>> CLEVELAND MAYORAL DEBATE IS MADE POSSIBLE FROM THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION AND THE GEORGE GUND FOUNDATION.

♪ >> GOOD EVENING.

FROM THE WESTFIELD STUDIO CENTER IN CLEVELAND, OHIO, I'M RICK JACKSON.

CLEVELAND'S MAYOR FRANK JACKSON IS RETIRING.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 16 YEARS, THE CITY WILL ALIKE DILUTE -- A NEW LEADER.

WELCOME TO CLEVELAND MAYORAL DEBATE, VOTERS FIRST.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO DEBATES COORDINATED BY THE CITY CLUB OF CLEVELAND, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AND ONE OF THE OLDEST FREE-SPEECH FORMS IN THE U.S.

THE RULES FOR TONIGHT HAVE BEEN AGREED TO BY ALL THE CAMPAIGNS.

ADDITIONAL PARTNERS ARE THE PRESS CLUB OF CLEVELAND AND RELEASED OHIO SOLUTIONS JOURNALISM COLLABORATIVE, A PARTNERSHIP WITH TWO DOZEN MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING IDEASTREAM.

WE WELCOME THOSE WATCHING ON WVIZ, LISTENING ON WCPN, AND STREAMING LIVE.

AT THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER, WE PULLED THE COMMUNITY TO ASK YOU WHAT ISSUES ARE MOST IMPORTANT.

THOSE ARE THE ISSUES WE ARE STARTING WITH TONIGHT.

PUBLIC SAFETY, RACIAL EQUITY, HEALTH EQUITY, HOUSING, AND TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT.

NEXT WEEK, THE CANDIDATES WILL DEBATE ON JOBS AND THE ECONOMY, TRANSPORTATION, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

OUR QUESTIONS TONIGHT AND NEXT WEEK COME DIRECTLY FROM CITIZENS.

I MAY HAVE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS.

NONE OF THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN SHARED WITH THE CANDIDATES.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION, WHEN REBUTTALS ARE NEEDED, THE PERSON WILL RECEIVE 30 SECONDS.

NOT EVERY CANDIDATE WILL ANSWER EVERY QUESTION.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE SEVEN PEOPLE HERE.

ONE IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT MAYOR OF CLEVELAND.

STATE SENATOR SANDRA WILLIAMS.

KEVIN KELLY, COUNCIL PRESIDENT FROM WARD 13.

ATTORNEY ROSS DEVELOPED, NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE JUSTIN BIBB, FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER ZACH READ FROM WARD TWO, FORMER MAYOR AND U.S.

CONGRESSMAN DENNIS KUCINICH, COUNCILMAN BASHIR JONES OF WARD SEVEN.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL OFFER AN OPENING STATEMENT AND WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

IN BETWEEN, THEY WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

THE SPEAKING ORDER FOR OPENING AND CLOSING STATEMENTS WAS DETERMINED BY A RANDOM DRAW.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS EACH FOR BOTH THE OPENING AND THE CLOSING STATEMENT.

LET'S GET TO IT.

WE BEGIN WITH COUNCILMAN BASHIR JONES.

MR. JONES: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND TO EVERY PARTNER WHO HAS MADE THIS NIGHT POSSIBLE.

I LOVE THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE AT A SERIOUS CROSSROADS.

OVER 200 PEOPLE ARE LEAVING OUR CITY EVERY MONTH.

BUSINESSES ARE FOLLOWING AS WELL.

NOT ONLY THAT, WE ARE LIVING IN A CITY WHILE AT -- WHERE OUR CHILDREN DON'T SAY -- DON'T FEEL SAFE TO PLAY IN THE PARK.

MY GRANDMOTHER SAYS IF YOU DO THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS, THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY.

THE REALITY IS THAT THE CITY IS READY AND IN NEED OF NEW LEADERSHIP.

A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP.

AND NEW CHANGE.

THIS CITY IS NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR IT TO GROW, AND ORDER FOR US TO LOOK TOWARD OUR FUTURE, WE MUST ABSOLUTELY HAVE A LEADER THAT IS AUTHENTIC, COURAGEOUS, AND PERSISTENT, CONSISTENT, THAT PUTS RESIDENTS FIRST.

WE CANNOT BE SUCCESSFUL AS A CITY IF THE CONCERNS OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE NOT HEARD.

I'M EXCITED TO SPEAK ABOUT MY PLAN, ABOUT -- WE TAKE CLEVELAND TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

WE CANNOT MOVE FORWARD IF WE CONTINUE TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES OF THE PAST.

IT IS TIME FOR NEW LEADERSHIP.

RICK: THANK YOU.

NEXT UP, WE WILL HEAR FROM JUST ENDED.

MR. BIBB: THANK YOU TO THE CITY CLUB AND IDEASTREAM FOR HOSTING THIS IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.

MY NAME IS JUSTIN BIT.

I'M RUNNING FOR MAYOR BECAUSE I BELIEVE NOW IS THE TIME FOR BOWL DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP TO MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD.

I'M A SON OF A SOUTHEAST SIDE UNLIKE IN MANY FOLKS ON THE CITY, I HAVE.

IT'S OWN FAIR SHARE OF CHALLENGES.

I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO DO TO -- WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BURY A FAMILY MEMBER DUE TO CRIME.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SEE THE PAIN IN MY FAMILY WHEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT DID NOT WORK FOR US.

BUT IN THIS MOMENT RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THAT PAIN AND TURN THAT PAIN INTO PURPOSE TO BECOME THE BEST MIDSIZE CITY IN AMERICA.

WE CAN BE A MODEL FOR RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE.

WE CAN BE A MODEL TO SHOW THIS COUNTRY WHAT A TRANSPARENT AND MODERN CITY HALL CAN LOOK LIKE AND WE CAN BE A MODEL TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD IN OUR CITY CAN LIVE UP TO THEIR GOD-GIVEN POTENTIAL.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

RICK: THANK.

STATE SENATOR SANDRA WILLIAMS.

SEN. WILLIAMS: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME HERE TONIGHT.

MY NAME IS SANDRA WILLIAMS.

I'M HONORED TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

I WANT TO ALSO THANK THE PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND FOR ELECTING ME OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS TO SERVE AS THEIR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND STATE SENATOR.

I WANT TO POINT OUT THE FACT THAT I'M THE ONLY WOMAN IN THIS RACE FOR MAYOR.

I'VE SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY IN RESERVE.

I'VE SERVED AS -- IN THE FIELD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR OVER 10 AND A HALF YEARS AS A CORRECTIONS OFFICER, PROBATION OFFICER, PAROLE OFFICER AND MEDIATOR FOR THE STATE OF OHIO.

I'M QUALIFIED, I'VE BEEN TESTED AND I HAVE DELIVERED.

I SPONSORED THE BILL TO MAKE RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN THE STATE OF OHIO.

I JOINTLY SPONSORED THE BILL TO EXPAND AT A K TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FOR EVERY CLEVELAND OR IN THE STATE OF OHIO.

I'VE ALSO JUST RECENTLY BROUGHT HOME HALF $1 BILLION TO TEAR DOWN THE 4000 PLUS ABANDON HOMES IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

AND TO CLEAN UP THE VACANT AND BLIGHTED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY THAT IS IN OUR CITY.

ONCE THE PROPERTY IS CLEANED UP, WE WILL BRING JOBS TO THOSE PLACES AND WE WILL BRING MORE BUSINESSES HERE TO THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

I AM THE RIGHT LEADER FOR THE JOB IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY.

RICK: FORMER COUNCILMAN ZACH READ.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PUT THIS ON THIS EVENING.

I'M RUNNING FOR MAYOR FOR THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

AND TO THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

ONE THING HAS BEEN MISSING OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES HERE IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

THAT IS THE TO -- THE SENSE OF URGENCY.

THE SENSE OF URGENCY TO SOLVE THE REAL PROBLEMS, THE PRESSING PROBLEMS THAT ARE FACING THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

ISSUES SUCH AS CRIME, IS TO -- ISSUES SUCH AS PROPERTY, ISSUES SUCH AS THE LACK OF CITY SERVICES.

YOU NEED A MAYOR WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO SAY WHAT IS ON THEIR MIND.

YOU NEED A LAYER THAT HAS THE ABILITY, THE EXPERIENCE TO GO TO CITY HALL ON DAY ONE, ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES, AND CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY.

AND THAT IS ME.

ZACH REED, THE NEXT MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

RICK: THANK YOU.

CONGRESSMAN DENNIS KUCINICH.

MR. KUCINICH: THANKS, RICK.

PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND KNOW ME.

THEY KNOW THAT WHENEVER I GET INVOLVED IN SOMETHING, THAT I HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND UP, SPEAK OUT, AND CHANGE THE OUTCOME.

IT IS THAT CAN-DO SPIRIT WHICH CLEVELAND NEEDS RIGHT NOW TO LIFT UP OUT OF THE DOLDRUMS OF CRIME AND POVERTY.

AS A CAN-DO SPIRIT WHICH SAYS YES, WE CAN HAVE 400 NEW POLICE.

WE CAN HAVE 400 NEW SAFETY ASSISTANTS WHO ENTER CRISIS INTERVENTION.

WE CAN HAVE A CIVIC PEACE DEPARTMENT.

GUESS, WE CAN CUT UTILITY RATES, WATER RATES BY 10%.

CPD REP -- RESIDENTIAL RATE BY 10%.

SEWER RATES BY 10% HOW CAN I SAY THAT?

REMEMBER, PEOPLE SAID YOU CANNOT SAVE MUNI LIGHT.

WE DID IT YEARS AGO.

NOW WE HAVE CLEVELAND PUBLIC POWER.

OVER THE YEARS, SAVING PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RATES AND TAXES.

WE STILL HAVE A STEEL MILL AS A RESULT OF MY INVOLVEMENT WITH THIS COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE SO MANY SAMPLES WHERE WE PROVE IT, WITH A CAN-DO ATTITUDE.

YOU CAN CHANGE THE OUTCOME.

IF YOU ELECT ME AS YOUR MAYOR, YOU KNOW I WILL BE THERE FOR YOU.

THANK YOU.

RICK: THE NEXT OPENING STATEMENT FROM MR. ROSS TO BELLOW.

>> THANK YOU.

I LET -- MY FELLOW CLEVELANDERS, I LIVE IN WESTPARK WITH MY INCREDIBLE WIFE LAUREN AND OUR DOG NAMED BABY.

YOU PROBABLY HAVE NOT HEARD OF ME AND THAT IS ON PURPOSE.

LAST OCTOBER, I PUT OUT A PLATFORM THAT FIXES ON HOLD CITY HALL ACCOUNTABLE FOR CRIME, POVERTY, ALL OF OUR ISSUES.

THE PLATFORM WOULD SERVE US, NOT THE SUBURBS.

THE MAJOR MEDIA LOCAL OUTLETS IGNORED EVERY SINGLE PRESS RELEASE I SENT.

I HAD TO MAKE A CHOICE AS VACCINES ROLLED OUT, DO I TRY TO GET THIS PLATFORM THAT HAS TERM LIMITS AND A NUMBER OF COMMON SENSE THINGS HAUNTED ONTO THE BALLOT?

WESTPARK KNOWS WHAT I DID.

WITH MY WIFE'S SUPPORT, AND WHILE KEEPING MY 40 HOUR A WEEK JOB, I WENT OUT AND MET THOUSANDS OF CLEVELANDERS AND TALK TO THEM.

I GOT A HISTORIC 4000 SIGNATURES FROM PEOPLE WHO WANTED THIS PLATFORM AND THAT TYPE OF ENERGY ON THE BALLOT.

CHECK IT OUT.

BECAUSE IT BELONGS TO YOU NOW.

IT HELPS ALL OF US, NO MATTER YOUR SIDE OF TOWN, YOUR AGE, RACE, OR GENDER.

A GIVES US CONTROL OF OUR TAXES AND OUR DIRECTION.

I WILL BRING THIS NEW ENERGY AND SERVICE TO CITY HALL.

THANK YOU.

RICK: THANK YOU P THE FINAL OPENING STATEMENT FROM KEVIN KELLY.

MR. KELLY: YOU, RICK.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED.

MY NAME IS KEVIN KELLY.

I'M THE -- I'M ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

I'M THE FATHER OF FIVE DAUGHTERS AND EVERYTHING I DO IS THROUGH THAT LENS.

THAT IS THE VALUES AND THAT IS WHAT GROUNDS ME AND THAT IS WHY I THINK GOVERNMENT IS SO IMPORTANT, THAT IS WHY I BELIEVE IN THE FUTURE OF THE CITY.

TONIGHT, WE WILL HEAR A LOT ABOUT THE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES THAT FACE US.

I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH ALL OF THESE CHALLENGES BECAUSE I LIVE IT EVERY DAY.

I EXPERIENCE IT EVERY DAY.

I WORK ON IT EVERYDAY.

I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE, I'M ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT OUR BEST DAYS LIE AHEAD OF US.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE THOUGHTFUL EXPERIENCED VISIONARY LEADERSHIP TO GET US FROM WHERE WE ARE NOW TO THE CLEVELAND THAT CAN BE.

THAT IS WHAT I WILL BRING TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

CLEVELAND IS IN A TOUGH SPOT RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE COMING OUT OF OUR SECOND RECESSION IN 10 YEARS.

VIOLENT CRIME HAS SPIKED.

THIS SO-CALLED RECESSION IS NOT BRINGING EVERYBODY WITH US.

WE ARE LEAVING TOO MANY PB BEHIND -- MANY PEOPLE BEHIND.

THERE IS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

WHEN I MAYOR, I'M GOING TO BUILD A CLEVELAND, WE WILL HAVE A RECOVERY THAT INCLUDES ALL PEOPLE IN ALL NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE WILL INVEST IN CLEVELAND AND CLEVELANDERS.

CLEVELANDERS DO NOT GIVE UP WHEN TIME IS TOUGH.

WE'RE GOING TO INVEST FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE SO THAT WE CAN BUILD A GREATER CLEVELAND FOR EVERY CITIZEN IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD AND OUR GREAT CITY.

RICK: THANK YOU, MR. KELLY.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE AND PARTICIPATING IN THIS DEBATE.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH QUESTIONS FROM YOU SUBMITTED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, FOLLOWING THE QUESTION I WILL ASKED SEVERAL OF THE CANDIDATES FOR ANSWERS BEFORE MOVING ONTO THE NEXT QUESTION.

WE ARE BEGINNING WITH THE CATEGORY OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

CANDIDATES IN THIS CASE, ALL OF YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO ANSWER THESE.

THE FIRST QUESTION COMES FROM TESSA SCHWAN.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE ARE A LOT -- ARMED LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD BE RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS INCIDENTS IN THE CITY OF WOODLAND?

RICK: SENATOR, YOU MENTION HAVING A BACKGROUND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I WILL GO TO YOU FIRST.

SEN. WILLIAMS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

AS A PAROLE OFFICER, I USED TO GO OUT TO HOMES BY MYSELF ON A REGULAR BASIS AND I WOULD FIND THAT THE SITUATION BUT I WAS CALLED OUT THEREFORE BY MY PAROLE LEAVE WAS ACTUALLY NOT SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO BE HANDLED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

I DEFINITELY THINK THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS NEED TO BE IN THE BACKGROUND AND WE NEED TO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS AS WELL AS ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION COUNSELORS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHEN THEY GO OUT.

THAT IS PART OF MY PLAN.

RIGHT NOW, THAT HAPPENS IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND FROM CERTAIN HOURS OF THE DAY.

NOT EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK, AND NOT EVERY HOUR OF THE DAY.

I BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE A DUAL APPROACH.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD BE IN THE BACKGROUND.

CAN THE EXPERTS THAT HANDLE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES SHOULD BE THE ONES ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE.

PAT WILL STOP SO MANY PEOPLE FROM BEING ARRESTED NEEDLESSLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION.

THANK YOU.

RICK: THANK YOU.

COUNCILMAN KELLY.

MR. KELLY: THANK YOU.

WHEN THERE IS A CALL FOR SERVICE FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMERS, THAT CALL FOR SERVICE, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE.

IT CAN BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

THE POLICE NEED TO BE INVOLVED.

THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND I AM A FORMER SOCIAL WORKER, I WORKED IN COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH FOR OVER 15 YEARS, AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE CALLS FOR SERVICE ARE, THE VOLATILITY THAT IS THEIR PEER THE POLICE NEED TO BE THE FIRST RESPONDERS.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT HAS TO BE OUR LAST INTERACTION.

MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CAN ACCOMPANY THE POLICE.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE FIRST ON SCENE.

IT IS BECOMING TOO EASY TO SAY WE WILL PUT SOCIAL WORKERS ON CALL FOR SERVICE.

THE POLICE ARE TRAINED TO HANDLE VOLATILE SITUATIONS.

MENTAL PROFESSIONALS CAN SUPPORT THAT.

IT WOULD BE -- IT IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS SAYING WE CAN MAKE DETERMINATIONS OF WHO SHOULD BE RESPONDING TO WHAT CALLS.

EVERYBODY IN THAT EQUATION, FROM THE POLICE, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLVE THAT.

RICK: THANK YOU.

MR. BIBB?

MR. BIBB: THIS IS PERSONAL FOR ME.

FIVE YEARS AGO, I LOST MY COUSIN, CHRIS, WHO WAS BRUTALLY CHOKED TO DEATH BY HIS PARTNER WHO SUFFERED A MENTAL HEALTH EPISODE.

IT TOOK NEARLY 40 MINUTES FOR EMS TO SHOW UP.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN ACROSS THIS COUNTRY ARE CITIES DOING THE HARD WORK OF RETHINKING WHAT POLICING SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

I BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE A CO-RESPONDER MODEL AND ALL OF OUR FIVE POLICE DISTRICTS.

IN CLEVELAND, IN 2016, WE DID AN 18 MONTH PILOT, AND WE HAVE SHOWN THAT NEARLY 37% OF THE 911 CALLS DID NOT MORE INTO AN ARMED RESPONSE FROM POLICE.

IT IS EASY AND PRACTICAL.

WE SHOULD FOLLOW WHAT DENVER HAS DONE AND EXECUTE A CO-RESPONDER MODEL AND OUR FIVE POLICE DISTRICTS.

AS MAYOR, I WANT TO ADD A FOURTH OPTION RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH BECAUSE WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY LENS AND MODEL TO SOLVE THE ROOT CAUSE OF VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA.

RICK: THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM SAM PIERCE FROM COLUMN WOULD.

>> I DON'T FEEL SAFE CALLING THE POLICE FOR ANYTHING.

I FEAR THAT WHEN I CALL THE POLICE, FIRST SAYING NOISE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR WHATEVER, THAT I ACTUALLY PUT MY NEIGHBORS IN DANGER BY CALLING THE POLICE.

THAT THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE THAT CAUSES THE DEATH OF ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU COME AS MAYOR, WILL DO TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE ME FEEL SAFE AGAIN AND RELY ON THOSE THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE SERVING ME.

RICK: AN EMOTIONAL QUESTION.

MR. JONES.

MR. JONES: THAT REALLY TOUCHES ME.

THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

WE HAVE TO BECOME A CITY WHERE WE ARE FOCUSED MORE ON REHABILITATION INSTEAD OF INCARCERATION.

AS MAYOR, I WANT TO CREATE A MOBILE CRISIS UNIT THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT OVER 70% OF PHONE CALLS ARE TO MASTIC ISSUES.

WE HAVE TO KNOW THAT COPS ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO SHOULD BE SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS.

MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

BUT AS MAYOR, I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT ADDING MORE COPS MAY NOT BE THE SOLUTION.

AND INEFFECTIVE SPENDING MAY NOT BE THE SOLUTION.

WE SEE THAT WE HAVE A GENERAL BUDGET OF $335 MILLION.

WE HAVE ADDED MONEY TO THIS EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

YET THE CITY OF CLEVELAND HAS THREE TIMES THE NATIONAL CRIME STATISTICS.

MORE MONEY IS NOT GOING TO BE THE SOLUTION.

COMMUNITY POLICING, WORKING WITH THE POLICE.

I WANT TO SAY THIS IS IMPORTANT DOES WELL.

POWER OFFICERS PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE SHOULD NOT CRIMINALIZE GREAT OFFICERS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT OFFICERS COME TO WORK EVERY DAY TO DO A GREAT JOB.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT TO DO THEIR JOB PROPERLY, ALONG WITH MAKING MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS ARE WITH THEM.

RICK: THANK YOU.

MR. REED.

MR. REED: FIRST ABOUT, YOU SHOULD FEEL SAFE CALLING THE POLICE.

SECOND OF ALL, I'M THE ONLY ONE ON THIS STAGE THAT HAS PUT OUT ON THEIR WEBSITE FOR THE PUBLIC TO VIEW A 10 POINT SAFETY PLAN.

A 10 POINT SAFETY PLAN THAT EVEN THE PLAIN DEALER IN THE EDITORIAL THIS WEEKEND SAID ZACHARY HAS IT RIGHT.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE CALLING POLICE, THAT IS REACTIVE.

WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, YOUNG LADY, WE NEED A POLICE FORCE THAT IS GOING TO BE PROACTIVE.

THAT IS THE REASON I'VE SAID THAT WE'VE GOT TO START LOOKING AT PUBLIC SAFETY FROM A DIFFERENT LENS.

LET'S STOP LOOKING IN FROM A CRIMINAL JUSTICE LENS, AND LET'S LOOKING AT IT FOR WHAT IT IS.

WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT IT FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH LENS.

IF WE ARE DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH LENS, WE ARE PUTTING OUT VIOLENT INTERRUPTERS, FORMERLY INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE WALKING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WALKING HER COMMUNITY, AND TALKING TO YOU, SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO CALL THE POLICE ON EVERY SINGLE CALL.

GO TO MY WEBSITE AND LOOK AT THE 10 POINT PLAN THAT THE PLAIN DEALER AGREES WITH.

MR. DIBELLO: THIS IS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY.

ZACH IS LARGELY RIGHT.

MOST OF OUR OFFICERS ARE GREAT.

BUT I'M SUPPORTING THE CITIZENS FOR SAFER CLE AMENDMENT TO MAKE THE CHARTER PERMANENT.

WE NEED A CHANGE IN CULTURE.

THESE INCIDENTS ARE TEARING APART THE FABRIC AND NOT JUST OF CLEVELAND, BUT OF THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO DO A CO-RESPONDER MODEL, HIRE MORE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL WORKERS, CODE ENFORCEMENT.

IF YOU KNOW YOU ARE CALLING FOR SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DEALT WITH BY A CODE ENFORCER, THEN YOU WILL FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE CALLING.

THIS GETS TOWARD WALKING THE BEAT, DOING VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION, GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL OFFICER AS THOUGH YOU WOULD YOUR MAIL PERSON.

IN THE END, ACCOUNTABILITY IS THE ONLY THING THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD 5, 10 YEARS FROM NOW.

RICK: OUR THIRD QUESTION INTO THE CATEGORY OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMES FROM CHRIS MARTIN OF OHIO CITY.

>> CLEVELAND HAS MORE COSTS PER RESIDENT SPEND 93% OF CITIES.

EVERY RESIDENT OF CLEVELAND PAYS $838 FOR COPS EVERY YEAR.

WE HAVE SPENT ABOUT $6,700 PER PERSON OVER THE LAST DECADE ON POLICE MISCONDUCT SETTLEMENTS.

WHY DO YOU THINK MORE COPS IS THE ANSWER?

RICK: WHY DO YOU THINK MORE COPS IS THE?

ANSWER?

MR. KUCINICH: THAT IS A CENTRAL PART OF MY CAMPAIGN.

I SAY THAT IN A FACE OF SIEGE OF CRIME AFFECTING SO MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, HAVE DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS THAT ARE TERRORIZING COMMUNITIES, OF GANGS THAT RIDE WILD FROM EASTSIDE TO WESTSIDE ON DIRT BIKES AND ATN'S SHOOTING GUNS OFF.

PEOPLE WANT TO BE PROTECTED, AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TAX DOLLARS ARE ALREADY PAYING GOING TO THEIR SAFETY.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH POLICE.

I'VE TALKED TO POLICE.

THEY ARE STRETCHED RIGHT NOW.

WE NEED MORE PEOPLE WHO CAN BE INVOLVED, BUT THEY NEED TO BE BETTER TRAINED.

THEY NEED TO BE RACIALLY SENSITIVE, TO ANSWER THE QUESTION FROM THE WOMAN.

.

BEFORE.

THEY NEED TO BE TRAINING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

THEY NEED TO BE BETTER EDUCATED GENERALLY.

WE NEED MORE POLICE TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT HOMICIDES.

WE NEED PEOPLE ON THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION UNIT TO KEEP TRACK OF THE CRIMES THAT HAVE BEEN COMMITTED AND HUNT DOWN THOSE CRIMINALS.

CLEVELAND IS ONE OF THE MOST VIOLENT CITIES IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW.

TILL WE ARE ABLE TO ASSURE PEOPLE THAT THE PUBLIC SAFETY OF CLEVELAND CAN BE THE FIRST PARTY OF GOVERNMENT, PEOPLE WILL NOT HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN'T PROTECT THEM.

RICK: MR. KELLY, 30 SECONDS.

MR. KELLY: THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS TOO IMPORTANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

YOU CANNOT THROW OUT A NUMBER WITHOUT ANY METHOD OF GETTING THERE.

IT IS EERILY SIMILAR IF YOU LOOK BACK TO 1977, YOU ARE PROMOTING 400 OFFICERS NOW.

IN 1977, YOU PROMISED 200.

BY AUGUST 31, WE WERE DOWN 138, HOMICIDES WERE UP 27%, FIREFIGHTERS WERE DOWN 120, AND THE POLICE WENT ON STRIKE.

WE HAVE TO BE REAL ABOUT THIS.

DECANT POLITIC ON THIS ISSUE.

THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE TO SUCCEED ON THIS.

RICK: QUICKLY.

MR. KUCINICH: YOU HAVE BEEN THE CO-MAYOR FOR SEVEN YEARS AND YOU HAVE LET THE POLICE DEPARTMENT GO DOWN.

THE REASON WHY WE HAVE SO FEWER POLICE NOW IS DIRECTLY BECAUSE YOU, AS CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT, HAVING STEPPED IN AND DEMANDED MORE POLICE.

EVERYONE KNOWS THAT WHEN I WAS MAYOR, I TOOK ON THE BANKS AND THE BANKS PUNISHED THE CITY FOR ME NOT SELLING MUNI LIGHT.

YOU CANNOT COMPARE WHAT HAPPENED IN 77 TO WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

RICK: THANK YOU.

LET'S CONTINUE.

THANK YOU.

SENATOR, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.

THE ORIGINAL QUESTION.

DO YOU THINK WE NEED MORE COPS AND WHY?

SEN. WILLIAMS: WHEN I'M WALKING AND KNOCKING ON THE DOORS TALKING TO VOTERS ABOUT THE SELECTION, I CAN TELL YOU 99% OF THE TIME WHEN I'M TALKING TO A RESIDENT, THE FIRST QUESTION IS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THE VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY?

WE ARE TIRED OF THE VIOLENCE BEING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND PEOPLE ARE ALSO SAYING WHEN THEY DO CALL THE POLICE, MOST OF THE TIME, THEY DON'T SHOW UP.

THAT IS WHY THERE ARE SO MANY RESIDENTS RIGHT NOW WHO ARE GOING OUT TO GET THEIR CCW LICENSE BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.

I THINK YES, WE DO NEED MORE TRAINED POLICE OFFICERS ON OUR STREETS, WORKING TO REDUCE THE VIOLENT CRIME THAT WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT AS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, I NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO TRY TO CLOSE THE GUN LOOPHOLES WE HAVE IN THIS EIGHT -- STATE OF OHIO, GET GUNS OFF THE STREETS, CONTINUE TO GET MY RED FLAG LEGISLATION PASSED THAT WILL TAKE GUNS AWAY FROM THOSE PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

JUST TO ANSWER THE QUESTION TO THE LADY BEFORE IT WAS THERE, FIRST OF ALL, FOR ME, SENSITIVITY TRAINING IS IMPORTANT.

CULTURAL COMPETENCY -- COMPETENCY TRAINING IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND MAKING SURE THAT THE POLICE FORCE LOOKS LIKE THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

CAR TOO LONG WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE, ESPECIALLY TO BE IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE AND THAT IS ONE WAY WE CAN HELP MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SAFER AND REDUCE VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE CAN GET ON WITH EDUCATION AND JOBS THAT WILL ALSO HELP US WITH VIOLENT CRIME.

RICK: THANK YOU ALL FOR THE GIVE-AND-TAKE.

WE INTEND TO HAVE MORE.

WE WILL TRY TO HUSTLE THROUGH BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF SUBJECTS.

WE WILL ALLOW MORE OF THAT.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO RACIAL EQUITY.

THE FIRST QUESTION IN THE CATEGORY COMES FROM ROY HOME OF ASIA TOWN.

>> IF YOU ARE ELECTED MAYOR, WHAT WILL YOU DO TO ENSURE THAT THE ISSUE IN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IS REPRESENTED IN YOUR ADMINISTRATION?

AND WHAT WILL YOU DO TO ENSURE THE AAP I COMMUNITY IS PROTECTED FROM ANTI-ASIAN HATE CRIMES AND DISCRIMINATION?

RICK: MR. KELLY, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

MR. KELLY: THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO LIGHT.

I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS IN TERMS OF WHAT WILL WE DO IN THE ADMINISTRATION, THAT IS A MATTER OF HIRING A STAFF, A CABINET THAT LOOKS LIKE THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

I'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING ON INSTITUTING BYSTANDER TRAINING.

IT WILL BE MANDATORY FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND TO HAVE BYSTANDER TRAINING.

I'VE BEEN TALKING TO OUR DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES OF HOW WE CAN GET THAT UP AND RUNNING.

THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE CAN DO IMMEDIATELY TO SHOW THIS COMMUNITY THAT THEY ARE A VALUED MEMBER OF THE CLEVELAND COMMUNITY.

RICK: THANK YOU.

MR. BIBB.

MR. BIBB: IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO GROUND THIS CONFIRM -- THIS CONVERSATION IN FACT.

IT IS GREAT CLEVELAND HAS ANNOUNCED THAT RACISM IS INDEED A PUBLIC OF CRISIS.

WE HAVE TO MOVE TO ACTION.

AS MAYOR, I'M GOING TO HIRE A CHIEF RACIAL EQUITY OFFICER IN MY ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE SURE EVERY DECISION WE MAKE INSIDE CITY HALL IS VIEWED THROUGH A RACIAL EQUITY LINES.

SECONDLY, I'M GOING TO REQUIRE NOT ONLY MY CABINET, BUT EVERY EMPLOYEE INCLUDING FRONTLINE CITY EMPLOYEES TO UNDERGO RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION TRAINING.

MANY OF OUR LEADERS ACROSS THIS REGION HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT TRAINING.

THAT WILL BE A GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE INSIDE MY ADMINISTRATION TO UNDERSTAND THE ROOT CAUSES OF RACISM.

THIS IS ABOUT REPRESENTATION AND HIRING.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M GROUNDING MY POLICYMAKING AS THE NEXT MAYOR INTO THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF OUR RESIDENTS.

I INTEND TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN MY CABINET AND ARE GETTING LEADERSHIP POSITIONS ACROSS MY ADMINISTRATION.

RICK: THANK YOU.

MR. DIBELLO: ONE OF THE FIRST PLANKS ON MY PLATFORM IS TO BRING BACK UNFETTERED, -- PUBLIC COMMENT WHILE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

MANY PEOPLE OF ANY CULTURES AND MANY NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT HEARD RIGHT NOW ARE REPRESENTED.

WE HAVE HAD MANY DISCRIMINATION CASES AGAINST ALL ETHNICITIES AND ORIGINS AND ORIGINS IN OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

IF WE HEAR GREATER CLEVELAND OCA, ALL API ADVOCACY GROUPS, IF WE LET YOU TALK TO US AND TELL US, DO WE NEED TO HIRE CABINET POSITIONS?

DO WE NEED TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE WHO SPEAK THIS LANGUAGE OR THAT DIALECT?

WE WILL BE JUST FINE.

WE WILL WORK WITH HR.

WE WILL START HIRING WHERE WE NEED TO HIRE.

WE DO NEED CULTURAL SENSITIVITY TRAINING IN ALL OF OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS.

ONGOING.

BIAS TRAINING.

THAT WOULD BE THE WORK WE DO.

RICK: THANK YOU.

MR. REED.

MR. REED: IT IS ALL WELL AND GOOD TO SAY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN YOUR CABINET, OR WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO DO.

IF I LOOK UP ON THE STAGE, I THINK THERE ARE ONLY THREE OF US WITH THE ASIAN COMMUNITY DOING THEIR MOST PERILOUS -- THAT IS WHAT A MAYOR SHOULD BE DOING.

TELLING PEOPLE YOU ARE GOING TO PUT THEM IN YOUR CABINET, THAT'S EASY.

TELLING PEOPLE WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO DO WITH POLICY, THAT'S EASY.

THE HARDEST THING IS SHOWING IT.

EVERYONE KNOWS ONE THING ABOUT MYSELF.

THEY KNOW I'M TRANSPARENT.

THEY KNOW I'M OUT THERE ON THE FRONTLINE.

THAT IS WHAT THAT MAN WANTS TO KNOW.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHEN AN ISSUE IS FACING HIS COMMUNITY, WILL THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND GO OUT THERE ON THAT FRONT LINE?

AS I LOOK ON THE STAGE, I CAN LITERALLY LOOK AT ONLY TWO OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE OUT THERE WITH THE ASIAN COMMUNITY ON A RAINY, COLD DAY, ON A SUNDAY, OUT THERE WITH THAT ASIAN COMMUNITY, AND THAT IS WHAT THAT MAN WANTS TO KNOW.

RICK: I THINK A SHOW OF HANDS, WHO WAS THERE?

MORE THAN THREE.

THANK YOU.

SEN. WILLIAMS: CAN I SAY SOMETHING?

FIRST OF ALL, IF THE MAYOR IS GO INTO ISSUE WITH THE D -- WITH THE ISSUE OF HATE IN OUR COMMUNITY, IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EVERY TIME A CAMERA SHOWS UP.

MANY OTHER PEOPLE ON THIS STAGE IT SHOWS UP ON A CAMERA SHOWS UP.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR THE LAST 15 PLUS YEARS.

IF YOU ADD THE REST OF MY TIME, 30 YEARS, DEALING WITH ISSUES OF HATE AND CRIME FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

I'M NOT THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT ONLY SHOWS UP WHEN I'M GOING TO GET A SOUNDBITE ON A CAMERA.

IT IS NOT WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR.

PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU TO SOLVE ISSUES.

YOU CAN STAND UP AND SAY WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SAY ALL DAY LONG.

IF YOU DON'T PUT ACTION BEHIND THOSE WORDS, YOU ARE REALLY NOT DOING ANYTHING.

WHAT THE CITY NEEDS IS A MAYOR WHO WAS GOING TO STAND UP AND SAY HATE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, NOT ON MY WATCH.

AND ENFORCE IT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THIS LACKS A DAISY TRAINING THAT WE ARE HAVING ON A REGULAR BASIS WITH PEOPLE SAYING, WE ARE MAKING SURE YOU ARE CULTURALLY COMPETENT AND GIVE YOU AN HOUR TRAINING, THAT WILL NOT WORK.

WE HAVE HAD HATE IN OUR COUNTRY SINCE BEFORE THE 1600S.

WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THOSE SAME RACIST POLICIES FOR THE LONGEST TIME.

JUST THIS YEAR, SINCE THE PANDEMIC HAPPENED, THAT IS NOT WHEN ASIAN PEOPLE FIRST STARTED FACING HATE.

RICK: GOING TO STOP YOU HERE.

SEN. WILLIAMS: I AM THE PERSON TO DEAL WITH IT.

RICK: GOING TO GIVE THE PREROGATIVE TO SPEAK.

TO WATCH YOUR 30 SECONDS.

>> WANT TO MAKE THIS KNOWN.

YOU DON'T NEED TO SPEND YOUR ENTIRE CAREER AS A CAREER POLITICIAN TO FIGHT FOR THESE ISSUES, FROM THE STREETS TO THE SWEETS, I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR DIVERSITY.

I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR EQUITY.

I'VE BEEN FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE CLEVELAND CAN BE A GREAT CITY.

AND I'VE DONE THIS IN MY CAREER AS AN EXECUTIVE AND ACTIVISTS AND AS A CIVIC LEADER IN THIS COMMUNITY.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS IS THE KIND OF STATUS QUO THINKING AND PERSPECTIVE AND LEADERSHIP THAT THE RESIDENTS OF CLEVELAND ARE SICK AND TIRED OF SEEING.

IT IS THAT EXPERIENCE THAT HAS GOTTEN TO THIS POINT.

RICK: THANK YOU.

MR. JONES.

MR. JONES: IF YOU WERE TO ASK THE ASIAN COMMUNITY WHO STOOD WITH THEM, AS YOU KNOW, I AS A COUNCILMAN REPRESENT THE LARGEST ASIAN POPULATION IN THE CITY.

NOT ONLY DID I INTRODUCE LEGISLATION, NOT ONLY WAS I AT THE MARCH IN SPOKE, BUT I ALSO SUPPORTED THE ASIAN BUSINESSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE DID A MAJOR CASH MY FOR AN AMAZING RESTAURANT THERE AND HELP SUPPORT IT BECAUSE SHE WAS RECEIVING THE SUPPORT.

-- BECAUSE SHE WAS RECEIVING HATEFUL CALLS.

WHAT I PLAN TO DO IS RACIAL INEQUITY IS SOLVED BY MAKING SURE THAT EVERY GROUP HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

AS MAYOR, WE WILL DO MORE BUSINESS WITH EVERY MINORITY.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE BUSINESS, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IS A THING THAT WILL DESTROY RACIAL INEQUITY.

RICK: BORROWING MOVE ON, MR. KUCINICH, LAST WORD.

MR. KUCINICH: 20 YEARS AGO IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, I'VE BROUGHT FORTH AN IDEA TO CREATE A CABINET LEVEL DEPARTMENT OF PEACE, SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THESE ISSUES WHEREVER THERE IS VIOLENCE OR HATE.

THOSE ARE OFTEN RESPONSES THAT WE NEED TO CHANGE.

WE CAN ACTUALLY USE CLEVELAND AS A PLACE THAT CAN SHOW THE WHOLE COUNTRY THAT WE CAN BE A MORE PEACEFUL CITY, A SAFER CITY.

AS FAR AS THE QUESTIONS OF EQUITY, WE NEED JOB EQUITY, FINANCIAL EQUITY, AND SAFETY EQUITY FOR PEOPLE OF ALL RACE, COLOR, INCREASE.

RICK: THANK YOU.

WE ARE GOING TO STICK WITH RACIAL EQUITY ISSUE.

IT DOES OBVIOUSLY HAVE INTEREST HERE ON THE PANEL.

A QUESTION THAT CAME TO US FREQUENTLY IN OUR SURVEY, BUT NOT THIS EARLY FROM ONE PERSON ON TAPE.

WE HAVE COMBINED THIS.

WITH THE RACIAL DIVIDE IN CLEVELAND, THE NEW AWARENESS AND DISCRIMINATION AND INEQUITIES AFTER THE GEORGE FLOYD MURDER, THE DIVIDE IN HOUSING AND MANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO SOLVE THE AGE-OLD RACIAL TENSION THAT PERMEATES THE CITY?

MR. REED?

MR. REED: ATTACKING NEED IS NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

LET ME BE CLEAR.

ATTACKING ME DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

THERE IS A SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE.

SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ME GOING OUT ON THAT FRONT LINE AND DOING WHAT I DO, BECAUSE I LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT QUESTION, AND WHAT I'M GOING TO DO, I'M GOING TO DO WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING WHEN I WAS A COUNCILMAN FOR 17 YEARS AND GOT ELECTED FOUR TIMES.

WHEN MISS JONES CALLED ME ON THE PHONE, I WENT AND TALKED TO HER ON HER FRONT PORCH.

WHEN MR. SMITH NEEDED HELP ON HISTORY, I WENT AND TALKED TO HIM ON HIS BACK PORCH.

SO, WE CAN CONTINUE TO SAY AND CONTINUE TO TRY TO ATTACK ME.

AND WHAT I'VE DONE.

BUT MY RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

IN THE PEOPLE IN MOUNT PLEASANT AND UNION MILES AND MILL CREEK, THEY SPOKE ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND SEND THE BEST PERSON TO BE THE COUNCILPERSON IN THIS WARD IS ZACK REED.

THAT IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.

IT IS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND BEING OUT THERE ON THE FRONT LINE WITH THE PEOPLE AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

RICK: THANK YOU.

SEN. WILLIAMS: FIRST OF ALL, I WAS NOT POINTING OUT ANY PARTICULAR CANDIDATE ON THIS PARTICULAR STAGE.

BUT IF A HIT DOG COLLARS, EVIDENTLY IT MEANS SOMETHING.

JUST LIKE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, WE HAVE OUR OWN WAY OF HANDLING THE BUSINESS FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

TIME ON THE FRONT LINE AS WELL.

I'VE BEEN THERE SINCE I HAVE BEEN A CORRECTIONS OFFICER AND PAROLE OFFICER.

I DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO BE AT A RALLY.

I'M IN THE HOMES OF RESIDENTS.

THEY ARE CALLING ME ON MY CELL PHONE.

THEY ARE CALLING ME ON MY HOME PHONE.

THEY ARE CALLING MY OFFICE TO GET ISSUES ADDRESSED BECAUSE THEY ARE TIRED OF LIPSERVICE.

WHOEVER FEELS HEARD BY MY STATEMENT, THAT WAS NOT WHAT I MEANT TO BE.

I'M CALLING IT LIKE I SEE IT.

I'M THE ONE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

RICK: THANK YOU.

WE WILL GO BACK TO THE FULL ONE MINUTE QUESTION WITH MR. KUCINICH.

MR. KUCINICH: WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RACIAL EQUITY, WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT JOB EQUITY.

AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, HALF OF MY KEY APPOINTMENTS WENT TO PEOPLE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT FINANCIAL EQUITY.

LOOK AT HOW THE BANKS HAVE REDLINED THE CITY.

THERE ARE CITY LABOR -- NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE PEOPLE CAN'T GET A LOAN ON THEIR PROPERTY.

EVEN THOUGH THEIR PROPERTY IS IN GOOD SHAPE.

WE KNOW WHAT THE BANKS DID.

THEY EXPLOITED PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY ON THE EASTSIDE, PANELING LOANS OF PEOPLE WHO ENDED UP LOSING THEIR HOMES BECAUSE OF THE BANKS INVOLVEMENT.

AS MAYOR, REMEMBER, I WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE THAT WENT AFTER THESE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE SUBPRIME MELTDOWN.

.

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO.

I'M GOING TO INSIST THE BANKS STOP ANY REDLINING PRACTICES, LOAN MONEY INTO COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY ARE MAKING MONEY, AND MAKE SURE THAT THE RESOURCES OF THIS COMMUNITY GO TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE HERE THAT IS A QUESTION OF RACIAL EQUITY RIGHT NOW.

IT IS ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

AS MAYOR, I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO MAKE SURE WE GET MONEY INTO COMMUNITIES THAT NEEDED THANK YOU.

RICK: MR. JONES.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO SOLVE THE AGE-OLD RACIAL TENSION?

MR. JONES: TO THE RESIDENCE, I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED, THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THE SAME THING FOR A LONG TIME THE WRONG WAY.

THE FACT IS THAT THE CITY OF CLEVELAND NEEDS TO GO INTO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

WE MUST.

.

WE HAVE TO STOP PLAYING TO THE FEARS OF PEOPLE.

WE ARE NOT AN EASTSIDE AND WESTSIDE.

WE ARE ONE CLEVELAND.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO SHOW.

WE HAVE TO BRING THE CITY SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.

RIGHT NOW, THERE IS PART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT BELIEVES ONE SIDE IS GETTING MORE.

NO.

YOU HAVE TO BRING THE SERVICES TO CAMS CORNER AND THE CORNER.

AS MAYOR, I WANT TO PUSH FOR EQUITY, NOT JUST IN WORDS, BUT IN ACTION AND HOW WE DO BUSINESS, DIVERSITY, WITHIN SIDE -- WITHIN INSIDE CITY HALL, WITHIN SIDE ARE CITY, YOU ALSO HAVE RACIAL EQUITY WITHIN THEIR POSITIONING.

THEY CAN'T JUST BE WORDS.

BEING ON THE FRONT LINE, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

WE CAN BE ON THE FRONT LINE AND BEHIND AS LONG AS WE ARE THERE FOR ALL PEOPLE.

WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER.

THAT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN MOVE THIS CITY FORWARD.

RICK: WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO RACIAL EQUITY, TO HEALTH EQUITY.

THE FIRST QUESTION COMES FROM A PERSON FROM DETROIT.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF A SUIT APARTHEID IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND?

RICK: SHE REFERRED TO FOOD APARTHEID, POLITICAL STRUCTURES THAT IMPACT FOOD ACCESS AND CONTROL.

THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN THE MORE COMMONLY HEARD FOOD DESERTS WE'VE HEARD ABOUT FOR 30 YEARS.

THERE IS AN INFERRED INTENTIONALITY.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW PLANS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF FOOD APARTHEID.

MR. DIBELLO: WELL, I THINK THIS GETS TO POVERTY AND ACCOUNTING FOR EVERY PENNY OF OUR TAX DOLLARS AND HOW WE DIVVY UP THAT MONEY.

THE IMMEDIATE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS DEVOTE SOME OF THIS 510 MILLION DOLLAR -- $510 MILLION MONEY TO GET PEOPLE TO BE THE ONES WHO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

COMMUNITY GARDENS, CSA'S, GROCERY STORES, BUT IT HAS GOT TO BE A FISCAL PRIORITY.

SO THAT WOULD START IN JANUARY.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH OF THAT MONEY WILL BE LEFT AT THAT TIME.

I THINK THE SECOND HALF OF IT IS TO BE USED DOWN THE ROAD.

BUT THIS WOULD BE TOWARD GIVING GRANTS TO PEOPLE WHO WILL CREATE FURTHER NEIGHBORS ON THEIR STREET.

RICK: COUNCIL PRESIDENT KELLY.

MR. KELLY: THANK YOU.

VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR.

WHEN I MAYOR, YOUR HEALTH OUTCOMES AND LIFE EXPECTANCY WILL NOT BE DETERMINED BY YOUR ZIP CODE.

AS IT GETS TO FOOD INSECURITY, WE ARE NOT ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HEALTH EQUITY.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS I REPRESENT, OLD BROOKLYN, WE TOOK THE STEP OF MAKING PUBLIC HEALTH A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ISSUE.

OUTSIDE OF BRICKS AND MORTAR, OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

STARTED WITH THE COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT, AND THE QUESTIONS WE ASKED FOR NOT WHEN DID YOU SEE THE DOCTOR LAST?

WHAT IS YOUR HEALTH PLAN?

THE QUESTIONS WE ASKED OUR, DO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD?

DO YOU LIVE WITHIN A 10 MINUTE WALK OF A PARK?

DO YOU FEEL SAFE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

DO YOU HAVE A JOB?

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS?

THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE USE TO BUILD COMMUNITY PROJECTS.

THAT IS WHAT LED TO THE OLD BROOKLYN FARMERS MARKET.

WE WERE SURPRISED TO FIND THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES ON SNAP IN OLD BROOKLYN.

BUT WE RESPONDED.

WE RESPONDED BECAUSE OF THE OUTREACH.

WE REALIZED WE DID HAVE A FOOD SECURITY INTEREST -- ISSUE.

WE RESPONDED WITH A FARMERS MARKET EVERY SATURDAY.

THESE ARE THE TYPES OF STEPS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ADDRESSING HEALTH EQUITIES AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PROBLEM, AND NOT LOOKING FOR QUICK ANSWERS IN ADDRESSING ONE SMALL PART OF THE ISSUE.

THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN THE CITY AND WE NEED TO HAVE A HOLISTIC APPROACH THAT HAS A NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH EQUITY LINES FOR EVERYTHING WE DO.

RICK: COUNCILMAN REED, YOU REPRESENT SUPERMARKETS, AND NO.

HOW DO YOU KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING?

MR. REED: BY ENSURING THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAFE.

PEOPLE MAKE A DECISION TO MOVE INTO A CITY OR OUT OF A CITY BASED ON A NUMBER OF THINGS.

ONE OF THE THINGS OF THE TOP OF THE LIST IS SAFETY.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN MOUNT PLEASANT WAS TO ATTRACT, SAVE A LOT, INTO OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE MADE IT SAFER.

AS COUNCILMAN, I PUT UP OVER 125 SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.

AS COUNCILMAN, I HAD POLICE OFFICERS WALKING THE BEAT.

AS COUNCILMAN, I WAS OUT THERE TALKING TO THE RESIDENTS AND THE MERCHANTS IN MOUNT PLEASANT AND IN UNION MILES TO FIND OUT, WHAT DO YOU WANT?

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

THAT IS WHAT THEY MAYOR NEEDS TO BE DOING.

I AM THE MOST TRANSPARENT ELECTED -- FORMER ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE ENTIRE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE EXPERIENCE I'VE SHOWN OVER THE LAST 17 YEARS OF THE COUNCIL.

AT IS HOW WE DID IT IN MOUNT PLEASANT.

THAT IS BUT I'M GOING TO DO ACROSS THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

RICK: JUSTIN BIBB, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

MR. BIBB: FOOD INSECURITY IS A MAJOR CRISIS.

MY GRANDMA WHO JUST TURNED 92 A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, SHE HAS TO TAKE TWO BUSES TO GET TO HER GROCERY STORE THAT SELLS FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

THAT IS THE SAME STORY IN MANY PARTS OF OUR CITY.

NUMBER ONE, WE NEED TO FULLY FUND OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND HAVE A TARGETED FOCUS ON FOOD POLICY TO FIGURE OUT, HOW CAN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND AND ERADICATE THE BARRIERS THAT EXIST FROM A POLICY AND STRUCTURAL LEVEL TO ADDRESS THIS NEED?

THE OTHER THING WE SHOULD BE DOING IS LEVERAGING THIS INVESTMENT WITH THE OPPORTUNITY CORRIDOR, INSTEAD OF PRIORITIZING POLICE HEADQUARTERS, THANK GOD WE KILLED THAT PART OF THE DEAL.

IT SHOULD BE LEVERAGED AS A FOOD HUB, INVESTING IN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE CLEVELAND KITCHEN COMPANY TO EMBRACE THE FOOD ECONOMY THAT CAN HELP ERADICATE THE FOOD DESERT ISSUE WE HAVE.

BUT ALSO BRING GOOD PAYING JOBS TO THOSE FORGOTTEN NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT WILL BE MY STRATEGY AND PLAN AS THE NEXT MAYOR OF CLEVELAND.

MR. JONES: YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT THIS WITHOUT NOT MENTIONING THE M.V.P.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHICH IS THE GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK.

THEY DID AN ABSOLUTE PHENOMENAL JOB IN TAKING CARE OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

THEY ARE GETTING READY TO BUILD A NEW HEADQUARTERS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS PART OF THIS MONEY GOES TOWARDS ASSISTING THEM.

THE SECOND THING I WANT TO SAY IS THE FIRST THING I DID WHEN I BECAME COUNCILMAN WAS CREATE A FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN MY COMMUNITY.

OVER 1000 PEOPLE A MONTH WE FEED.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FOOD, IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THIS, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE HUNGRY.

I CAN REMEMBER LIVING IN THE SALVATION ARMY, AND LIVING IN HOMELESS OUT -- HOMELESS SHELTERS IN CLEVELAND, AND KNOWING WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE HUNGRY.

YOU CAN'T COME UP WITH A SOLUTION UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE THAT PAIN IN YOUR STOMACH.

THE REALITY IS THAT NOT ONLY DEALING WITH FOOD APARTHEID WILL FEED PEOPLE, BUT IT ALSO HELPS OUR CHILDREN.

I REMEMBER BEING A YOUNG PERSON GOING TO MLK MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND ONLY GOING THERE BECAUSE I COULD GET SOME LUNCH.

CHILDREN CAN'T EVEN PASS THEIR TESTS IF THEY ARE HUNGRY.

FOOD IS A MAJOR ISSUE.

THAT'S WHY IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE DO OUR DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND SUPPORT LOCAL FARMING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

RICK: WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT QUESTION.

I WILL GET TO YOU FIRST.

WE WILL STAY WITHIN THE TOPIC.

THIS QUESTION COMES FROM INDIA ROBERTSON OF THE GLENVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> INFANT MORTALITY IS A TRAGIC STATISTIC IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AS MAYOR, HOW WILL YOU PUT STRATEGIES IN PLACE TO HELP WITH THE INFANT MORTALITY CRISIS?

RICK: OBVIOUSLY NOT FOOD BUT STILL HEALTH.

INFANT MORTALITY IS WHAT SHE SAID.

MR. KUCINICH: THIS IS A HEARTBREAKING CONDITION IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND WHERE WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST INFANT MORTALITY RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

THE PARADOX IS WE ALSO HAVE SOME OF THE BEST HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE LEARNED RECENTLY THAT SOME OF THE HEALTH CARE DOLLARS AT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ANTICIPATING WOULD BE PUT INTO IT TO DEAL WITH ISSUES LIKE INFANT MORTALITY AND LEAD POISONING.

I EXPECT TO HAVE A VERY GOOD COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HEAD OF OUR MAJOR HOSPITALS, TO SHOW HOW THEY CAN REACH INTO THE COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE, LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

MAKE THEIR SERVICES AVAILABLE.

MAKE SURE MATERNAL AND INFANT CARE BECOME SOMETHING THAT CLEVELAND CAN BE KNOWN FOR, INSTEAD OF BEING A TRAGEDY.

WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE WE ARE CLEVELAND.

WE CAN DO THIS.

BECAUSE WE ARE CLEVELAND.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT MEDICAL RESOURCES.

YOU ONLY NEED A MAYOR WHO IS READY TO REACH OUT TO THAT COMMUNITY AND SAY, HERE IS HOW WE DO IT.

RICK: THANK YOU.

SENATOR, I KNOW YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO DID NOT MEAN -- WHO DID NOT SPEAK ON THIS TOPIC.

SEN. WILLIAMS: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE OHIO LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF INFANT MORTALITY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING A STEADY COMMITTEE AND A GROUP OF PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF OHIO TO COME UP WITH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO REDUCE THOSE CHALLENGES THAT WOMEN HAVE.

I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE FUNDING THAT THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF INFANT MORTALITY.

WE WERE ABLE TO FUND BIRTHING BEAUTIFUL BABIES, TO MAKE SURE THEY HELPED ADDRESS THE ISSUES WE HAVE IN PLACE.

WE DIDN'T JUST PUT OUR POLICIES IN PLACE AND DIDN'T FUND THEM.

.

WE PUT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEHIND THE POLICIES TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITIES LIKE CLEVELAND HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY THIS.

MY FATHER DIED WHEN I WAS ON THE THIRD GRADE.

MY MOTHER RAISED SEVEN CHILDREN ON HER OWN.

SHE HAD TO FEED ALL OF US WITH ONE LITTLE SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK.

WE HAD THE BASICS.

I KNOW AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE HUNGRY ON A REGULAR BASIS.

MY MOTHER MADE SURE WE ATE BEFORE SHE ATE.

THAT IS WHY I HAVE FOUGHT SO HARD TO MAKE SURE WE GET RID OF FOOD DESERTS.

I WAS ONE OF THE MAIN PEOPLE TO HELP RID -- GET URBAN FARM GET STARTED.

NOT ONLY HAVE THEM GET STARTED, BUT HELP THEM ADDRESS SHORTFALLS THEY HAD WITH CLEVELAND.

COME TO THE STATE OF OHIO, COME TO THE LEGISLATURE AND SAY HEY, WE NEED FUNDING.

THEY ARE NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE PURCHASING FOOD AFTER THE FIRST WEEK OR SO OF THE MONTH.

MOST GROCERY STORES SAY THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF BUSINESS.

THEY ASK FOR FUNDING FOR OHIO.

I HELPED TO FIGHT FOR THE.

BUT I CAN SAY THIS.

IF WE WANT TO MAKE SURE GROCERY STORE STAY IN OUR COMMUNITY, NEED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE JOBS THEY CAN GO TO THE STORE AND PURCHASE THE NECESSARY FOOD THEY NEED.

RICK: MR. KELLY, WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT WITHOUT MENTIONING FIRST YEAR CLEVELAND.

MR. KELLY: THANK YOU.

NEITHER CAN I.

THIS WAS THE FIRST MAJOR ISSUE I TOOK ON AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

I THINK THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE.

THIS IS PERSONAL, AS A FATHER OF FIVE DAUGHTERS.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THE PAIN OF SOMEBODY WHO LOSES THEIR BABY BEFORE THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAY.

I ALMOST THINK THE TERM INFANT MORTALITY HAS BECOME TOO SANITIZED.

WE NEED TO CALL THIS WHAT THIS IS.

THIS IS A HEALTH OUTCOME THAT SHOULD BE SHAMEFUL TO THE CITY.

IT IS SHAMEFUL.

WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS BUT WE NEED TO KEEP GOING.

WHEN I REALIZED WHEN I STARTED DIGGING INTO THIS ISSUE WAS THERE WAS A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE DOING GOOD THINGS IN THIS AREA BUT THEY WERE NOT DOING SO IN ANY COORDINATED FASHION AND THEY WERE NOT FUNDED AT THE LEVEL THAT WAS GOING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE.

THAT IS WHY WE FORMED FIRST YEAR CLEVELAND.

WE CALL ELABORATED WITH THE MAJOR HEALTH UNIVERSITY.

WE COLLABORATED WILL -- WITH THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY.

WE HAD MEETING AFTER MEETING TO BUILD FIRST YEAR CLEVELAND.

THE WHOLE GOAL WAS WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO RID THIS COMMUNITY OF THE SHAMEFUL CONDITION?

FIRST YEAR CLEVELAND HAS MADE PROGRESS.

WE ARE MOVING THE NEEDLE INTO INFANT MORTALITY.

I HAVE TO GET THIS AND BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT.

FIRST YEAR CLEVELAND REVEALED WHEN WE STARTED DIGGING INTO THE NUMBERS, IS THAT IF YOU TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE PRESUMPTIONS OF WHY WE HAD THIS TERRIBLE INFANT MORTALITY, NOT GETTING PRENATAL CARE, THE HEALTH OF MOTHER, YOU STRIP ALL THAT AWAY, THERE IS ONE THING THAT DETERMINED WHETHER THAT BABY WAS GOING TO LIVE TO THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAY.

AND THAT WAS THE RACE OF THE MOTHER.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE DECLARED AS THE FIRST UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT.

THAT'S WHAT LED TO THE 400 YEARS OF RACISM CONFERENCE.

THAT IS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RACE AS PUBLIC HEALTH, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THIS IS UNDERGIRDING A LOT OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES.

AND FIRST YEAR CLEVELAND WAS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD ADDRESSING INFANT MORTALITY.

THIS NEEDS TO BE A CLEAR YOUR DESK MOMENT.

WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS EVERY SINGLE DAY UNTIL WE DON'T LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE WE HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF BABIES THAT DIE BEFORE THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAY.

RICK: THANK YOU.

LAST ON THIS WILL BE MR. JONES.

I WILL GIVE YOU A FULL MINUTE.

MR. JONES: THANK YOU.

IT IS SO INTERESTING TO HEAR PEOPLE WAKE UP NOW.

THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME.

RACISM HAS BEEN A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS FOR A LONG TIME.

THE FACT IS, LET'S BE MORE SPECIFIC THAN JUST SAYING INFANT MORTALITY.

LET'S SAY BLACK INFANT MORTALITY.

THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE.

AND I THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING WE ALL ARE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT.

IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT BLACK INFANT MORTALITY, YOU CANNOT DISCUSS IT WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT STRUCTURAL RACISM AND THE IMPACT IT HAS.

AS MAYOR, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE CITY, IF WE ARE GOING TO ATTACK THIS ISSUE, IS I PLAN TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF BLACK WOMEN DO LIST IN OUR CITY -- BLACK WOMEN DOULAS.

WHY?

BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING THROUGH PAIN NEED SOLUTIONS.

WE DON'T NEED PEOPLE FROM THE OUTSIDE TELLING US WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE OUR SITUATION BETTER.

WE UNDERSTAND IT CLEARLY.

IN WARD SEVEN IS WHERE THE HEADQUARTERS OF BIRTH AND BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITIES IS.

I APPRECIATE SENATOR WILLIAMS FOR SUPPORTING SUCH AN AMAZING INITIATIVE RAN BY PRESIDENT JASMINE LONG.

IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT BLACK INFANT MORTALITY WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT STRUCTURAL RACISM.

WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT CRIME WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT POVERTY.

POVERTY IS THE GREATEST CRIME.

CRIME IS JUST A SYMPTOM OF THE BIGGER ISSUE.

RICK: THANK YOU.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON.

YOU ARE WATCHING THE FIRST OF TWO MAYORAL DEBATES COORDINATED BY IDEASTREAM PUBLIC MEDIA.

WE ARE DEALING WITH A SPECIFIC SET OF TOPICS AND QUESTIONS.

OTHERS WILL COME NEXT WEEK.

AS WE MOVE INTO QUESTIONS ON HOUSING, WE BEGIN BY HEARING FROM MILDRED DIXON OF DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND WHO HAS EXPERIENCED OF THE DIFFICULTY OF BEING ON HOUSE -- UNHOUSED.

>> WHAT OTHER SPECIFIC PLANS OF EACH CANDIDATE TO GET EQUAL HOUSINGS OFF THE STREET INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND EVEN OUT OF SHELTERS?

BEING IN A SHELTER IS NOT A HOME.

A SHELTER IS A TRANSITIONAL SPOT FOR PEOPLE TO ORGANIZE THEIR LIVES, GET THEIR FINANCING TOGETHER, AND TO MOVE TO SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN CALL THEIR OWN.

RICK: MR. BIBB, I'M AWARE YOU HAVE NOT GONE FIRST AND ANY QUESTIONS OR GO RIGHT AHEAD.

MR. BIBB: THIS QUESTION IS TIMELY.

I WAS JUST AT THE MEN'S SHELTER AT THE MEN'S SHELTER AT ONE 100 LAKESIDE A COUPLE DAYS AGO.

AND I SAW THE CHALLENGE OF THIS ISSUE FOR SAND.

I ALSO SPENT TIME WITH FRONT-LINE SOLUTIONS IN OHIO CITY.

NUMBER ONE, WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF SUPPORTING MORE ACCESS TO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR HOMELESS POPULATION TO GET A LEG UP AND HAVE A PATHWAY TO HAVING A LIFE WITH DIGNITY.

THAT IS ESSENTIAL.

SECOND -- SECONDLY, OUR HOUSING DEPARTMENT MUST BE MORE BOLD AND AGGRESSIVE ON CRACKING DOWN ON PREDATORY LANDLORDS.

I JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO DID A PRESS CONFERENCE, ATTACKING HOLTON WISE.

WHICH IS CALLING MANY COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY, PARTICULARLY THE EAST SIDE, SLUM COMMUNITIES, WHICH IS UNDERMINING OUR ABILITIES TO ATTRACT -- TO ATTRACT REAL INVESTMENTS.

I THINK IT IS TIME FOR US TO RE-EXAMINE AND RETHINK OUR ABATEMENT POLICY TO BETTER HAVE INCENTIVES TO SUPPORT MORE AFFORDABLE AND WORKFORCE HOUSING ACROSS THE CITY.

MR. REED: AS WE LOOK AT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, SHELTERS, HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT?

AS MAYOR THANK YOU COME DOWN TO WHAT I SAID MR. REED: IN THE INITIAL STATEMENT MR. REED:.

WE HAVE TO GET A SENSE OF URGENCY ON THIS ISSUE.

IT HAS TO BE A SENSE OF URGENCY.

WHEN MAYOR MICHAEL WHITE BECAME MAYOR OF CLEVELAND, HE TURNED THOSE VACANT LOTS INTO HOMEOWNERSHIP.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE NOT DOING.

AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM WE ARE HAVING ACROSS THE CITY.

THERE IS NO SENSE OF URGENCY.

THERE IS NO SENSE OF URGENCY WHEN IT COMES TO INFANT MORTALITY.

.

THAT IS THE REASON IT CONTINUES.

THERE IS NO SENSE OF URGENCY WHEN IT COMES TO THESE FOOD DESERTS.

.

THAT IS WHY IT CONTINUES.

THERE'S NO SENSE OF URGENCY WHEN IT COMES TO VIOLENCE IN INNER-CITY CLEVELAND.

THERE IS NO SENSE OF URGENCY LOOK AT THE FACTS.

THE FACT THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE NEW HOUSE BUILT IN WARD ONE AND WAR TWO ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF THE CITY IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

HOUSES ON ONE SIDE OF THE CITY ARE GOING TO THE SKIES.

THAT IS A PROBLEM.

AND THAT IS THE REASON THAT YOUNG LADY IS TALKING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OF HOMELESSNESS.

BECAUSE THERE IS NO SENSE OF URGENCY FOR THE LEADERSHIP IN THIS CITY.

THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE FACING THE PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND, AS I SAID, THE VIOLENCE, THE POVERTY, AND WHAT I'M SAYING IS A MAYOR NEEDS TO SHOW WHAT MAYOR MICHAEL R WHITE SHOWED.

THAT WE CAN TURN THOSE VACANT LOT.

INTO HOMEOWNERSHIP ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOOK AT THE FACT THAT AFRICAN-AMERICAN HOMEOWNERSHIP, IF WE ARE GOING TO BUILD A MIDDLE CLASS AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THIS CITY, WE'VE GOT TO GET MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR OWNING HOMES.

AS THEY ARE, I'M GOING TO DO THE SAME THING AS MALE MICHAEL R WHITE.

I'M GOING TO SHOW THE URGENCY THAT IS NEEDED TO DO HOMEOWNERSHIP IN THE CITY.

RICK: THANK YOU.

LET ME GIVE MR. DIBELLO A MINUTE.

MR. DIBELLO: THANK YOU.

WE NEED TO PUT OUR LANDINGS TO USE, AND PLAYING ADULTS AND HIGH SCHOOLERS IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS, GIVING THEM THE TRADE BACKGROUND, PAYING THEM $15 AN HOUR WHILE THEY TRAIN, WHILE THEY BUILD.

THEN WE ARE ACTUALLY FINALLY IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, BUILDING FROM THE BOTTOM UP AS OPPOSED TO THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS NOW, WHILE INCREASING THE HOUSING STOCK.

WE NEED TO DO THIS BUILDING AFFORDABLE, CREATE PUBLIC HOUSING, PUT DOORS NEAR TRANSITS.

WE BLESS HOMES SINCE 1980 THEN WE BUILT TOTAL IN THE DECADE OF THE 1940'S.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

WE HAVE A DUTY TO RECTIFY THIS.

NEED TO WORK WITH CIVIC MINDED DEVELOPERS WHERE IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MAXIMUM COMMODITIZATION OF LAND.

IT IS ABOUT MAXIMUM UTILITY TO RESIDENTS, AND TURNING A PROFIT SECOND.

LASTLY, WE HAVE TO GET RID OF THE 15 YEAR TAX ABATEMENT, START FROM SCRATCH.

RICK: THANK YOU.

30 SECONDS, AND I MEAN IT.

MR. KUCINICH: LIKE SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS PANEL, I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE HOMELESS.

MY FAMILY LIVED IN 21 DIFFERENT PLACES BY THE TIME I WAS 17, INCLUDING A COUPLE CARS BECAUSE WE HAD TROUBLE FINDING RENT AS A FAMILY.

BECAUSE OF THAT EXPERIENCE, I UNDERSTAND HOW CLEVELANDERS HAVE SUFFERED IN LOSING THEIR HOMES.

I POINTED OUT IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY, DURING THE SUBPRIME MELTDOWN, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LOST THEIR HOMES ON THE EASTSIDE, ALL THE WEALTH THAT WAS THERE WAS GONE WITH IT WHEN THEY LOST THEIR HOMES.

AND THE BANKS GOT AWAY WITH THAT.

RICK: THAT IS YOUR TIME.

MR. KUCINICH: I INTEND TO BRING A RECKONING AND MAKE SURE THE MONEY GOES BACK INTO THE BLACK COMMUNITY THAT WAS TAKEN OUT.

>> I EXPECT -- I HAVE EXPERIENCE LIVING IN THE SHELTER.

IF YOU WANT TO BRING SOLUTIONS, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IT.

I WAS UNSHELTERED, I WAS IN CMA, I WAS A RENTER, I LIVED WITH MY FAMILY, AND NOW I'M A HOMEOWNER.

AS MAYOR, WE WILL ESTABLISH AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR CITY.

THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE CAN BRING DOWN VIOLENCE.

WHEN PEOPLE OWN THEIR HOMES, THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

WE WANT MORE RENTERS AS WELL, DON'T GET ME WRONG.

BUT WE WANT TO INCREASE HOMEOWNERSHIP, ESPECIALLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

RICK: THANK YOU.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

THIS IS ARTHUR HARD GATE OF LITTLE ITALY.

>> WHAT WILL YOU DO TO ASSURE THAT NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE A VOICE, AND ARE ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH POWERFUL AND INFLUENTIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPERS FROM OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY, WHO BUILD WHAT IS PROFITABLE TO THEM, BUT NOT WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS OR NEEDS?

RICK: WE WILL GO WITH COUNCILMAN KELLY AND THEN SENATOR WILLIAMS.

MR. KELLEY: THANK YOU.

THESE DEVELOPMENTS ARE LOCAL LEVELS.

AND PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF POWER.

IT IS REALLY A MATTER OF MAKING SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE POWER THEY DO HAVE.

IF YOU HAVE NOT -- HAVE AN ENGAGED GROUP OF CITIZENS THAT ARE ORGANIZED, WE HAVE DESIGN REVIEW, PLANNING COMMISSION, THE COUNCIL MEMBER CAN BE YOUR ADVOCATE.

THERE SHOULD NEVER BE A TIME WHEN A DEVELOPMENT IS PLACED IN A COMMUNITY WHEN IT IS NOT WANTED BY THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE SEEN THE ACTIVISM OF MANY DEVELOPMENTS OVER TIME, WHETHER IT IS IN TREMONT AND ALL THE DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENTS WHEN PEOPLE COME TOGETHER.

.

I WAS JUST KNOCKING ON DOORS ON LAKE AVENUE AND THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THEIR SIDEWALKS.

PEOPLE ARE ORGANIZED.

IT IS MAKING SURE -- I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS -- I THINK THE PROBLEM WE HAVE, IS ONE OF MAKING SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT AVENUES THEY HAVE TO SPEAK THEIR MINDS ABOUT DIFFERENT HOUSING AND LAND USE EVENTS HAPPENING.

I THINK WE CAN ALL DO A BETTER JOB OF AN -- OF EDUCATING PEOPLE AND ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY.

SEN. WILLIAMS: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

LISTEN, AS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, MY ADMINISTRATION WILL WORK WITH THE CDC.

THE CDCS WILL ALWAYS BE AT THE TABLE.

BEYOND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS BEING AT THE TABLE, THE RESIDENTS WILL BE AT THAT TABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WILL BE BUILT IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

I BELIEVE THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY FOR A VERY LONG TIME, AND NOTHING SHOULD HAPPEN WITHOUT THEM.

LET ME ALSO SAY THIS.

FOR ALL OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE, NOT ONLY IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT IN NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS OUR CITY, ONE OF THE THINGS RESIDENTS ARE COMPLAINING TO ME ABOUT IS THE FACT THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD THEIR PROPERTY TAX.

FROM WHAT I HEAR, PROPERTY TAXES ARE ABOUT TO GO UP WE ARE PRICING PEOPLE OUT OF THE MARKET, AND WE HAVE TO STOP THAT.

RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN LOYAL TO CLEVELAND, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROTECTED IF THEY WANT TO LIVE IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

I HAVE BEEN HELPING FAMILIES GET OUT OF LIVING IN THEIR CARS AND LIVING IN HOTELS WHERE THEY CAN PAY A LITTLE BIT OF RENT FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

I HAVE SEVERAL FAMILIES I HAVE HELPED.

I HAVE WORKED WITH HOMEOWNERS TO REDUCE THE RENT SO THAT THOSE PEOPLE COULD HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE, A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD, WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

AND I WILL ALSO SAY THIS.

THAT'S WHY THE $150 MILLION THAT I JUST WROTE BACK FROM COLUMBUS, OHIO, CAN BE USED.

IT CAN BE USED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TEAR DOWN HOMES THAT ARE NOT STABLE AND BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ON THAT SITE.

I HALF-MILLION DOLLARS HAS ALREADY COME INTO THE COUNTY -- RICK: SENATOR, THAT IS YOUR TIME.

ONE REBUTTAL TO MR. JOHNSON WE WILL CONTINUE WITH ONE MORE QUESTION.

MR. JONES: THE RESIDENTS VOICES HAVE TO BE HARD.

AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT -- THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT IS SOMEONE I ADMIRE AND RESPECT, BUT FOR EXAMPLE, I'M NOT FOR OR AGAINST, BUT THE FACT IS, THERE WAS NO PUBLIC COMMENT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT.

THE VOICES OF THE RESIDENCE MUST BE HEARD.

JUST TO SAY REAL QUICK, $511 MILLION, A PERCENTAGE WILL GO TO FIX OUR SENIOR HOMES, WHO ARE LIVING IN DILAPIDATED HOMES WHERE ROOFS AND PORCHES ARE FALLING.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE RESIDENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

RICK: HE DID MENTION MR. KELLY, SO YOU DO GET 30 SECONDS.

MR. KELLY: YOU ARE KIND OF WRONG ON YOUR FACTS.

IN THE PROGRESSIVE FIELD, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME BUT I'M THE FIRST COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO DO IT.

THE PROGRESSIVE FIELD, THAT HAS NOT COME.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE ALL KINDS OF HEARINGS, AND I THINK YOU KNOW THAT.

THIS IS THE VERY BEGINNING OF IT.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE PLENTY OF PUBLIC INPUT.

I DIDN'T VOTE ON IT, DID YOU VOTE ON IT?

IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

RICK: I WILL INTRODUCE MY DICE ONE MORE VIDEOTAPE INTO THE HOUSING QUESTION.

THIS IS IVANKA OF GLENVILLE.

>> WHAT IS, OR WHAT WILL BE YOUR PLAN TO MOSTLY THE FUNDS CURRENTLY BUDGETED FOR UPKEEP ON VACANT AND ABANDONED LAND?

MANY MONEY PIT TIME LANDS, TURNING THEM INTO SUSTAINABLE, ECONOMIC RING FIELDS.

MR. DIBELLO: THIS ACTUALLY RELATES TO THE PRIOR QUESTION.

WE'VE GOT TO BE IN CONTROL OF WHAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE BROWNFIELDS IS GOING TO BE.

TO ANSWER THE GENTLEMAN AND THE LADIES QUESTION, WE ARE GOING TO STRIP POLITICAL POWER FROM THOSE DEVELOPERS.

WE ARE GOING TO BRING THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LIMITS WAY DOWN.

$250 PER PACK, $750 PER PERSON.

THAT DICTATES POLICY, HIGH-RISES, WHAT GETS DEVELOPED WHERE.

THOSE BROWN FIELDS, MANY GREEDY FOLKS THAT WILL NOT BE SLEEPING WITHIN OUR BORDERS TONIGHT, THEY'VE GOT PLANS FOR THEM.

THEY WANT TO MAKE MONEY OFF THEM.

WE JUST WANT TO BETTER THE COMMUNITY FOR OUR KIDS, CREATE AFFORDABLE, TRANSIT ORIENTED LIVING.

SO WE HAVE TO BE IN CHARGE OF HOW THOSE BROWN FIELDS ARE DEVELOPED.

WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT POLITICAL POWER AWAY.

MR. REED: IT COMES DOWN TO THE FACT THAT WE'VE GOT TO WORK WITH THE CONGRESSMAN AND SECRETARY FUDGE TO WORK OUT WAYS THAT WERE GOING TO TURN THESE BROWN FIELDS AND VACANT LOTS ONCE AGAIN INTO PRODUCTIVE THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

JUST THINK ABOUT IT.

I FOUGHT VERY HARD FOR YEARS AGAINST THE COUNTY LAND BANK BECAUSE YOU JUST LOOK AND SEE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF HOUSES THAT WERE BEING DEMOLISHED WERE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

WHAT I WOULD SAY WAS, LOOK AT IT.

THE FACT THAT A VACANT LOT DOESN'T SEND YOUR CHILD TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

A VACANT LOT DOESN'T BUY FOOD AT THE CORNER STORE.

A VACANT LOT DOESN'T SEND YOUR CHILD TO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON A SUNDAY MORNING.

THEREFORE, WHAT WE'VE GOT TO DO IS SHOW A SENSE OF URGENCY.

IT IS GOING TO SAY THAT IN THESE WARDS AND IN THESE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE ALL THESE VACANT LOTS, WE'VE GOT TO TURN THEM INTO PRODUCTIVE AREAS IN THE CITY TO BRING BACK FAMILIES, AND AS I SAID, HOME OWNERSHIP.

I AGREE WITH THE COUNCILMAN, IF WE ARE GOING TO ERADICATE AND REDUCE THE VIOLENCE, WE'VE GOT TO REDUCE THE POVERTY IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

POVERTY AND VIOLENCE GO HAND-IN-HAND.

MR. BIBB: IT PAINS ME TO SAY THIS, BUT WE LIVE IN ONE OF THE MOST ANTI-DEMOCRATIC CITIES IN AMERICA.

IT WASN'T COUNCIL LEADERSHIP THAT HAD THE RIGHT IDEA FOR PUBLIC POLICY.

IT'S THOSE WHO FOUGHT ON THE FRONT LINES TO MAKE THIS A REALITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY 100 YEARS.

THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY IS THIS, REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THESE ISSUES, MINIMUM WAGE, DENIED.

PEOPLE DON'T TRUST GOVERNMENT BECAUSE CAREER POLITICIANS THINK THEY HAVE THE ANSWER.

THE RESIDENTS HAVE THE ANSWER.

AND THAT'S THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP WE NEED TO BRING MOVING FORWARD IN THIS CITY.

AS WE THINK ABOUT HOW TO BETTER ACTIVATE THESE ABANDONED LOTS, WE NEED TO HAVE A PROACTIVE STRATEGY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE USING ALL THE STEAM IS COMING DOWN FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN TO ACTIVATE OUR BROWN FIELDS FOR MORE JOB HUBS.

AND THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE LEVERAGE SOLAR ENERGY AND BUILD SOLAR FARMS IN THESE ABANDONED LOTS?

WE CAN FINALLY GET OUR RELIANCE OFF CARBON EMISSIONS AND MOVED TO THE GREEN ECONOMY FOR A GREEN, PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR CLEVELAND, OHIO.

RICK: BECAUSE HE MENTIONED YOUR NAME, MR. JONES, YOU GET 30 SECONDS.

MR. JONES: I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON PUBLIC COMMENT SINCE I GOT INTO THE COUNCIL.

THE VERY FIRST YEAR I GOT INTO THE COUNCIL, I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON PUBLIC COMMENTS.

AND I APPRECIATE ALL THOSE AMAZING GROUPS THAT JOINED US, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT?

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT EXPERIENCE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN COUNCIL FOR EIGHT LONG TIME TO SEE THE PROBLEMS.

I WAS HERE FOR ONE TERM AND ALREADY SEE THAT THERE IS SERIOUS CHANGE THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE.

YOU ALSO HAVE TO HAVE COUNCILMEMBERS THAT STAND WITH YOU.

THAT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

WHAT I DID IN WARD SEVEN WAS TO CREATE THE HUB COMMUNITY LAND TRUST.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE ON THE COURT AND THEY DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

RICK: THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE FINAL CATEGORY BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A TIME LIMIT.

I PROMISE ALL OF YOU WILL GET A CHANCE TO TALK ON THIS TOPIC.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WITH AN EAGERNESS TO ENGAGE, BUT THERE IS CONCERN THEY DON'T HAVE FULL ACCESS TO RECORDS AND REPRESENTATIVES.

WE WILL HEAR FROM SOMEONE FROM THE JEFFERSON NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IF YOU BECOME MAYOR, HOW WILL YOU BUILD, REPAIR, AND SUSTAIN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND CITY COUNCIL?

RICK: AGAIN, EVERYBODY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK ON THE SUBJECT.

MR. REED, YOU WILL GO FIRST.

MR. REED: WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT, THERE IS NO BETTER WAY THAN WHAT I HAVE ALREADY SAID.

I SAID IS THE LAST TIME I RAN AND I'M SAYING AT THIS TIME.

I WILL OPEN OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE EVERY SATURDAY TO CITIZENS IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND TO COME DOWN AND TALK TO THE MAYOR PERSONALLY.

THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE BUREAUCRACY OF AN INEFFICIENT CITY GOVERNMENT THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

I HAVE SAID IT ONCE AND I CONTINUE TO SAY IT.

IF THE CEO OF CLAYTON -- CLEVELAND CLINIC OR OTHERS WANT TO SEE THE MAYOR, THEY WOULD MAKE A PHONE CALL AND I WOULD GET TO SEE THE MAYOR.

THE QUESTION IS, WHY CAN'T MS. SMITH WHO LIVES ON 154TH?

SHE'S GOT A PROBLEM.

THE SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED.

SHE WANTS TO TALK TO THE MAYOR.

SHE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TALK TO THE MAYOR.

WHY COULDN'T MR. SMITH WHO HAS A SMALL PROBLEM IN HIS REGARD, BUT IT IS BIG IN HIS MIND.

HE WANTS TO COME TALK TO THE MAYOR.

WHEN I AM MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, REQUEST THAT COME FROM THE MEDIA WILL NOT BE STALLED.

WHEN THEY WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THEY DID SOMETHING GUN -- SOMETHING GOOD, THAT ITEM GETS OUT OF THERE IN A HURRY.

BUT WHEN CITIZENS WANT TO SEE THE PUBLIC RECORD, THEY WALK IN LINE VERY SLOWLY.

WHEN I AM MAYOR, TRANSPARENCY WILL BE AT THE TOP OF MY AGENDA.

RICK: SENATOR, HOW ABOUT WHEN YOU ARE MAYOR?

SEN. WILLIAMS: THE CITY OF CLEVELAND WILL HAVE A ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL RESIDENT CONSUMER ISSUES.

YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR A YEAR TO GET YOUR LIGHTBULB REPLACE.

YOU WILL HAVE ONE PLACE TO GO.

YOU CAN CALL US ON THE TELEPHONE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET US ON AN APP, ON THE WEBSITE.

YOU CAN COME DOWN AND SPEAK TO US IN PERSON.

YOU WILL BE TREATED WITH RESPECT WHEN YOU COME TO CITY HALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT MY CITY HALL, IT IS THE RESIDENCE' CITY HALL.

IS NOT ABOUT WARD 1, 5, OR 10.

IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THE CITY OF CLEVELAND WORKS FOR EVERYBODY IN THE CITY.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO TALK ABOUT THE BROWN FIELDS BECAUSE THAT'S MY FAVORITE THING TO TALK ABOUT.

WHEN I STARTED OUT I TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT I JUST BROUGHT HOME A HALF BILLION DOLLARS.

I HAVE BEEN TIRED OF LOOKING AT THOSE FOR A LONG TIME.

$150 MILLION WILL GO TO GET RID OF THESE ABANDONED PROPERTIES.

WE SHOULD BE MAKING SURE THAT WHEN BUSINESSES WANT TO MOVE INTO THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, THEY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT DECADES TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN DO BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

IF A BUSINESS WANTS TO EXPAND IN CLEVELAND, TRUST ME, THEY WILL HAVE TO HAVE PARCELS TO EXPAND IN THE CITY.

I WANT TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES AND OTHER STATES TO THE CITY.

WE WILL MOVE AT THE SPEED OF BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

BROWN FIELDS ARE READY TO BE GONE.

UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION, THEY ARE DONE.

RICK: LET'S ROLL THE TAPE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW WILL YOU AS MAYOR SHOW TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNITY BLOCK GRANT DOLLARS AND HOW THOSE FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOODS?

MR. KUCINICH: YOU HAVE TO START WITH PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT MEANS ACTUALLY SOLICITING PEOPLE DOOR-TO-DOOR TO COME TO MEETINGS.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THE ISSUE OF TRANSPARENCY IS ONE OF THE BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUES THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND.

LET'S JUST LOOK AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS HERE IN CLEVELAND.

OR RECENTLY, $435 MILLION BEING DISCUSSED ABOUT PROGRESSIVE FIELD.

THE DEAL IS LIKE A BLACK BOX, WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

EVERYONE AGREES ON IT, BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY NUMBERS.

THERE IS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

THIS TRAGIC CASE OF A CITY COUNCILMAN WHO WAS ACTUALLY STEALING MONEY BY PUTTING IN FOR VOUCHERS FOR $1200 A MONTH THAT HE COULDN'T PROVE THAT HE ACTUALLY SPENT.

383 DIFFERENT FEDERAL COUNTS WERE INVOLVED IN THAT CASE AND CITY COUNCIL LEADERSHIP GOES DUH , WE DON'T KNOW NOTHING.

THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH TRANSPARENCY THERE.

FINALLY, THIS IDEA OF NOT HAVING PUBLIC COMMENT AT CITY COUNCIL, THEY'VE BEEN ROLLING THE PUBLIC FOR MONTHS AND YEARS ON THIS.

NO TRANSPARENCY.

PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A VOICE.

AND I AM MAYOR, PEOPLE WILL HAVE A VOICE.

I MAKE SURE THAT THE FIRST HOUR OF EVERY DAY, PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO CALL ME AND CUT THROUGH THE BUREAUCRACY.

I DID THAT 44 YEARS AGO.

MR. KELLY: LET ME START WITH THE ISSUE WITH KEN JOHNSON, I DON'T REVIEW THE EXPENSE REPORTS.

THE MOMENT I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT, I STOPPED IT.

I CALLED AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR TO REVIEW OUR PROCESSES.

WE CANNOT GO BACK AND FIX THE PAST, BUT WE CAN ABSOLUTELY BE SURE THAT THE NEXT PERSON THAT TRIES TO CHEAT THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND WILL NOT BE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT AREA.

I SEEM TO RECALL YOU WERE A COUNCILPERSON AT A CERTAIN POINT AND I DON'T REMEMBER THAT BEING PART OF WHAT YOU DID IN EITHER OF THOSE POSITIONS.

I ACTUALLY DID IT.

I ACTUALLY GOT IT DONE.

[INDISCERNIBLE] MR. KUCINICH: TELL THE PEOPLE OF CLEVELAND.

>> YOU ARE IN COUNCIL WITH THE MAYOR AND YOU FAILED TO DO THIS.

MR. KELLY: YOUR PROMISING PEOPLE AT 10% RATE CUT.

IN 1977 YOU PROMISED A 25% RATE CUT AND IT NEVER HAPPEN.

SO YOU CAN SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT.

[INDISCERNIBLE] IF I CAN JUST GET TO THE ISSUE OF TRANSPARENCY, PUBLIC RECORDS ARE THE PEOPLE'S RECORDS.

THIS IS WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO.

I WILL INSTITUTE AN OPEN GATE MODEL.

THERE IS A WAY TO DO THAT.

WE CAN GET THAT DONE.

RICK: WE WILL GO TO THE LAST VIDEOTAPE QUESTION.

DANIEL ORTIZ LIVES IN LAKEWOOD BUT WORKS HERE IN THE CITY.

>> DO YOU TO SIP 8 -- DO YOU SUPPORT A PARTICIPATORY BUS PROJECT?

WILL YOU LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE HOW TO USE A PORTION OF THE FUNDS?

RICK: YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP, I KNOW YOU WANT TO ANSWER ON THIS ONE.

>> IT FITS INTO THE QUESTION BEFORE THIS.

THIS IS WHY I AM RUNNING, TO GET AN ACCOUNTING OF OUR TAX DOLLARS.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DOLLARS.

MY INCOME TAXES WENT UP TO 2.5%.

MY PROPERTY TAXES WENT UP TO $3900 IN ONE YEAR.

NOW I AM NOT GETTING RECYCLING.

WE ARE NOT GETTING PAVING.

WE ARE NOT GETTING AMBULANCE RESPONSES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM GETTING.

SO I WENT OUT AND GOT 4000 SIGNATURES TO GET ON THE BALLOT.

GOING TO UP OUR TECHNOLOGY GAME, TO A PUBLIC LEDGER, AND ME AND MY NEIGHBORS GET TO SEE HER EVERY PENNY GOES, IF I BECOME MAYOR.

THESE GUYS ARE TRADITIONAL POLITICIANS.

THEY WILL DO WHAT THEIR DONORS ASK OF US.

WE DEMAND TO SEE THE BOOKS.

MR. BIBB: THE LAST TWO QUESTIONS SPEAK TO THIS CULTURE OF COMPLACENCY THAT IS THE CANCER IN OUR CITY.

WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO TAKE THIS MOMENT AND MAKE IT A MOVEMENT TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENT VOICE, THE KEY PART OF EVERY DECISION WE MAKE AT CITY HALL BEYOND JUST AN ELECTION CYCLE.

ABSOLUTELY I WILL SUPPORT HER TO SUPPORT TORY BUDGETING, NOT ONLY WITH THE AMERICAN SQ PLAN DOLLARS.

I WOULD ALLOCATE $30 MILLION FOR PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING.

IN 2022, WE SHOULD USE IT TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

YOUR BUDGET IS A REFLECTION OF YOUR VALUES, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE AS NEXT MAYOR YOUR VALUES ARE REPRESENTED IN EVERY DECISION I MAKE AS YOUR MAYOR.

RICK: IT'S TIME FOR CLOSING REMARKS.

THE ORDER WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM THE OPENING.

CANDIDATES, YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS.

WE BEGIN WITH COUNCIL PRESIDENT KEVIN KELLY.

MR. KELLY: I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO PUT THIS TOGETHER TONIGHT, THIS TIME HONORED TRADITION.

I WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW CANDIDATES FOR DISSIPATING TONIGHT.

I HOPE THAT THE VIEWERS HAVE GOTTEN A SENSE THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES FACING OUR STATE.

WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS.

THIS IS NO TIME TO GO BACKWARDS AND IT IS NO TIME FOR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THIS RIGHT.

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFETIMES.

WE NEED A SERIOUS CANDIDATE WITH A SERIOUS PLAN.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR THEATRICS, NOT THE TIME FOR PLATITUDES.

THIS IS THE TIME FOR SERIOUS POLICYMAKING.

EVERY CANDIDATE THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THIS ELECTION IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT CHANGE.

THE QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER CHANGES NEEDED.

THE QUESTION IS, WHO KNOWS HOW TO MAKE CHANGE?

WHO KNOWS HOW TO COLLABORATE, BUILD COALITIONS, AND GET THE JOB DONE?

THAT IS WHAT I WILL BRING TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

THANK YOU.

SEN. WILLIAMS: I WANT TO START BY ENTERING THE LAST QUESTION.

UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION, WE WILL HAVE A FISCAL OFFICE AND WE WILL UPDATE OUR TECHNOLOGY SO THAT EVERY BUDGET, EVERY FISCAL BUDGET THAT WE HAVE, EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE SPEND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR EVERY RESIDENT OR PERSON FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND TO SEE.

RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO COME IN AND HAVE THEIR SAY ON WHAT WE DO WITH THE CITY OF CLEVELAND'S MONEY AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CHANGE POLICY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS TO DO THAT.

NOW LET ME JUST SAY THIS.

WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

THIS ELECTION IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE PRESENT.

THIS IS ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN.

THIS IS ABOUT HIRING A LEADER WHO KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS WHAT CLEVELAND NEEDS.

THIS IS ABOUT A LEADER WHO'S GOING TO DELIVER SAFER STREETS.

THIS IS ABOUT A LEADER WHO IS GOING TO DELIVER A QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE.

THIS IS ABOUT A LEADER WHO WILL MAKE SURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ARE FOR EVERYONE IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

I AM THAT LEADER.

I AM THE WOMAN WHO CAN DELIVER FOR THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

I HAVE DONE IT BEFORE AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT AS YOUR MAYOR.

I HOPE YOU WILL VISIT MY WEBSITE AT WILLIAMS FOR CLEVELAND.COM.

VOLUNTEER, DONATE, AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT WE NEED.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. JONES: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INVITATION.

THIS HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY VOLUNTEERS AND EVERYONE OUT THERE WHO HAS BEEN PRAYING FOR ME, TO EVERY PERSON WHO HAS ASSISTED US IN THE CAMPAIGN.

I'VE GOT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED RAISE ME.

AND MY TEACHERS, WHO SAID YOUR VOICE WILL ALWAYS HAVE POWER.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY I CAME BACK AFTER I GRADUATED FROM MOREHOUSE COLLEGE.

TRUE SUCCESS IS NOT ABOUT HOW FAR YOU GO, BUT WHO YOU BRING ALONG WITH YOU.

WE NEED FRESH EYES WHEN IT COMES TO CITY SERVICES.

WE MUST BRING THE CITY SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO DEAL WITH PUBLIC SAFETY AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW TO HAVE AN IMPACT LOCALLY AND ALSO NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.

CLEVELAND IS THE GREATEST LOCATION IN THE NATION.

WE CANNOT GROW UNLESS WE WORK TOGETHER.

AS MAYOR, I JOB IS TO BRING THE EAST SIDE AND THE WEST SIDE TO BE ONE SIDE, BECAUSE WE ARE ONE CLEVELAND.

MR. KUCINICH: SAFETY, A PEACEFUL CITY, PROSPERITY.

THAT IS THE DIRECTION I INTEND TO TAKE CLEVELAND IN.

HOW?

400 NEW EMPLOYEES THAT WILL MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFER, WALKING THE BEAT.

100 SAFETY ASSISTANTS WHO WILL RESPOND TO CALLS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE AN ARMED RESPONSE.

PACIFIC POLICE DEPARTMENT SO WE CAN GET UNDERNEATH THE VIOLENCE THAT IS GOING ON AND DIVERT AWAY FROM VIOLENCE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT I WILL LEAD THE WAY TO REDUCE WATER RATES 10%.

TO SEEK A 10% CUT IN SEWER RATES.

AND ALSO A 10% REDUCTION IN PUBLIC POWER.

I KNOW IT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

I HAVE THE EXPERIENCE.

I ALSO HAVE THE WILLINGNESS.

RIGHT NOW THE PEOPLE IN CLEVELAND REALLY DON'T HAVE A CHOICE, THEY DON'T HAVE A VOICE.

WITH ME THEY WILL BE EMPOWERED.

THE PEOPLE WILL FINALLY HAVE A MAYOR THEY CAN CALL THEIR OWN.

THANK YOU.

MR. BIBB: SEVERAL WEEKS AGO I WAS KNOCKING ON DOORS AND I MET A GENTLEMAN NAMED ROBERT BROOKS, WHO IS 80 YEARS OLD.

HE WAS IN THE 101ST AIRBORNE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.

I ASKED, MR. BROOKS, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE NEXT MAYOR?

HE SAID YOUNG MAN, I WANT A MAYOR THAT'S GOING TO DO WHAT THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO DO.

THAT IS WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THIS ELECTION.

WE CANNOT AFFORD MORE OF THE SAME.

RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE IS ON THE BALLOT.

MAKING SURE WE HAVE A MODERATE RESPONSE -- MODERN RESPONSE THAT WORKS FOR OUR SENIORS, OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR CHILDREN ON THE BALLOT.

AND ENSURING WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC EDUCATION SO ALL OF OUR CHILDREN CAN LIVE UP TO THEIR GOD-GIVEN POTENTIAL ON THE BALLOT.

I'VE DEDICATED MY ENTIRE CAREER OF MAKING CITIES SAFER, STRONGER, AND MORE RESILIENT.

I HAVE ADVISED BIG-CITY MAYORS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

I AM THE RIGHT LEADER FOR THE RIGHT TIME.

I AM READY FOR THE JOB.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MR. REED: RICK, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND EVERYONE AT IDEASTREAM WHO BROUGHT THIS TO US THIS EVENING.

AND I WANT TO THANK THE VOTERS ARE LISTENING THIS EVENING.

REST ASSURED THIS ELECTION IS ABOUT NEIGHBORHOODS.

YOU SAW ON THE STAGE TONIGHT THE ABUSE THAT I HAD TO TAKE SIMPLY BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR EXPERIENCE.

SO WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE FORGOTTEN, THESE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.

THESE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS WE JUST HAVEN'T INVESTED IN.

MY MOM LIVES IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

SHE RAISED THREE BOYS ON HER OWN.

MS. JONES LIVES IN THESE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO FOR ONE CANDIDATE TO SAVE THESE ARE FORGOTTEN NEIGHBORHOODS, THESE NEIGHBORHOODS DON'T THINK THEY ARE FORGOTTEN.

WHAT THEY KNOW IS THAT CITY HALL -- CITY COUNCIL HAS NOT HAD THEIR BACK.

THEY HAVE WATCHED ME OVER THE YEARS.

THEY KNOW THERE IS ONE PERSON EVERY DAY THAT WENT TO CITY HALL AND WAS LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR BEST INTEREST.

I AM ASKING YOU, VOTERS OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, ON ELECTION DAY, SEPTEMBER 14, VOTE FOR EXPERIENCE.

VOTE FOR ZACH REED.

MR. DIBELLO: THANK YOU, RICK.

I AM SIMPLY MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER SIX CANDIDATES APPEAR AND THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.

COMBINED, THEY HAVE ALL RAISED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND GOTTEN TONS OF ENDORSEMENTS.

JUST LIKE OHIO 11, WE ARE ABOUT TO GET HIT WITH NEVER-ENDING PROPAGANDA IN THE BATTLE OVER WHO CAN MAKE WHOSE DONORS RICHER.

BUT IF WE WANT LESS POVERTY AND CRIME BUT A BETTER ENVIRONMENT, CITY SERVICES, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUBLIC TRANSIT, WE NEED TO BE IN CHARGE.

THE MAYOR AND THE 17 COUNCIL PEOPLE NEED TO WORK FOR AND LISTEN TO US.

TO REPRESENT AND BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REAL CLEVELAND OR, TO PRIORITIZE THE REAL ECONOMY, CITY SERVICES, INFANT MORTALITY, AND THIS IS THE WORST STATE IN THE NATION FOR BLACK FEMALES.

WE HAVE SO MANY SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS BECAUSE OUR SYSTEM IS BROKEN.

WE NEED A NEW ENERGY.

THESE SIX CAMPAIGNS ARE SIMILAR TO MAYOR JACKSON'S SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS.

I GOT ON THE BALLOT BECAUSE I'M DIFFERENT.

I'VE GOT THE WORK ETHIC AND THE PLATFORM OF FINALLY CLEVELANDERS HAVE THE POWER.

THANK YOU.

RICK: THANK YOU FOR AN ENLIGHTENING AND ENJOYABLE 90 MINUTES.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE FIRST OF TWO MAYORAL DEBATES IN THIS PRIMARY ELECTION CYCLE IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

THIS DEBATE WAS PRODUCED BY IDEASTREAM PUBLIC MEDIA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY CLUB OF CLEVELAND.

OUR MEDIA PARTNERS ARE THE PRESS CLUB OF CLEVELAND AND NEO-SOJO NORTHEAST OHIO SOLUTIONS JOURNALISM COLLABORATIVE.

OUR THANKS TO THE CANDIDATES FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS DEBATE AND TO ALL THE VOTERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO SUBMITTED QUESTIONS.

VOTING IN THIS PRIMARY BEGINS AUGUST 17TH.

THAT'S NEXT TUESDAY.

WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER DEBATE THAT SAME EVENING.

CANDIDATES WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS AGAIN, FROM MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, ON EDUCATION, JOBS, THE ECONOMY, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND TRANSPORTATION.

I'M RICK JACKSON.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, AND GOOD NIGHT.

♪