V. Hugh Lewis II/Jefferson Jimplecute
Early voting started Monday but Jefferson’s mayoral candidates answered questions and spoke with about 40 residents last Thursday evening in a forum sponsored by the Jimplecute. As of end of voting on Thursday, only 73 out of over 1400 registered voters had cast a ballot.
Gary Amburn and Patricia Finstrom are vying for the position and both expressed the desire to focus on City needs during their potential terms.
“I believe in doing the right thing and saying what you believe in and following through with that. The problems we have here are very, very simple,” said Amburn.
“Everyone is going to have to rally together. I’m mainly interested in our infrastructure – our sewer and our streets. We need to get back to the basics and just do those things,” said Finstrom.
Both candidates expressed the desire to hire a City Administrator to help lead the City moving forward.
Candidates were asked a series of questions over about 45 minutes and had similar positions.
As neither candidate has personally attended many City Council meetings in the past, both said they’d kept up with what’s happening in the City via the Jimplecute and watching the various meetings Online.
The implementation of a Quiet Zone turned on costs for both candidates. Amburn expressed approval of a quiet zone, due to tourism, and Finstrom felt there were better ways to spend those same funds. Both agreed that more information was needed before moving forward.
“At the price it would take I just don’t think it’s feasible,” said Finstrom, and cited the increased danger.
“A quiet zone would be nice, and I’m certainly tired of the noise there, but it comes back to Council and citizens,” Amburn said.
Planning and Zoning received tentative approval from both candidates with Amburn wanting to utilize a City Administrator to help enforce ordinances. Finstrom expressed concerns over who would enforce what’s passed, citing how the police department doesn’t have resources and time to enforce zoning.
On whether to leave vacant or appoint someone to fill the Alderman Ward 3 seat no one one filed for, both candidates a greed that Council should appoint someone and not leave the seat vacant.
“They need representation just like everyone else,” said Finstrom.
“I agree, but this Council needs to decide what they want to do,” Amburn said.
Combining the Chamber and the Tourism department was also discussed.
“I see no problem with it,” Amburn said.
“It needs to be looked at in the budget,” said Finstrom.
Neither candidate expressed desire to change anything in any of the City departments, and didn’’ see any problems in any of the departments.
The need for a new City Hall and Fire Station garnered support from both candidates.
“I think we need a new city all and fire station. y concerns are where we’re going to put it and how we’re going to pay for it,” Amburn said. “Grants, grants, grants.”
Finstrom agreed that we’ve got to have a new city hall. “The property was bought several years ago and I don’t see why we don’t put it there.” She also expressed the desire to not locate City Hall and the Fire Station in downtown due to concerns when events have streets closed.
Equality across the City was a topic of discussion.
“You shouldn’t have to encourage it,” Finstrom said. “Everybody should have the same water, sewer, streets. We just have to treat everybody the same.”
“There is an equality in the city and we just need to be honest and get things done. What we do for one section, we need to do for the others,” said Amburn.
Finstrom’s husband, Jim, is currently the City’s Municipal attorney, representing the City in Municpal Court. She said she did not see it as a conflict of interest but if it was, then it’s be easy to resolve as he’d resign.
Amburn was asked about rumors he intends to replace JPD Chief Florentino Perez with former chief Jason Carroll who resigned.
“I have full faith in Chief Perez,” Amburn said. “He’s my man. I believe in everything he’s done and everything he’s trying to do. He’s my man and until he really messes up bad, he’s still there. I don’t see any reason for anyone to try and replace Tino.”
Early Voting continues through Tuesday at the Elections Building on N. Alley Street and at the Tax Office on Lafayette Street.
Election Day is on May 4, at the Elections Building.
Watch the full forum on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpATAs8XdcI