Yesterday I had two questions submitted from the public. Both were pointed and only for one candidate. One question was to be directed to Wiggins, the other towards Hayward. In both instances, I rejected the question for the Chamber forum because the goal wasn’t to play “gotcha” and go after one candidate over another.
Here are the questions from yesterday. I divided them into three categories – City Charter, City Policies, Economy:
CITY CHARTER
1. CITY CHARTER
a) You took different positions on the new city charter. Why did you take your position?
b) What is a strong mayor?
c) What would you change in the charter?
2. CODE OF ETHICS
The City Council shall, upon adoption of this Charter, enact by ordinance a Code of Ethics for all elected and appointed officers and employees of the City which shall set standards of conduct equal to or stronger than the standards of conduct established by law. Why have you made this part of your platform?
3. WHAT MUST BE IN THE CODE OF ETHICS?
4. DOUBLE STANDARD
City Council gave vote of confidence to Rusty Wells, tabled motion to do the same for the fire fighters. Is there a double standard?
5. HIRE/FIRE
How will you go about developing your management team?
6. CITY HALL
a) How will it be different under your leadership?
b) How will you improve customer service at City Hall?
CITY POLICIES
7. PENSIONS – $13 million a year – enough to build a world class community center or library every year. What’s your plan for dealing with Pensions?
8. PROPERTY TAXES
What are your plans for property taxes?
9. PENSACOLA PROMISE
Do you support Pensacola Promise? Why/Why not?
10. WEST SIDE PLAN
What can we do to jump-start that plan?
11. CONSOLIDATION
Do have any plans for functional consolidation? What are they?
ECONOMY
12. PORT OF PENSACOLA
What are your plans for the Port?
13. ROLE
What is the role of Mayor in economic development?
14. NOURISH BUSINESS
How do plan to nourish local businesses?
15. DISPARITY
The 2009 Small Business Enterprise study revealed that minority-owned businesses were awarded only 1 percent of the total dollars expended by the City. Eight African American firms were utilized. How can you as mayor improve this disparity?
16. FIRST 100 DAYS
Describe what we can expect your first 100 days.
17. DOWNTOWN HOUSING
How can the mayor help promote the development of housing downtown that is affordable to a broader spectrum?
18. BP
a) How the City handled the BP Oil Disaster
b) What will you do as mayor to deal with BP from here forward?
c) Position on off-shore drilling?
19. MAIN STREET SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
What is your plan for that site.