Around two dozen Brentwood residents came from various wards to ask questions of mayoral candidate Mark Wilson Saturday at the home of Rich and Cheryl Emery Saturday afternoon.
Wilson answered questions about commercial development versus maintaining and developing a “sense of community.” One resident said she doesn’t want any more “boxes on an asphalt lot.”
Wilson emphasized that a complete plan is needed before any areas such as the Manchester corridor or the Brentwood Boulevard and Litzsinger Road area can be developed.
He said he met with Chief of Police Dan Fitzgerald, who told him he’d like two or three more officers, and more training. Wilson said large commercial areas like Brentwood Square or the Promenade can open the city to increased crime.
Wilson also said Fitzgerald told him he’s working to improve the city’s conditions with the shared East Central Dispatch Center. He said the switch to the dispatch center should have been better vetted.
Wilson said the city and school district could share resources, and suggested a public relations person could handle the job for both. Currently the school has none, and the city’s is part time.
With many issues, Wilson said, “it comes down to better management and accountability.”
Mayoral candidate, Patrick Toohey announced on Facebook, a “Meet the Candidate” event at O.B. Clark’s (1921 S. Brentwood Boulevard) Monday, March 23, from 5 to 8 p.m. He says food and beverages will be complimentary.
See also: Brentwood mayoral candidate forum set
Christopher Thornton, the third mayoral candidate, emailed 40 South News that he’s scheduled a number of meetings at the Brentwood Community Center and the Brentwood Library for citizens to meet, ask questions and voice concerns. Those dates will be posted on 40 South News.
That would be great!
My Widfe and I were at the event for Mark Wilson this Saturday and Pat Toohey last night and we plan to be at at least one for Chris Thorton. I may even attend several. I think that all residents in Brentwood should get to know all the candidates before making a decision and casting thier vote. Get to know all the candidates and ask the questions you want answered that will benefit our city. Who ever is elected will have his work cut out for him for sure
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John, you are absolutely right and I apologize to the other candidates for expressing my strong preference for Mark Wilson. In my mind, I had a “needs list” I considered crucial to keeping Brentwood a progressive, yet resident oriented hometown. Right out of the gate, Mark very satisfactorily addressed every issue, one after one. But you are right and I was too candid about my preference. People generally should hear from all the candidates. Thank you for the correction.
line 4 “one after one” should be “one after another”
I have trouble getting out. It would be good if any debates are held, to have then transcribed and sent to this publication or another, so people with poor mobility can see how the candidates differ in their views
Jerry, I agree. The City also has the ability to record the event and post it on the City web site.
John and Jerry – I checked with Bola, who said the mayoral forum isn’t a city event, so the city won’t video record it. 40 South is considering making a small investment to do this.
That is a shame. The most important election in the past 20 years and residents that cannot make it will not be able to see the candidates and where they stand on the issues. I will calling my current alderman to request to have this filmed and put on Brentwood TV and You Tube.
You can easily find a student on Craigs who would shoot the event and post it to YouTube for a handful of $$. A candidate campaign could pay for it and expense it or a citizen could fund it as a donation to a candidate. Problem solved. If Kelly were in the race they’d have the city “communications” genius do it.
Perhaps I understand that the Forum is not sponsored by the City but to the Citizens of the community it is absolutely an important City event. If the goal is to serve the citizens, recording and posting this important event seems only logical.
You might also inquire about the Brentwood Shuttle Bus as they I would hope it would be running to take those who have issues with Mobily or Transportation.
Rich & I would like to thank all those who attended the gathering to meet Mark. We actually had more than twice as many people RSVP, but due to weather and personal circumstances, some did not make it! It was nice to see so many people interested in the welfare of our community!
Cheryl, I am voting for Mark Wilson, and putting a sign in my yard. Can you please put me on your list should you decide to do this again? I was ill for the meeting with all three candidates, but would really like to know how that went.
Mark is the candidate who puts residents first and has “Brentwood citizens” at the heart of everything he has says. With new aldermen and a new mayor, like Mark Wilson, the animosity that has been the hallmark of this administration will die a natural death, and we won’t learn of bad decisions after they have been made.