ATLANTA — The top 8 candidates for Atlanta mayor had a fiery and passionate answers at WSB-TV's debate.
Channel 2 Action News and the Atlanta Police Foundation hosted the debate on Sunday just weeks before the election to replace Kasim Reed. The debate focused on public safety, transportation, education and the economy.
Atlanta Mayoral DebateSafety. Education. Transportation. The issues that impact Atlanta's future -- Watch the Atlanta Mayoral Debate: http://2wsb.tv/2gwyskH
Posted by WSB-TV on Sunday, October 22, 2017
The debate ends.
Thanks for tuning in to the #ATLMayor debate. A RECAP of what happened coming up NEXT on Channel 2 Action News. pic.twitter.com/cmBHA8P566
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
WSB Radio's Condace Pressley asks Keisha Lance Bottoms about perception of corruption-free administration. Bottoms responded she has an un-blemished record.
Mary Norwood and Peter Aman sparred on who is at fault in the bribery scandal.
Norwood points out "Mr. Aman was the Chief Operating Officer when the first concession bids were sent back to the airport" (1/2) #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/0XdWqO6hDh
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
Norwood adds "We need a new day at City Hall" (2/2) #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/TZU81InUfM
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
Aman responds to Norwood saying "That's not an accurate statement. Don't rewrite history." #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/cA5oYtEehh
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
Channel 2's Justin Farmer asks about the Atlanta City Hall Bribery Scandal. Peter Aman said the mayor needs to work on corruption.
On bribery scandal, Aman: "It starts with the mayor. The mayor needs to work every day on corruption." #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/RkucjLwMjp
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
Channel 2's Dave Huddleston asks Cathy Woolard what plan she would implement for the needs for young people who have already gotten into trouble. Woolard responded by saying that there are community centers, after-school programs and mentorships available for kids in trouble.
Woolard: We need mentorships and programs to help our young people. #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/GKBD4IrrZl
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
Justin Farmer asks John Eaves about the police and the community: What can the police do better? Eaves responded by saying civilians should have a board to hold officers accountable.
Eaves says "The most important thing we need is a civilian review board to hold police accountable" #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/im0xSJVtcI
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
Channel 2's Justin Farmer asks the candidates about how Atlanta treats people with mental illness. Kwanza Hall responded by saying "we need to re-engage around mental illness" and we have to go back and figure out local solutions.
.@kwanzahall answers question about a mental health in Atlanta. #ATLmayor pic.twitter.com/c5uQx2kG3f
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
Channel 2's Justin Farmer asks about what to do about repeat offenders. Keisha Lance Bottoms responded by saying "we need to take a tougher stance" on the re-entry program.
On repeat offenders, Lance Bottoms says "If they are violent offenders, we have to lean in on our judges and probation officers" #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/hXji1wSsld
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
The AJC's Greg Bluestein asked some of the candidates how they would have responded to the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Atlanta last year. Vincent Fort responded by saying he was out in the street with the demonstrators, and said helped raise money to bail the arrestees out. He said he wants the movement supported.
On Black Lives Matter, Fort says "I was on the street with young people with the Black Lives Matter movement, making sure they were safe" pic.twitter.com/xpTzeiam94
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
WSB Radio's Condace Pressley asked about specific ideas to help keep police officers in Atlanta. Ceasar Mitchell responds by saying that the boarded up homes, abandoned homes could be used to rent out to the officers.
Channel 2's Huddleston asked Keisha Lance Bottoms, Mary Norwood and Peter Aman about the building of a new public safety training center and why it hasn't been built yet despite talks of plans. Aman responded by saying he supports the facility but first find the funding before construction.
The #ATLmayor debate is talking about public safety and law enforcement
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
WATCH LIVE on Channel 2 & on https://t.co/LznruPVUQH pic.twitter.com/1Hu4IuUmTF
The AJC's Greg Bluestein asked Mary Norwood if Atlanta police racially-profiles potential suspects. Norwood said police officers have to look at crime patterns, but also that racial-profiling does exist in the city and in the country. She added she has not seen the racial-profiling from the police department that she's seen in other cities.
On if there is racial profiling within APD, Norwood says "I believe our officers are instructed to target crime where it's happening" pic.twitter.com/p5CDJnFlVx
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
WSB Radio's Condace Pressley asked every candidate about how they could increase the number of patrol cars in Atlanta.
"Atlanta needs to love its officers, they need housing incentives, training and facilities" -Cesar Mitchell #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/TVsP4XBbt7
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
Channel 2's Dave Huddleston asked Cathy Woolard and Vincent Fort about the Atlanta Police Foundation's report on the authorized strength of the Atlanta Police Department.
"City Hall was tasked with bringing police salaries up to par and they failed" - Vincent Fort #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/LtoiwxPOLv
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
Candidates are responding to questions about law enforcement and how to keep officers in Atlanta.
"We need to get our officers the pay they deserve" - Mary Norwood #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/Zh0Wx9FrDE
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
We're live! The candidates for Atlanta mayor are debating on WSB-TV
Get to a TV. 📺
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 22, 2017
The #ATLMayor Debate is on NOW on Channel 2. pic.twitter.com/TvI3ntmNum
The candidates are ready for the debate!
Candidates are arriving at the WSB-TV studios to prepare for the debate.
The candidates are ready! Tune in now to @wsbtv or @wsbradio #ATLMayor pic.twitter.com/A9LG00CpBo
— Atlanta Police Fdn (@atlpolicefdn) October 22, 2017
Microphone check 1,2 what is this? Where is @MarkArum @FBlankenshipWSB when you need them?#debate #soundcheck #atlmayor #oneATL @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/0kIdtP4yvx
— Ceasar Mitchell (@ceasarcmitchell) October 22, 2017
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