SPOKANE, Wash. — Four Spokane mayoral candidates participated in the first public forum of the 2019 race on Thursday night.
Community radio station KYRS hosted the forum from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Downtown Library. Candidates Ben Stuckart, Shawn Poole, Jonathan Bingle and Kelly Cruz participated.
Mayoral candidate and former news anchor Nadine Woodward did not participate in the forum due to a previously scheduled event.
RECAP:
6:40 p.m. Candidates introduce themselves
6:49 p.m. Candidates asked if they would have voted on $6 million budget to put in an iconic footbridge [The university district pedestrian bridge] knowing the city has major street issues.
Jonathan Bingle said he would have voted for it but he doesn't know enough about the footbridge project.
Kelly Cruz said he would.
Shawn Poole said he wouldn't.
Ben Stuckart did vote for it.
6:54 p.m. Candidates asked: How are you planning to deal with the housing and zoning issues?
Kelly Cruz said we need to look at a regional plan for affordable housing.
Shawn Poole said the local government needs to help with affordable housing.
Ben Stuckart said the city hasn't implemented their plan yet.
Jonathan Bingle said there's plenty of land to build on in Spokane. He also wanted minimum wage workers to know that they can work toward taking a job that would pay they more.
7:00 p.m. Candidates asked: What would you do to protect the environment?
Shawn Poole applauded the city for their work to keep the Spokane River clean and to reduce carbon emissions.
Ben Stuckart agreed with Poole.
Jonathan Bingle said Spokane needs to continue to find innovative ways to save energy.
Kelly Cruz said Spokane needs to incentivise clean energy.
7:04 p.m. Candidates asked: Do you support a new jail and why?
Ben Stuckart said we need a new jail. He said we need to put misdemeanors in a separate location.
Jonathan Bingle said he would support a new jail.
Kelly Cruz said a municipal jail would be a bad idea due to cost.
Shawn Poole said he's a fan of Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and he agrees that Spokane needs a new jail.
7:08 p.m. Candidates asked: What will you do to make Spokane a sanctuary city for the unborn?
Jonathan Bingle said he doesn't think this is an issue that can be dealt with at a local level. He is pro-life.
Kelly Cruz said he is also pro-life.
Shawn Poole said he is pro-life and thinks we need to invest in abstinence education.
Ben Stuckart said he is proud of his support for Planned Parenthood. He said, "A woman's body is a woman's body."
7:10 p.m. Candidates asked: How will you keep the downtown area safe?
Kelly Cruz said we need to hold people committing crimes downtown accountable. He said we need to make Alleyways a friendly place to walk through.
Shawn Poole said he would enforce the law. "We have laws for a reason," he said. He mentioned New York City's efforts to make the area safer.
Ben Stuckart said crime is down and business is booming. He blamed the political season impacts people's perception of the downtown area. "Embrace how awesome we are," he said.
Jonathan Bingle said we need more police presence in Downtown and the area is getting better.
7:15 p.m. Candidates asked: How can Spokane become part of the climate change efforts?
Shawn Poole said he doesn't buy into climate change.
Ben Stuckart said the city is going to meet more with the sustainability group.
Jonathan Bingle said he doesn't believe in government overreach related to climate change.
Kelly Cruz said the marginalized people would take a hit by any government oversight.
7:21 p.m. Candidates asked: What's your greatest weakness?
Ben Stuckart said he is too direct sometimes.
Jonathan Bingle said he is good at listening to understand people. He said he doesn't believe he has a weakness.
Shawn Poole said when he gets passionate about something he wants to go, go, go.
7:25 p.m. Candidates asked: How do you feel about people looking down on people living on the streets?
Jonathan Bingle said he thinks it's admirable for someone who is putting their all into changing their circumstances.
Kelly Cruz said he personally has help a man who does his yard work find homeless resources.
Ben Stuckart said when someone is drowning, you pull them out of the water. He says we need more shelters to be open 24 hours a day. He said a bed isn't enough.
7:30 p.m. Candidates asked: What would you do to raise the average income?
Kelly Cruz said we're going to see a wage crisis in this town due to Amazon opening.
Shawn Poole said we need to give incentives to small businesses.
Ben Stuckart said we need to replicate the West Plains business area in northeast Spokane.
Jonathan Bingle said we need to work with the county in bringing jobs to the area.
7:39 p.m. Candidates asked: What would be your plan to deal with the problem of hate groups in the area?
Ben Stuckart said we can't be intimidated by these hate groups.
Jonathan Bingle said we have to need to educate people about equality and show people how are differences make us great.
Kelly Cruz said he agrees with Ben. We need to come together to speak out against hate.
Shawn Poole said there is no place in society for hate groups of any kind.
7:43 p.m. Candidates asked: Have you ever written a paycheck to understand a small business?
Jonathan Bingle said he has. He said we need good jobs and good industries and split some of the money with the county.
Kelly Cruz said we should promoting businesses to move north and work with small businesses. He has never written a paycheck but he is an entrepreneur and has worked for nothing.
Shawn Poole said he sympathizes with small business owners.
Ben Stuckart said he has helped small business owners to get rid of parking requirements.
7:52 p.m. Candidates wrap up
Ben Stuckart said he loves our small business centers and we can have it all. We should focus on manufacturing. He thinks Spokane is on the rise and he's running for mayor because he wants to continue that.
Shawn Poole said he doesn't think anyone is uniquely qualified to run for mayor. He said they need to have leadership experience and he has that. If he were mayor, he would make sure he was surrounded by smart people. He loves this city and moved back here to raise a family.
Kelly Cruz thanked Shawn Poole for his service to our country in the military. He said he is the only candidate who has worked with the city with problems and policy issues. He worked to change policies about where sex offenders live. He has been awarded by the city for his leadership in the community.
Jonathan Bingle said he wants to make Spokane a better place. He did so as a pastor. He gives his money to charities. He said he will always fight for people.
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