Mayor hopefuls talk issues at forum

By D. E. Smoot
Phoenix Staff Writer

March 26, 2008 12:39 am

— Five of the six candidates jockeying to be Muskogee’s next mayor fielded questions Monday from about 100 people who attended the Phoenix-sponsored mayoral debate.
The concerns of the electorate, based upon the questions asked, ranged from downtown revitalization plans and infrastructural needs to business signs and the homeless.
A sixth candidate, Robert Eugene Thomas, previously said he would not be participating in the debate.
The candidates’ responses were sometimes concise, at other times vague or unresponsive. All five candidates, however, expressed great hope for Muskogee’s future and want to be a part of it.
With regard to downtown revitalization, all five candidates said any revitalization plan must address the needs of the entire city. As far as the downtown area goes, several candidates emphasized the need to find ways to help small businesses thrive.
Barney Taylor said he would attempt to match suitable franchise opportunities with local entrepreneurs who may be interested in licensing and operating a downtown business. Taylor also said the city and its partners should explore the possibility of sponsoring events throughout the summer months to promote downtown activities.
Former Mayor Hershel McBride, who said he is running again because he left “some things unfinished,” referred to the downtown area as “the heartbeat of Muskogee.” McBride said the city’s participation in the Main Street program will help city leaders and businesses access the expertise needed to promote a vibrant economic center.
Glynda Oliver said downtown Muskogee is “a good place to be already.” Oliver, however, said she would find ways for the city to offer seminars to small-business owners and bring in experts to help businesses find a niche in downtown Muskogee.
Muskogee’s infrastructural needs — bad roads, deteriorating water plant and inadequate stormwater and wastewater collection and transfer system — also got some attention from the mayoral candidates. All of them agreed the projects would be costly.
John Tyler Hammons, an Oklahoma University student who is kick-starting his political career by campaigning for mayor, argued for the use of new technology to assess the needs and then establish a plan of action.
“It’s only logical that things will break down,” Hammons said. “You have to stay on top of the problem” so it doesn’t become unmanageable.
Ron Venters Sr., a former city councilman who says his time has come to serve the city as mayor, said many of the infrastructural needs can be traced to a failure to adequately plan for growth.
“The focus should be on providing an opportunity to thrive for all citizens of Muskogee,” Venters said, noting the need for adequate infrastructure to make that happen. “That has to take place in all quadrants of the city.”
While most of the questioning was broad enough to elicit responses from all five candidates who participated in Monday night’s debate, a couple appeared to target outgoing Mayor Wren Stratton’s predecessor.
McBride defended his use of portable signs to advertise his business. He also said he plans to plant flowers around the permanent poles upon which his portable sign now sits.
“I mortgaged everything but my kids to open my own business,” McBride said. “I did everything I had to do to pay off the business in three years.”
Venters, who said the sign at the church he co-founded conforms with the city code, said he sees the value of signs to businesses. But, he qualified his remarks.
“As a tourist, one might think this place is filthy with signs,” Venters said. “Surely there is a happy medium, but personally, I could do without so many signs.”
Hammons, who said he brings with him “no baggage” and “no fights to fight,” said he would work for the will of the people on the sign issue and others.
“I’m a fresh slate,” Hammons said. “Write your opinions on my slate, and I will work for you.”
Taylor said he understands the value of signs to businesses but acknowledged there is a problem with signs that are not maintained or promote nothing new. Oliver passed on the question.
One questioner pressed the candidates about whether Stratton’s successor would continue her work with the Mayor’s Task Force on the Homeless.
Taylor and several colleagues said homelessness is a problem that can be attributed to state and federal policy decisions with which cities are forced to deal. Only three candidates, Venters, Hammons and Oliver, vowed to continue Stratton’s efforts without reservation. McBride said any future efforts should be done in such a way that doesn’t encourage the homeless to relocate in Muskogee. Taylor said the problem needs to be addressed but believes the state and federal government is better equipped to deal with the issue.
The only question that directly addressed the City of Muskogee Foundation focused on the City Council’s decision to wait until after next week’s election before deciding on how best to select the foundation’s directing board. All five said that was the right decision.

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