES TO THAT KIND OF EXPENSE TO UNDERGROUND UTILITIES THEN WE CAN POSSIBLY DO A BLUEPRINT TYPE SALES TAX INCREASE TO FUND THAT.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I DO NOT THINK WE NEED A TAX INCREASE TO LOOK AT PLANNING NOW FOR UNDERGROUND UTILITIES.

IN BLUEPRINT, WE HAVE ADDED THINGS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED AT FIRST.

AND THE LIST OF WHAT SHOULD BE COVERED WITH THE TAX SO IF WE START PLANNING AND SETTING ASIDE MONEY IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT, WE CAN CERTAINLY TAKE CARE OF THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS OF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A BENEFIT FINANCIALLY TO THE CITY IN THE LONG RUN.

FOR INSTANCE THE $27 MILLION OR $30 MILLION THAT WENT TO FSU COULD HAVE BEEN A FIRST INSTALLMENT TO WHAT UNDERGROUND UTILITIES.

>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE TOPIC OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS.

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON, WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU.

HOW CAN TALLAHASSEE CREATE AN PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME HOUSING?

HOUSING AND UTILITIES WILL COST NO MORE THAN $645 PER MONTH FOR TWO CHILDREN A PARENT WHO WORKS FULL-TIME AT MILLMAN WAGE.

-- MINIMUM WAGE.

YOU HAVE 45 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I SERVED ON BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEES AS CHAIR.

I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH THE SCHELLENBERG INSTITUTE DATA ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE REAL CRISIS IN TALLAHASSEE IN THAT REGARD IT'S THERE IS WITH AFFORDABLE RENTAL.

THE CITY JUST IS NOT PLANNING AHEAD TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

WE SHOULD BE SETTING ASIDE INCENTIVES TO ATTRACT DEVELOPERS WHO ARE WILLING TO WORK IN THAT REGARD.

I KNOW CURTIS IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT COLUMBIA GARDENS THAT THE CITY WAS A PARTNER IN BRINGING FORWARD.

BUT THE MAIN PERSONS INVOLVED WERE THE TALLAHASSEE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I WAS A FIRST OF ALL THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE IS NOT IN THE HOUSING BUSINESS.

WE DO HAVE PARTNERS THAT WE WORK WITH THAT PROVIDE HOUSING.

FOR INSTANCE, I SERVED ON THE BOARD OF THE TALLAHASSEE BOARD OF CONSORTIUM.

WE PROVIDED FUNDING AND WE HAVE WHAT WE CALL A COMMUNITY LAND GRANT.

WHERE THE LAND IS DONATED SO THAT TAKES THE COST OF LAND ABOUT OF THE HOUSING.

IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTICULARLY THE LOW INCOME HOUSING IS THE SECOND TOP PRIORITY OF THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE.

WE HAVE MADE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN THAT REGARD.

WE HAVE GOT MORE HOUSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE PIPELINE AND COMPLETED TODAY THAN WE DID THE PAST 10 Ã 20 YEARS COMBINED.

WE ARE MAKING CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN THAT REGARD.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

IT IS DIRECTED TO YOU CURTIS RICHARDSON, WE WILL STAY WITH YOU ON THIS ONE.

A NEW LAW BARRED COUNTIES FOR A PERSON TO REGULATE CAMP OR SLEEP ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.

ALSO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE AUTHORIZED TO DESIGNATE A PUBLIC SPACE FOR CAMPING AND SLEEPING.

WITH APPROVAL FROM THE STATE.

HOW SHOULD THE CITY ENFORCE THIS NEW STATE LAW?

45 SECONDS.

>> Curtis Richardson: THAT IS GOING TO BE A TREMENDOUS CHALLENGE BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL FINDING THE LOCATION AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE LAW REQUIRES THAT THERE BE RUNNING WATER THAT THERE BE LIGHTING THAT THERE BE SECURITY AND THAT IS GOING TO BE A TREMENDOUS COST TO THE TAX PAYERS.

IT IS A REQUIREMENT FROM ITS HIS POLITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AGAIN AS A COMMUNITY AS TO HOW WE ARE GOING TO AFFORD THAT.

THE INTERESTING PART OF IT, THEY CAN BE THERE FOR A YEAR THEN THEY HAVE TO BE MOVED FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

IT IS NOT A PERMANENT LOCATION IT IS ONLY FOR ONE YEAR AND THEY HAVE TO MOVE.

AGAIN, AS THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE WHAT THEY DID WHEN I WAS THERE, IT IS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER THE EXPENSE.

THAT IS PROVIDED BY THE STATE.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: WE HAVE A 25 % POVERTY RATE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY AND NOBODY SAID THE CITY BUILDS THE HOUSES INCENTIVES NEED TO BE THERE TO MAKE SURE THEY HAPPEN.

AS FAR AS THE HOMELESS ISSUE WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED.

WE DO NOT HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL.

THERE ARE COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY THAT ARE DOING BETTER IN THAT REGARD THAN TALLAHASSEE.

WE CAN LEARN FROM THE SUCCESSES OF A COMMUNITY.

>> A QUICK FOLLOW-UP ON THAT.

DOES THE COUNTIES CENTER GOT THIS PROBLEM IN HAND OR DO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS CAMP OPTION THAT THE FLORIDA GOVERNMENT HAS PASSED DOWN?

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON, 30 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: WE NEED A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS.

JACKSONVILLE ATTACKED IT YEARS AGO.

THEY HAD A SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY FACILITIES WHERE PEOPLE GOT HELP WITH COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES AND JOBS.

SO THEY WERE ABLE TO MOVE OUT THOSE SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY FACILITIES INTO REGULAR RENTAL HOUSING.

>> IN THE MEANWHILE THIS LAWS ON THE BOOKS NOW, DO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS CAMP OPTION IMMEDIATELY GIVEN THE CITY COULD BE AT RISK?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

>> COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON SAME QUESTION?

>> Curtis Richardson: I DON'T KNOW IF DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON HAS BEEN TO JACKSONVILLE RECENTLY BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE IN JACKSONVILLE EITHER.

HOMELESSNESS IS A GROWING ISSUE PARTICULARLY IN TALLAHASSEE BECAUSE, WE ARE THE HUB OF THIS REGION IF YOU WILL.

SO MANY PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE COMING TO TALLAHASSEE BECAUSE OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE FOR THE HOMELESS HERE AND TALLAHASSEE.

ESPECIALLY THE CENTER YOU MENTIONED.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE AS MANY AND A VARIETY OF SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR THE HOMELESS AS WE CAN.

THERE WOULD NOT BE ONE SINGLE SOLUTION TO THAT ISSUE.

>> DO YOU THINK IN THE SHORT TERM GIVEN THE LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT WE NEED TO PURSUE A CAMP?

>> Curtis Richardson: I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY OTHER OPTION.

IT IS A LAW.

AS DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON SAID, WE HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE LAW AND MAKE IT HAPPENED.

>> WE WANT TO SHIFT OVER TO CITY MANAGEMENT.

ACCORDING TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN WHAT ARE THE CITY GOVERNMENTS PLAN TO LEAD WITH INTEGRITY AT EVERY LEVEL?

IN YOUR OPINION IS CITY GOVERNMENT LEADING WITH INTEGRITY AT EVERY LEVEL AND IF NOT WHAT ARE WE MISSING?

>> Curtis Richardson: I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOU MEAN LEVEL OF INTEGRITY BUT WE DO HAVE A CITY ADMINISTRATION THAT IS SECOND TO NONE.

WE EVALUATE OUR APPOINTED OFFICIALS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

ON A ONE ÃFIVE SCALE AND EACH OF THEM THE CITY MANAGER, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, JIM COOK OUR TREAS.

CLERK AND THE ATTORNEY HAVE ALL SCORED WELL ABOVE FOUR IN MOST INSTANCES AT LEAST FROM THE THREE OF US TO VALUE WHAT THEY DO.

OUR CITY HAS BEEN A MODEL FOR OTHER CITIES IN TERMS OF HOW SHE IS RUN.

THE QUALITY OF STAFF THAT WE HAVE, WE ARE BRINGING IN YOUNG PEOPLE NOW SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN THE INNER WORKINGS OF CITY GOVERNMENT AND BE READY TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS WHERE WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL BE RETIRING SOON.

OUR CITY MANAGER IS ONE OF THOSE AND HE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO RETIRE.

I THINK WE HAVE A VERY WELL RUN CITY AND MODEL FOR OTHERS TO EMULATE.

>> SAME QUESTION DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: THE CITY MODELS GOOD PRACTICES IN SOME AREAS.

BUT I THINK THE CITY MANAGEMENT IS FAR BEHIND IN RULING BY INTEGRITY.

MANY CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE CONTACTED MY CAMPAIGN TO SAY, THAT THEY ARE BEING MANAGED BY FEAR AND INTIMIDATION.

WHEN I SAW THE WAY THE CITY ATTORNEY, THE FORMER CITY ATTORNEY CASSANDRA JACKSON WAS TREATED AND WAS DRIVEN OUT OF CITY HALL BY THE MANAGER AND HIS SUBORDINATES STAFF WITH THE KIND OF ENVIRONMENT THEY CREATED FOR HER.

IT MADE ME VERY CONCERNED AND FEEL A LOT OF CHANGES NEED TO BE CHANGED AT CITY HALL.

ALSO THE WAY THEY TREATED THE FIREFIGHTERS.

FOR 19 MONTHS THOSE PEOPLE WENT WITHOUT THEIR PAY INCREASES WHILE THEIR FAMILIES SUFFERED.

AND YES, -- >> WE ARE GOING TO STAY WITH THIS TOPIC SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE TO SAY AND WE ARE GOING TO START US OUT.

THIS RACE HAS BEEN CAST AS ONE WHERE THE CONTROLLER CITY HALL HANGS IN THE BALANCE.

IF UP VOTE WAS CALLED SHORTLY AFTER THE ELECTION WOULD YOU KEEP THE CURRENT CITY MANAGER IN PLACE?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

ONE MINUTE.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ACT ON THE CITY MANAGER BEFORE I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE HIM DUE PROCESS.

AND EVALUATE HIM LIKE THE OTHER CITY COMMISSIONERS HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO.

BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY BE TRUTHFUL IN THAT EVALUATION AND I CERTAINLY DON'T THINK HE DESERVES A FIVE RATING.

>> THE VALUATION PROCESS OCCURS ONCE A YEAR AND IT JUST HAPPENED, WOULD THAT MEAN THEY WOULD NOT BE ANY VOTE ON CHANGING OF THE CITY MANAGER UNTIL AROUND NEXT YEAR AT THIS TIME?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: WELL I WOULD CERTAINLY VOICE MY OPINION ABOUT HIS PERFORMANCE.

I THINK IT HAS BEEN DISMAL IN SOME AREAS.

BUT IT TAKES THREE COMMISSIONERS TO ACT ON ANYTHING IN CITY GOVERNMENT.

>> CURTIS RICHARDSON, SAME QUESTION.

>> Curtis Richardson: I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY QUESTION OF WHAT THE VOTE WOULD LOOK LIKE BASED ON THE FACT THAT DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON SAID SHE WAS RUNNING WHEN SHE ANNOUNCED HER CAMPAIGN THAT SHE WAS RUNNING TO GIVE THE CURRENT PHILOSOPHICAL MINORITY IF YOU WILL ON THE COMMISSION ONE THIRD VOTE.

IT HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT MY COLLEAGUES TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COMMISSION CURRENTLY HAD A DISDAIN FOR THE CITY MANAGER AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP.

I KNOW THEY WILL PROBABLY TRY TO ACT TO GET RID OF THE CITY MANAGER UNDER THAT CIRCUMSTANCE.

I THINK HE IS DOING A GOOD JOB.

OUR CITY IS VERY WELL RUN.

HE IS AT THE LEADERSHIP PERFORMANCE OF STAFF OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS WHEN WE HAVE HAD NATURAL DISASTERS AND HOW WE HAVE BROUGHT OUR CITY BACK AND SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDED TO OUR CITIZENS.

THAT IS EVIDENCE OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT HE IS PROVIDED AND I THINK IS DUE TO KEEP HIS POSITION.

>> 15 SECONDS TO RESPOND DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: THOSE TWO COMMISSIONERS HAD A REASON TO SHOW DISDAIN BECAUSE THE CITY MANAGER DOESN'T EVEN GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF TELLING THEM WHAT IS GOING ON.

HE TALKED BASICALLY TO THE THREE IN POWER.

>> COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON, WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT THE COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON, WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT THE 3/2 VOTING BLOCK.

YOU JUST MENTIONED THE NUMBER THREE WHAT IS THE KEY EXAMPLE WHERE YOU WENT IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION?

AND WHY?

30 SECONDS.

>> Curtis Richardson: WHEN USED IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION?

>> A DIFFERENT DIRECTION FROM THE THREE.

WE TALK ABOUT VOTING BLOCK, WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE YOU WENT IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION?

>> Curtis Richardson: I HAVE SERVED ON THREE COLLEGIATE BOTTLES AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE AND NOW ON THE CITY COMMISSION.

I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS FROM VERY IN BACKGROUNDS AND DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES.

IN EVERY INSTANCE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO GET THINGS DONE.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE COME TO MIND?

IN THE CURRENT CITY COMMISSION?

>> Curtis Richardson: I WILL NOT TELL YOU SPECIFIC VOTE WE TOOK BECAUSE ACTUALLY 90% OF THE VOTES THAT WE TAKE OUR UNANIMOUS VOTES.

IF YOU WANT ME TO USE THAT AS AN INSTANCE THEN YES.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON YOU WERE PART OF JERRY MATT LOADS SLATE OF CANDIDATES WHAT IS ONE KEY AREA YOU DISAGREE WITH COMMISSIONER MATT LOW ON?

30 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I DO NOT KNOW ALL OF THE VOTES LIKE CURTIS DOES THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN BUT I CAN TELL YOU FOR A FACT, I AM A DECLARED PROGRESSIVE.

MATT LOW AND PORTER ARE PROGRESSES.

ALL OF THE CITY COMMISSIONERS ARE DEMOCRATS BUT ONLY TWO OF THEM VOTE LIKE DEMOCRATS.

>> IS THERE ANY SPECIFIC AREA YOU CAN HIGHLIGHT THAT YOU WOULD TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH THEN COMMISSIONER MATT LOW?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I DON'T KNOW WHERE I WOULD TAKE A DIFFERENT VOTE OFFHAND.

BUT I WOULD APPROACH SOME OF THE ISSUES DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE I HAVE THE INSTINCT TO TRY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER SO I WOULD PROBABLY MODERATE HOW I DISAGREE.

>> CURTIS RICHARDSON 15 SECONDS.

>> Curtis Richardson: THESE THINGS ABOUT POLITICAL PARTIES THEY ARE NONPARTISAN RACES.

I'VE BEEN A REGISTERED DEMOCRAT SINCE 1974.

I HAVE VOTED DEMOCRAT, I HAVE SERVED AS A DEMOCRATS ELECTED OFFICIAL BUT THE CITY COMMISSION SEATS ARE NONPARTISAN.

>> THANK YOU.

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON YOU GET IN LAST 15 SECONDS AND WE GO TO THE NEXT TOPIC.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: THE POLITICAL PARTY MIGHT NOT BE IMPORTANT BUT THE ISSUES ARE.

THERE ARE PROGRESSIVE ISSUES WHERE YOU ARE BRINGING PEOPLE ONTO THE BIG TENT AND TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

CURTIS DOES NOT DO THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE MOVING ON TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

IN 2023 THE CITY WAS ROCKED BY A SUMMER SURGE IN SHOOTINGS.

THE SUMMER IT WAS A DRASTIC DIFFERENCE IN FEWER.

>> Curtis Richardson: THE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH THAT WE USE TO ADDRESS CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY, MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INDIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE YOUNG MAN WAS KILLED NOT FAR FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT WAS A PERSONAL FRIEND OF MY DAUGHTER'S.

IT WAS A NEIGHBOR THAT WAS THE PAPER -- PERPETRATOR.

WE TRY TO PUT PROGRAM EARLY IN THE LIVES OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO STEER THEM AWAY FROM CRIME.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE INVESTED IN PUBLIC SAFETY BY HIRING ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS AND INVESTING IN THE TECHNOLOGY THAT THEY USE NOW TO SOLVE A LOT OF THESE CRIMES.

WE ATTRIBUTE A LOT OF THAT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH AND THE CRIME REDUCTION THAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST YEAR.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE TO THAT SHIFT?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: WHAT TO ATTRIBUTE TO THE -- I ATTRIBUTE IT TO POVERTY AND A LOT OF THE INEQUITIES THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH AND THIS COMMUNITY.

IF YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THE POVERTY ISSUE IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THIS.

WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE PROGRAMS FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN WHO HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO THAT PIPELINE ALREADY.

I SERVE ON THE COUNCIL FOR THE STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS IN THE RESEARCH AND PLANNING COMMITTEE.

WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

>> WOULD YOU ATTRIBUTE TO THE SHIFT FROM THE SEARCH AND 2023 TO THE LOWER NUMBERS THIS SUMMER?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I THINK THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS THE GUN VIOLENCE.

IF YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE CRIME MAYBE IT SHIFTED.

BUT THE GUN VIOLENCE HASN'T CHANGED THAT MUCH.

>> ONE REPORT OF VIOLENT CRIME HAVE SUBSIDED IN RECENT MONTHS CRIME DOES REMAIN AN ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITY INCLUDING BURGLARIES AND THE NEED FOR EXTRA PATROLS IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND SPEEDING VIOLATIONS.

IF YOU SAT DOWN IN A ONE-ON-ONE TODAY WITH CHIEF, WHICH WOULD YOU ACTIVITY TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY?

45 SECONDS MR. RICHARDSON WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU.

>> Curtis Richardson: VIOLENT CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE IS.

53% OF THE GUN CRIMES THAT ARE COMMITTED ARE BY STOLEN GUNS FROM UNLOCKED CARS.

WE PARTNER WITH THE URBAN LEAGUE AND THEY HAVE A MARKETING CAMPAIGN.

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THE YARD SIGNS AROUND TOWN TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THAT FIRST OF ALL THEY DON'T LEAVE A LOADED GUN IN A CAR.

IF THEY DO TO MAKE SURE THE CAR IS LOCKED IN THE GUN IS SECURED.

AND SO THAT IS THE THING THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON.

WE HAVE SEEN BASED ON THE INITIATIVES THAT WE PUT IN PLACE INCLUDING THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS, WE HAVE SEEN A REDUCTION IN VIOLENT CRIME AND PROPERTY CRIMES IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON WHAT WOULD YOU ASK TPD TO ADDRESS?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: THEY GIVEN A SIMPLE QUESTION TO A COMPLEX PROBLEM.

THE CITY CONTINUING TO SAY THAT THE ONLY WAY THIS VIOLENT CRIMES HAPPEN IS BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE UNLOCKED CARS AND THEY ARE STEALING THE GUNS IS ERRONEOUS.

THEY DO THAT SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO LOOK DEEPLY AT WHAT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEMS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU ASK THE TPT - - TPD TO ADDRESS?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE COME IN CONTACT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND IT IS A MISDEMEANOR OR NOT SOMETHING REALLY SERIOUS THAT THEY GET A CIVIL CITATION.

JUST AS IT WAS RECOMMENDED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS DOING THAT BUT THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE KIND OF COOPERATION FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IF THEY DON'T GET INTO THE PRISON SYSTEM EARLY ON MAYBE THEY WILL NOT THERE WON'T BE THAT KIND OF RECIDIVISM LATER AND A MORE SERIOUS CRIMES THAT FOLLOW.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE ON TODAY ECONOMY NOW.

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON WE WILL BEGIN WITH YOU.

WHAT MORE SHOULD CITY GOVERNMENT BLUEPRINTS OFFICE OF ECONOMIC VITALITY IN THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE DO TO MAKE TALLAHASSEE A MORE DESIRABLE LOCATION FOR RECENT GRADUATES TO STAY AND GROW THEIR CAREER?

45 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I THINK WHAT THE CITY HAS TO DO IS CONCENTRATE ON REALLY KEEPING AN ACTIVE VITALS CITY FOR TO KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE HERE AND TO INVEST IN INCENTIVES TO BRING MORE JOBS THAT ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE HERE AND WORKING.

>> THANK YOU.

CURTIS RICHARDSON SAME QUESTION.

>> Curtis Richardson: I'M VERY PROUD OF WHATEVER OFFICE OF ECONOMIC VOLATILITY HAVE DONE IN THAT REGARD.

I WAS ON THE SALES TAX COMMITTEE WHERE WE ENVISIONED A PORTION OF THAT REVENUE GOING TOWARDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ADDITION TO THE 32 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED.

WE HAVE HAD MUCH SUCCESS AND AMAZON IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE 2000 JOBS WERE CREATED.

HIGH WAGE AND HIGH SKILLED JOBS AND ANOTHER EXAMPLE AND EVEN WITHIN THE CITY WE ARE MAKING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

COLLEGE GRADUATES TRAINING THEM TO TAKE THE JOBS WE HAVE IN CITY GOVERNMENT.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE PARTNER WITH THE CHAMBERS TO DO AS WELL AS TO CREATE THOSE HIGH WAGE AND HIGH SKILLED JOBS THAT WOULD ENCOURAGE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE GRADUATING FROM OUR UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES TO MAKE TALLAHASSEE THEIR HOME.

>> THE NEXT QUESTION ON THIS AND CURTIS RICHARDSON WILL START WITH YOU.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S.

SENSES ONE FOURTH OF TALLAHASSEE'S RESIDENTS LIVE IN POVERTY.

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON REFER TO THIS EARLY.

WHY ARE SO MANY RESIDENTS LIVING IN POVERTY?

IF REELECTED WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT IT?

45 SECONDS.

>> Curtis Richardson: WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY THAT PROVIDES SERVICES.

PRIMARILY WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE HIGH WAGE AND HIGH SKILLED JOBS AVAILABLE.

BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HELP PEOPLE GET OUT OF POVERTY.

PUT A FOCUS ON FOR INSTANCE I RETIRE FROM TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

PUT AN EMPHASIS ON NOT NECESSARILY THE SCHOOL TO COLLEGE PIPELINE AND THAT IS FINE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE.

BUT TO EMPHASIZE VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL TRAINING JOBS LIKE WELDING AND PLUMBING AND BEAUTICIANS EVEN.

WHERE THEY CAN EARN A GREAT LIVING AND BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND A FAMILY.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

>> THANK YOU.

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO ADDRESS THE POVERTY LEVEL?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I CAN AGREE WITH CURTIS ON CONCENTRATION ON TRADE JOBS.

JOBS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN BE TRAINED WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A LONG PERIOD OF TIME IN COLLEGE OR EVEN A TRADE SCHOOL BEFORE THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A JOB THAT PAYS A HIGH WAGE.

PLUMBING AND HVAC ALL OF THOSE PAY GOODS WAGES.

ANOTHER REASON IS TO PAY APPRENTICESHIPS TO HAVE PAID APPRENTICESHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS WHILE THEY ARE COMPLETING THEIR TRAINING SO THAT THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIFT THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY SOONER.

>> WE ARE GOING TO DO A BRIEF LIGHTNING ROUND.

I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS ON EACH ANSWER.

IT IS GOING TO GO QUICK.

[LAUGHTER] YOU BOTH HAVE A LONG TRACK RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU ADMIRE ABOUT YOUR OPPONENT?

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON, YOU START.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I ADMIRE CURTIS FOR HIS LOVE FOR HIS GIRLS.

>> CURTIS RICHARDSON SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

>> Curtis Richardson: I ADMIRE DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON FOR THE BOOK THAT SHE WROTE ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN FIRST.

I WANT TO THANK HER FOR INCLUDING ME IN THAT AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALE ELECTED TO THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.

>> HAPPY BICENTENNIAL TELL US ONE PERSON AND TALLAHASSEE HISTORY YOU ADMIRE AND WHY?

>> Curtis Richardson: THERE ARE SO MANY BUT THE FIRST ONE THAT COMES TO MIND IS THE REFERENT STEEL AND LEADERSHIP HE PROVIDED IN THIS COMMUNITY IN LEADING US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND ESTABLISHING THAT FOUNDATION.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON SAME QUESTION?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I WOULD SAY, I WONDER LIVING LEGEND AWARD LAST YEAR.

FROM THE CK STEEL INSTITUTE BUT I ALSO HAVE TO SHOUT OUT ANITA DAVIS.

SHE WORKED SO HARD IN THIS COMMUNITY RECENTLY.

I STILL MOURN HER PASSING BECAUSE SHE DID SO MUCH.

>> SO I'VE GOT TWO QUESTIONS I JUST WANT ONE THING AND I KNOW HOW HARD THAT CAN BE.

BUT WHAT DO YOU POINT TO AS YOUR SINGULAR ACHIEVEMENT DURING YOUR PREVIOUS TENURE OF THE COMMISSION?

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON, SINGULAR THE BIGGEST THING?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: THAT IS HARD.

I WOULD SAY, THE CLAIMANT PLAZA.

>> THE ONE THING IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS CURTIS RICHARDSON?

>> Curtis Richardson: THE HALF BILLION DOLLARS I'VE ADVOCATED FOR FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TALLAHASSEE.

>> IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL BE THE ONE SIGNATURE ACHIEVEMENT OF YOUR NEXT FOUR YEAR TERM?

>> Curtis Richardson: TO CONTINUE PROVIDING LOW INCOME HOUSING.

THAT HAS BEEN A PERSONAL PRIORITY OF MINE AS WELL AS THE PRIORITY OF THE COMMISSION IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON, YOUR ONE SIGNATURE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE NAM SAID FOUR YEARS?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I WOULD BRING THE CITY'S FINANCES INTO SOUND SHAPE BY REQUESTING A FORENSIC AUDIT TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE BEEN SEEING IN THAT REGARD.

>> LACKS -- THE LAST QUESTION ON THIS BUT WITH THE CITY LOOK LIKE FOUR YEARS FROM NOW?

30 SECONDS AREA.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: IT WILL LOOK THE SAME WITH THE CITY MANAGER RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT INSTEAD OF THE CITY COMMISSION ANSWERING TO THE PUBLIC.

THE VOTERS ARE THE EMPLOYERS OF CITY COMMISSIONERS AND THEY HAVE A JOB TO DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC NOT DEVELOPERS.

>> CURTIS RICHARDSON SAME QUESTION.

>> Curtis Richardson: I THINK WE WOULD BE A COMMUNITY THAT IS ANTIBUSINESS.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> LIGHTNING ROUND IS DONE AND WE ARE MOVING TO THE TOPIC OF DEVELOPMENT.

THE PUBLIC IS CONCERNED THAT DEVELOPERS OFTEN CLEAR CUT LAND OR BRING BUSINESSES LIKE GAS STATIONS WITH LITTLE REGARD TO ITS IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS IN TRAFFIC IF ELECTED WHAT ACTIONS WOULD YOU TAKE TO ADDRESS SUCH CONCERNS AND MITIGATE SUCH IMPACTS?

COMMISSIONER RESISTANCE WE WILL START WITH NEW 45 SECONDS.

>> Curtis Richardson: SAID THE COMMUNITY IS CONCERNED AND I DO NOT HEAR THAT THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE WE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE.

I CAN TELL YOU CANOPY IS ONE OF THEM.

I HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD ON TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE HAVE OUR LOCAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHICH IS THE BLUEPRINT FOR GROWTH IN THIS COMMUNITY.

IT TELLS US WHERE GROWTH CAN OCCUR HOW IT CAN OCCUR AND THAT IS WHAT WE FOLLOW.

WE HAVE OUR LAND USE CODES AND ENSURE THAT DEVELOPERS STICK TO THOSE TWO PLANNING DOCUMENTS AND GROWTH DOCUMENTS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: FIRST OF ALL, CURTIS ADDRESSED THE CAMPING NEIGHBORHOOD IN A PR KIND OF WAY.

BY PUTTING ALL OF THE STAFF IN A ROOM WITH THEM AND TELLING THEM THERE'S NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT THE PROCESS.

THREE COMMISSIONERS CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS IN CITY GOVERNMENT.

IT IS A BIG CONCERN.

I JUST HAD A CALL THIS MORNING FROM ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION IS BEING IGNORED AND BUFFERS AND ANYTHING WHERE THEY ARE PUTTING DEVELOPMENT RIGHT UP AGAINST PEOPLE'S BACKYARDS.

IF IT WASN'T A PROBLEM, I WOULD NOT BE HEARING FROM ALL OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS ASKING FOR MY SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE RARE -- RAILROAD - - TO REDEVELOP THE DISTRICT AND WHY?

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON WILL START WITH NEW 45 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER BUT I WAS THIS REGION'S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE FLORIDA ARTS COUNCIL.

IT WAS A REASON A LOT OF DOLLARS WERE DIRECTED TO NORTH FLORIDA INSTEAD OF GOING TO CENTRAL FLORIDA AND SOUTH FLORIDA FOR THE ARTS.

I WAS A LEADER IN MAKING SURE WE HAD A LOCAL ARTS AGENCY THAT WAS THE CULTURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION THAT IS NOW COCOA.

I SUPPORT THE ARCH DISTRICT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HAVE A VITAL CITY WITHOUT INCLUDING CULTURE, HISTORY, AND THE ARTS.

>> COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON?

>> Curtis Richardson: I TO WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THE ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ARTS DISTRICT.

WILL THAT BE WORLD SQUARE, WE CAN MAKE THAT DECISION YOU BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO IS OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE STUDIES IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT ON THAT AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE ARE PURCHASING IF WE DECIDE TO MAKE THAT PURCHASE THAT WE WILL HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT.

ONE THING THAT I WILL NOT DO IS TAKE MONEY FROM THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE HAD PROMISED THAT WE WOULD INVEST IN.

THE PROVIDENCE NEIGHBORHOOD AND SOUTH CITY WOULD SEE THE FUNDING AND I WILL NOT TAKE MONEY FROM THEM TO PUT TOWARDS THE ART DISTRICTS.

BECAUSE THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE OUR PRIORITY.

>> SPEAKING OF THE SPENDING HER MONEY CURTIS RICHARDSON WILL STAY WITH YOU ON THIS TOPIC.

LOCAL VOTERS CREATED BLUEPRINT IN 1989.

IT IS FUNDED THROUGH 1% SALES TAX AND THE BLUEPRINT BOARD HAS MADE OF OF THE CITY AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AS YOU KNOW.

IT HAS TWO FUNCTIONS SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THE QUESTION IS IS THE MONEY BEING SPENT WISELY OR IS IT BEING SPENT UNWISELY?

45 SECONDS.

>> Curtis Richardson: I THINK IT IS WISELY.

THE 32 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT WERE APPROVED BY THE VOTERS ARE ON TRACK TO BE COMPLETED.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WHEN WE DID THE FIRST BLUEPRINT 2000 I WAS ON THE BLUEPRINT BOARD AT THE TIME.

WE COMPLETED ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET.

I AM ON THE IA BOARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP FAITH WITH THE PUBLIC IN THAT REGARD THIS TIME AROUND AND COMPLETE ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT THIS COMMUNITY VOTED ON.

WE ALSO HAD THE VISION TO SET ASIDE 12% OF THE REVENUE FROM THE PENNY SALES TAX FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES AND WE ARE SEEING THE DIVIDENDS FROM THAT INVESTMENT COME TO FRUITION AND PROJECTS.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON SAME QUESTION FOR YOU IS THE BLUEPRINT MONEY BEING SPENT WISELY?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: IT DEPENDS ON THE PERSON DETERMINING WHAT AN ECONOMIC ELEMENT PROJECT IS.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COULD BE REINVESTING IN YOUR CITY AND MAKING IT A PROUD LIVABLE CITY THAT BRINGS IN MORE DEVELOPMENT, MORE BUSINESSES BECAUSE THE EMPLOYEES THEY ARE BRINGING THEIR, THEY WANT TO SEE A VITAL CITY TO SUPPORT THE THINGS THEY WERE USED TO HAVING WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

>> WE ARE GOING TO SHIFT TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF YOUR OPPONENTS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS?

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON START US OUT 45 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF YOUR OPPONENTS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: MY OPPONENTS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS COME FROM DEVELOPMENT INTERESTS, BUSINESSES THAT HAVE CURRENT CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE WHICH I CONSIDER A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND A VIOLATION OF ETHICS.

>> THANK YOU.

CURTIS RICHARDSON WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF YOUR OPPONENTS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS?

45 SECONDS.

>> Curtis Richardson: 75% OF MY CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION COME FROM INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

EVEN THE DEVELOPERS THAT DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON TALKS ABOUT THEY ARE CITIZENS OF TALLAHASSEE.

THEY HAVE BUSINESSES, THEY HIRE INDIVIDUALS, THEY PAY TAXES.

FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS ARE COMING FROM PLACES LIKE CALIFORNIA, TENNESSEE.

THESE PACKS THAT WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT AND THERE'S NO TRANSPARENCY AND THEY ARE BEING FUNNELED THROUGH A PACK THAT IS RUN BY A COLLEAGUE ON THE CITY COMMISSION.

THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT.

AND I THINK THIS COMMUNITY HAS TO ASK THE QUESTION, WHAT IS GOING TO BE EXPECTED OF A COMMISSIONER THAT HAS BEEN FUNDED BY OUT-OF-STATE INTEREST LIKE THAT?

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON 50 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I HAVE RAISED OVER $95,000 IN MY DIRECT CAMPAIGN WITH CONTRIBUTIONS OF FIVE DOLLARS UP TO $200 WITH JUST A HANDFUL OF MY DONORS WHO ARE CITIZENS VOTING MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY WHO CAN PAY $500 OR $1000.

>> THIS RACE IS EASILY THE MOST EXPENSIVE LOCAL OF 2024 WITH THE TWO CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL COMMITTEES BACKING THEM RAISING MORE THAN $900,000 SO FAR.

IT IS FUNDED LARGELY BY WEALTHY DONORS WITH LOCAL DEVELOPERS AND REAL ESTATE INTEREST BACKING COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON AND GREEN ENERGY DARK MONEY GROUPS FROM CALIFORNIA AND ELSEWHERE BACKING DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON.

FOR BOTH CANDIDATES WHY DO YOU THINK THESE COMMITTEES ARE SUPPORTING YOU AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY WANT IN RETURN?

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON 45 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: THE GROUPS THAT ARE BACKING ME FROM OUT OF THE STATE ARE CLIMATE CHANGE CABINET ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND ALLIANCE FOR CLEAN ENERGY.

WHICH IS AN ENVIRONMENT TO GROUP.

I DO NOT KNOW OF ANYTHING I AS A CITIZEN COULD GIVE THEM EXCEPT BEING A GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY PROTECTING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND MAKING SURE WE ARE DOING THINGS TO ENSURE WE HAVE CLEAN WATER AND NOT POLLUTED CLEAN AIR AND OUR NATURAL RESOURCES ARE PROTECTED.

>> CURTIS RICHARDSON SAME QUESTION.

>> Curtis Richardson: WE ARE DOING THE SAME THING RIGHT NOW IN THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST WATER THAT YOU WILL FIND ANYWHERE, WE ARE PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WE HAVE BEEN NAMED TREE CITY USA FOR THE LAST 31 YEARS.

WE TALK ABOUT WHO IS CONTRIBUTING, HAVE A HISTORY IN PUBLIC OFFICE AND I HAVE TAKEN CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE PAST AND ALL ANYBODY EXPECTS FROM CURTIS RICHARDSON IS GOOD GOVERNMENT.

I WILL LISTEN I WILL CONSIDER THE ISSUES AND I WILL MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THIS COMMUNITY.

MY BACKGROUND SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

>> WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO GO.

>> JUMPING INTO THE CITY BUDGET CURTIS RICHARDSON WILL START WITH YOU.

VOTED 3/2 IN FAVOR OF THE $1.2 BILLION BUDGET FOR 2025.

WHILE THE CITY MILLAGE RATE WENT DOWN SLIGHTLY FOR EVERY THOUSAND DOLLAR IT COUNTS AS A TAX INCREASE UNDER FLORIDA LAW BECAUSE IT WILL BE 6 MILLION IN REVENUE.

SHOULD THE CITY DO MORE TO TIGHTEN ITS BELT AND PROVIDE TAX RELIEF?

AND RELIEF TO TAXPAYERS?

45 SECONDS.

>> Curtis Richardson: THAT IS ONE OF THE THING -- THINGS WE - - TURNING -- [INDISCERNIBLE].

WE HAVE NOT THE LOWEST WE HAVE ONE OF THE LORDS MILLAGE RATES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

OUR CITIZENS ARE GETTING TREMENDOUS BENEFITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AT A COST LESS THAN WHAT SOME OTHERS ARE PAYING.

WE ANTICIPATE ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM THE SCHOOL ZONE CAMERAS THAT WE WILL BE PUTTING UP SO THAT IS WHY WE WERE ABLE TO REDUCE THE MILLAGE RATE EVEN MORE.

I THINK WE ARE DOING ALL THAT WE CAN TO TIGHTEN THE BUDGET BUT STILL PROVIDE THE QUALITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS COME TO EXPECT.

>> THANK YOU DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON SAME QUESTION.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: THE COMMISSIONER SHOULD HEAD START TIGHTENING THE BELT BACK IN 2022 AND AVOIDED 8.5% PROPERTY TAX INCREASE THAT HURTS THE LEAST ABLE TO PAY THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

TIGHTENING THE BELT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE CITY MANAGER FROM PUTTING ON THREE NEW ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS AND QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS IN SALARY EACH.

IT WOULD HAVE MADE THE MORE COGNIZANT OF HOW THE FINANCES WERE BEING RUN SO THAT $1 MILLION SCAM COULD NOT HAVE BEEN RUN ON THE CITY.

IT ALSO WOULD HAVE MADE THEM MORE AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THEIR PROCUREMENT PROCESS THAT ALLOWS.

>> THIS IS HAPPENING A LOT BUT YOU ARE ALLOWING RUN ON ANSWERS IN SOME INSTANCES.

>> YOU HAVE 15 SECONDS.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: THAT ALLOWS -- CURTIS RICHARDSON 50 SECONDS.

>> Curtis Richardson: WHAT I WANT TO ANSWER IS THE ISSUE OF THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM IT $8 MILLION WAS TOTALLY INVESTED IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND WE HAVE SEEN THE BENEFITS OF THAT INVESTMENT.

70% OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS WERE NOT IMPACTED BY THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON SAID YOU SUPPORT THE CITY HIRING MORE POLICE OFFICERS BUT YOU DID NOT SUPPORT THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE TO HIDE AND BRING YOU SAID THE CITY COULD CUT HIS BUDGET TO HIRE ADDITIONAL OFFICERS, WHERE WOULD YOU CUT THE CITY BUDGET TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I WOULD HAVE A PROCUREMENT PROCESS THAT DOES NOT ALLOW WASTED CITY DOLLARS LIKE THE ONE IN THE NORTHWOOD CENTER WHERE THE POLICE COMPLEX THAT IS BEING BUILT BY AJAX CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO GO FROM $40 MILLION BUDGET Ã $135 MILLION BUDGET.

ALMOST 100 MILLION MORE THAN IT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED.

THAT MONEY COULD HAVE GONE INTO PART OF THE BUDGET-CUTTING.

>> VERY GOOD.

IN A RECENT MEETING COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON TALKED ABOUT THE FIREFIGHTERS CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT IS SURE WHAT YOU THINK CREATED THAT?

>> Curtis Richardson: I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CREATED IT.

BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU THAT PROCESS WAS POLITICIZED.

IT WAS DRAGGED ON TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THIS ELECTION.

BUT I AM PROUD TO SAY, THAT JUST RECENTLY THE FIREFIGHTERS DID APPROVE THEIR CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE.

THERE HAS BEEN AN AGREEMENT MADE IN THE COUNTRY FOR THE COMMISSION TONIGHT FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

THAT PROCESS WAS POLITICIZED.

THE CITY COMMISSION HAS NO ROLE IN THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS OTHER THAN TO APPROVE THE FINAL CONTRACT THAT IS AGREED-UPON.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON DO YOU AGREE?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: ABSOLUTELY NOT.

FIREFIGHTERS WENT THROUGH A NEGOTIATION PROCESS THAT STARTED IN THAT STARTED IN MARCH 2023.

IT HAS BEEN 19 MONTHS SINCE IT STARTED BEFORE THEY FINALLY GOT A CONTRACT.

THEY NEVER GOT THEIR RAISE FOR 2024.

BECAUSE THAT PERIOD HAD ALREADY ENDED.

THEY AGREED TO THAT CONTRACT BECAUSE THEY WERE TIRED OF BEING PRESSED DOWN AND NOT HAVING MONEY FOR THE FAMILIES.

>> WE ARE GOING TO THE CITY CHARTER AMENDMENTS.

HOW WILL YOU VOTE ON THE CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT ONE WHICH EFFECTIVELY DOUBLES COMMISSIONERS SALARIES AND TIED THEM TO THE SAME PAY AS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS?

PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWERS AND 45 SECONDS.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: FIREFIGHTERS BEGINNING AT $44,000 FOR THEIR FULL-TIME SALARY FOR 53 HOURS PER WEEK THE CITY COMMISSION MAKES $45,000 FOR THEIR PART-TIME JOBS AND THEY ARE ASKING TO HAVE THEIR SALARIES DOUBLED.

IT SEEMS INCREDIBLE AND THAT KIND OF SITUATION THEY COULD BE ASKING FOR THEIR PART-TIME SALARIES TO BE MORE THAN DOUBLE FOR A BEGINNING FIREFIGHTER HAS BEEN MAKING IN THE PAST.

>> YOU WILL BE VOTING, NO.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: I WILL BE VOTING, NO.

>> CURTIS RICHARDSON.

>> Curtis Richardson: WE ARE NOT GIVING OURSELVES A RAISE.

IT IS NOT FOR CURTIS RICHARDSON.

I HAVE DONE THIS FOR 10 YEARS AT THE SALARY THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR THIS POSITION.

WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR IS WHAT COMES IN THE FUTURE.

YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ABLE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT RETIRED, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SERVE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD ON A $45,000 SALARY.

>> HOW WILL YOU BE VOTING?

>> Curtis Richardson: I AM VOTING FOR IT.

>> TO THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION IN NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION VOTERS WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE OR REJECT AN AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION THAT WILL LEGALIZE THE RECREATIONAL USE OF MARIJUANA FOR ADULTS AGE 21 AND OLDER.

STATE LICENSE ENTITIES WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO DISTRIBUTE MARIJUANA AND RELATED PRODUCTS.

WHY DO YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE AMENDMENT THREE TO ALLOW RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA?

IN YOUR OPINION HOW WITH THE PASSAGE IMPACT THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE?

AND 45 SECONDS CURTIS RICHARDSON WILL START WITH YOU.

>> Curtis Richardson: EARLY ON I DID OPPOSE THE AMENDMENT BEFORE I KNEW ALL OF THE NUANCES OF IT.

I BASED MY RESPONSE BEEN ON WHAT I HAD EXPERIENCED AS A 17-YEAR-OLD STUDENT AT FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY WHEN MARIJUANA WAS BEING WIDELY USED.

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER INTRODUCED TO IT.

BUT NOW THAT I KNOW MORE OF THE DETAILS OF WHAT THE AMENDMENT WILL DO TO LEGALIZE IT FOR THOSE 21 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER TO LIMIT IT TO THE INDUSTRY THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GROWING OF MARIJUANA AND THE SALES OF MARIJUANA MAKING SURE THAT MARIJUANA IS SOLD IS NOT LACED FENTANYL AND OTHER DANGEROUS CHEMICALS.

I WILL BE VOTING FOR IT.

>> DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON?

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: AS I SAID IN THE PREVIOUS DEBATE, WILL BE VOTING FOR IT.

I AM STILL GOING TO BE AVOIDING DIRECT VOTING FOR IT.

MANY OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO IT BECAUSE OF USE OF MARIJUANA.

YOU HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONCERNS.

IF IT IS SAFE TO BUY FROM THOSE, IT IS SAFE FOR USE NOW.

IT PUTS REGULATIONS IN PLACE TO CONTROL IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE GOING TO CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN YOUR 45 SECONDS TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO VOTERS.

DOROTHY INMAN-JOHNSON START IS OUT.

>> Dorothy Inman-Johnson: THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

-- TO SPEAK TO YOU TO TODAY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT 2 AND A HALF WEEKS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF MY VISION FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I AM COMPLETELY, COMPLETELY COMMITTED TO WORKING FOR ALL OF TALLAHASSEE.

ALL OF TALLAHASSEE EVEN THOSE WHO MAY NOT VOTE FOR ME ON NOVEMBER 5.

BECAUSE I AM INVESTED IN MAKING SURE TO MAKE THIS THE BEST CITY CAN POSSIBLY BE.

I ASKED FOR YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMBER 5 OR BEGINNING NEXT WEEK WHEN EARLY VOTING STARTS ON THE 21ST.

>> CURTIS RICHARDSON CLOSE US OUT.

>> Curtis Richardson: WHAT I WOULD SAY, MY RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF IN TERMS OF MY REPRESENTATION ON THE CITY COMMISSION.

I RAN FOR THE COMMISSION BECAUSE AT THE TIME THERE HAD NOT BEEN A COMMISSIONER WHO LIVED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN REPRESENTED ON THE COMMISSION.

WE DO NOT RUN FROM DISTRICTS BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY AFRICAN-AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAD BEEN NEGLECTED OR UNDERSERVED.

WE HAVE SEEN A CHANGE IN THAT.

I THINK THE CITY HAS MOVED FORWARD UNDER THE LEADERSHIP AND WE ARE GROWING.

WE ARE A PROSPERING CITY AND MY VISION IS FOR EVERY CITIZEN REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE IN THE CITY TO FEEL LIKE THEY LIVE IN THE ALL AMERICA CITY THAT TALLAHASSEE HAS BEEN TWICE DESIGNATED.

THAT IS WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE DURING THESE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

>> THANK YOU TO THE CANADA'S AND THE AUDIENCES FOR JOINING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA AND TALLAHASSEE DEMOGRAPHIC PROGRAM.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON THE YOUTUBE PAGES TALLAHASSEE.com AND WFSU.ORG.

THE RECORDED BROADCAST WILL AIRED WEDNESDAY AT 11:00 EASTERN AT 88.9 FM.

REMEMBER EARLY VOTING BEGINS OCTOBER 21 AND ENDS NOVEMBER 3.

ELECTION DAY TAKES PLACE ON NOVEMBER 5.

>> IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE SUPERINTENDENTS CANDIDATES THAT IS THE LAST FORUM WE HAVE.

PLEASE EMAIL US AT NEWS@TALLAHASSEE.COM.

PLEASE LOOK FOR COVERAGE OF THIS RACE AND ALL PLEASE LOOK FOR COVERAGE OF THIS RACE AND ALL RACES@TALLAHASSEE.COM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

WE ARE OUT.

[MUSIC]