(Ed note – We used the hashtag #phxforum to capture all the tweets associated with the evening. If you’d like to see what the night looked like without our curation, search Twitter.
Follow the link to watch the Mayoral Forum video in its entirety. You will need Silverlight.)
Mayoral Forum
On June 13, we, along with Phoenix Community Alliance and several other community groups, hosted the Mayoral Forum for a Greater Downtown Phoenix. All six of the mayoral candidates attended and answered questions gathered from the local community.
What follows is a Tweet story (a Twitter transcript) of the evening. Just like a Twitter feed, you’ll find the most recent Tweets at the top of the page. Go to the bottom of this post to follow the event from the opening remarks.
Special thanks
To the candidates: Anna Brennan, Wes Gullett, Claude Mattox, Peggy Neely, Greg Stanton and Jennifer Wright. And, to Taz Loomans (@BloomingRock) for firing off such quick and informative Tweets.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Brennan closing: lobbyists and career politicians suck, she’ll dig deep and fight for you.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Gullett closing: he’s a business guy, Stanton has great ideas, who’s going to pay for them? The taxpayers.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox closing: council has been involved in making DT better. You need people who know what they’re doing, unlike Wright Brennan
BloomingRock
#phxforum Stanton’s closing advocate for DT as a neighborhood, strong public schools
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wrights closing: 5 decades of failed planning, defined crazy, let’s get govt put of the way
Closing statements . . . approximately 6:55pm.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox supports west extension, agrees with Gullett on need for better Station area planning
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox: uses transit on a regular basis (kinda) we’re 150% above projections on LR
BloomingRock
#phxforum Gullett: we shouldn’t invest in more LR extensions until we get more ROI on current LR
BloomingRock
#phxforum Brennan: LR is a money loser but good for the environment, we need bile lanes, different modes of transportation
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wright:LR doesn’t work for Phx! It’s always empty (wha????)
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wright: public transit big pRt of how she got around ( even though she’s never taken LR)
BloomingRock
#phxforum Stanton on public transit, LR’s west valley alignment: supports the LR extensions, wants better bus transit system, more options
Q11: What do you see as the future of public transportation in the Phoenix area? Briefly include your view of Light Rail and its proposed West Valley alignment.
dtphxjournal
Gullet: My dad was a firefighter. Unions have a place, the failure is with the management. #phxforum
BloomingRock
#phxforum Gullett: I don’t have any union support and I have more signs than Mattox and Stanton.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Brennan: hates the unions! Calls out Mattox and Stanton’s union support.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wright: Police and fire unions aren’t necessarily making us safer.
dtphxjournal
Stanton: Police/fire unions do more than labor management. They focus on the safety of their members. #phxforum
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely on police and firefighter unions: they are vital we need a balanced approach
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox: agrees with Gullett, resents being called a union totie. Says no one cares about unions when they need a cop.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely on police and firefighter unions: they are vital we need a balanced approach.
Q10: Are police and fire fighter unions a positive element in city government?
BloomingRock
#phxforum Gullett: we have to get a grip on our costs, do it with labor negotiations, both sides, including employees have to give
BloomingRock
#phxforum Brennan: we can’t have our unions dictate what our budget is, we need to address our city managers position. Cavazos has failed!
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely: come 2012 wages go back to pre-furlough times, tough decisions coming, we have to control our pensions
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wright: make sure payscales at the City are in line with private sector
phxcommal
Greg Stanton, partnering with our employees is the best way to solve these issues with management #phxforum
BloomingRock
#phxforum Stanton: come to the table openly, continue good labor mngmt relations, don’t jeopardize in tough times
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely: come 2012 wages go back to pre-furlough times, tough decisions coming, we have to control our pensions
AndrewKnoc
mattox: next contract negotiations begin next yr, between unions and city mgr/staff. #phxforum
Q9: How will you address future contract negotiations for staff pay increases?
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox on future staff pay increases: merit needs to be based on merit
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wrights fav moment: wedding at San Carlos ( she got it right this time)
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely’s fav moment: the Olympic torch run
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox’s fav moment in DT: Rock & Roll Marathon. Way to go on being a musician!
BloomingRock
#phxforum Gullett on fav moment in DT Phx: Game 6 of the World Series
Q8: What is your favorite moment or memory in Downtown Phoenix?
AndrewKnoc
which one of you is going to spend political capital on expanding public art programs? #phxforum
BBloomingRock
#phxforum Wright: believes in arts and culture, but does not want gov in the arts (Goldwater speak)
BloomingRock
#phxforum Stanton: we can’t let the arts be the easy cut!
BloomingRock
#phxforum Stanton: arts and smart economic dev go hand in hand. Outside investors look for a vibrant arts and culture community.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox: art makes a city more attractive, firmly supports the arts. They are underfunded. Explained percent for the arts.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Gullett: public art should not be funded through general fund (yikes!)
BloomingRock
#phxforum Brennan on city support of the arts: she supported local artists at her restaurant. Not in favor of public art!!!
BloomingRock
#phxforum Gullett: we need a more robust public art program to create real art investment like Denver.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely: we have shortfall in being able to maintain our arts program. Touted MIM.
Q7: Do you support city funding of arts and cultural activities in the City of Phoenix? If so, what is your opinion of the current rate of contribution? If no, how do you propose these activities be supported here in Phoenix?
exit2lef
Lots of talk about shade in #dtphx, but shade happens naturally with dense urban development. Doesn’t need so much special effort. #phxforum
PhxDowntowner
@StantonforMayor is the only #phxmayor candidate that mentioned street-level design in the walkability question #phxforum
rhondabannard
Walkability important for downtown, shade too. #phxforum Why do we not folo the urban form plan?
AndrewKnoc
How does Cityscape reflect good urban design?! #phxforum
BloomingRock
#phxforum Stanton: it’s a false choice between economic dev and a dense DT. Walkability bikeability are good for economic dev
PhxDowntowner
interestingly, Neely seems to understand urban parking policy at least a little bit #phxforum
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely: the DT Urban Form does not have lots of parking, but we don’t need another parking garage (agreed!)
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox: we need shade for walkability but the DT urban form code is a function of the economy
BloomingRock
#phxforum Gullett: how do we pay for the implementation of the DT Urban Form code? Right now we can’t do it.
PhxDowntowner
Brennan admits to knowing nothing of the Urban Form Code #phxforum and proves she knows nothing about urban dynamics when discussing parking
BloomingRock
#phxforum Brennan not familiar with the DT Form Code. Agrees with Wright, plenty of parking, we need more plazas.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wright on Urban Form and parking: we have plenty of parking, not enough walkability (changing her tune a bit)
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely: the DT Urban Form is a great plan. We Do not drive dev, but we can have guidelines
Q6: What is your opinion of the Urban Form Code Project and what policies will you enact to balance parking demand in the Downtown Core with the Urban Plan’s goals of a walkable, sustainable downtown?
PhxDowntowner
Brennan & Neely say we need to take inventory of our vacant City-owned land. um, i can tell you where all of it is in #dtphx… #phxforum
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox: we need a true urban planner to be able to mix residential with biz. House flippers suck…
BloomingRock
#phxforum Gullett: agrees on need for inventory. We can’t tear down existing bldgs (here here!) we need public private partnerships
BloomingRock
#phxforum Brennan: we need a real property inventory, we don’t have the money to operate what we have. Sell what we don’t need
phxcommal
Wright: Make sure we are not driving the businesses to outlying cities. #phxforum
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wright: we need to make sure property taxes are low for existing spaces, let’s stop building new (good point)
BloomingRock
#phxforum Stanton: we need to be smart about selling off the vacant land
Q5: The City has hundreds of parcels of land under City ownership and control – in downtown and throughout the city limits. How can the City look at a better approach to dispose of property holdings to encourage development and to eliminate the City as a vacant land owner in these neighborhoods?
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wright: holding up magazine says housing doesn’t bring people DT, jobs do.
exit2lef
Interesting to hear Stanton say Midtown high-rise district should not have been allowed long ago due to siphoning effect on #dtphx #phxforum
BloomingRock
#phxforum Stanton: we need to have smart land use policy in the rest of the city to have a strong DT. City North was a bad thing for DT!
BloomingRock
#phxforum Brennan: let’s learn from Europe, we need plazas and affordable housing
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely on housing and job creation in the central city: we need to get businesses to help with TOD, we need multiple use dev
PhxDowntowner
Brennan gives confusing answer that shows she doesn’t understand just how dynamic urban design & environments are #phxforum!
Q4: The City and State have historically relied on single family home construction as its primary economic engine. Given the national and local economic climate, what measures or specific plans can you talk about tonight that would focus on housing and job creation in the central city?
BloomingRock
#phxforum Brennan: we need education on the importance of buying locally! Decrease tax burden, take away union privileges
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wright: small biz is the life blood of our country. Right now Phx is NOT small biz friendly
dtphxjournal
Neely: PHX needs to change the procurement process to include local business. #phxforum
phxcommal
Neely, PHX needs all businesses, lrg, med, & small. Local business is able to strive if the urban form code is moved forward. #phxforum
phxcommal
Mattox prefers local business over chains. Says City of Phoenix did a dismal job of using local business. #phxforum
dtphxjournal
Stanton: @localfirstaz is right. Focus on local business. #phxforum
Q3: How do you intend to support and encourage small business?
samuelisaac
As someone familiar with the process, I can attest that @wesgullett is right about the dire need to update the plan. #phxforum
prhondabannard
Regional approach needed…ok why haven’t you done it while on council? #phxforum race for mayor of #Phoenix
phxcommal
Neely: #phoenix must compete against other regional cities. #phxforum
JeremyBrowning
#Phxforum is better than #CNNDebate
AndrewKnoc
but how, mr. mattox, do we “attract businesses?” #phxforum that’s not a plan.
BloomingRock: #phxforum Mattox on economic dev: reach out to existing biz to retain them. Then Go out and attract new biz.
phxcommal
Gullett: We need a strategic plan update. #phxforum
Q2: How important are City Economic Development strategies? And what are yours?
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wright: city is not well managed. (holding up the budget) we need a system for manager to be held accountable
BloomingRock
#phxforum Stanton: the city is a strong institution but is not perfect, we need more transparency. For strong labor agreements.
AndrewKnoc
but how, mr. mattox, do we “attract businesses?” #phxforum that’s not a plan.
exit2lef
Neely is “very supportive” of the city manager form of government, but I wonder if PHX has outgrown that & needs a stronger mayor. #phxforum
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely: loves the city manager form of govt. We can’t sustain our budget. We can’t continue to borrow.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox: yes the city is well managed. We have great employees. We have to respect existing labor agreements.
BloomingRock
#phxforum Gullett: City of Phx has strong management but has some serious problems. Need more transparency, hates the water rate increase.
BloomingRock
#phxforum is the city of Phx well managed? Brennan: No! Food tax sucks. We need to address the union issues.
AndrewKnoc
when do contract negotiations w/ the union begin, mr. mattox? what does “the near future” mean? #phxforum
samuelisaac
RT @newantt: My stream is full of GOP #CNNdebate and #phxforum tweets… << Love it! #civicparticipationFTW
PhxDowntowner
Brennan is asked if #phx is well managed. She answers question solely on budget instead. #phxforum #avoidingthequestion
Q1: Is the City of Phoenix well-managed – both fiscally and from a personnel standpoint?
phxcommal
Stanton says he is a “passionate advocate” for downtown. #phxforum
AndrewKnoc
stanton is first to mention CityNorth. #phxforum
rhondabannard
Downtown should be the heartbeat of this city, Neely says. Really. Not sure I’ve ever seen her at a #downtown event. #phxforum
BloomingRock
#phxforum Neely listing ALL the biz she’s brought to town
BloomingRock
#phxforum Peggy Neely: we are distinctly different, describes herself as a strong decisive leader with a proven track record
BloomingRock
#phxforum Mattox: strong neighborhoods, quality schools, career jobs, been on City Council for 11 yrs
BloomingRock
#phxforum Wes Gullett: we’ve got to get the economy going again
BloomingRock
#phxforum Anna Brennan not a lobbyist not an attorney, daughter of immigrants, was nurse, flight attendant, restauranteur in DT Phx
Opening statements . . . approximately 5:20pm
rhondabannard
Lots of folks and cameras here for Phoenix mayor debate. Folo #phxforum
dtphxjournal
The candidates are seated and we’re kicking off! #phxforum
geneurban n
Getting ready for the mayor debate at #phxforum.
dtphxjournal
The room is filling up! #phxforum
jimmcp
Gearing up for #phxforum. Are you? Let the debate of the 6 mayoral candidates begin: Brennan, Gullett, Mattox, Neely, Stanton & Wright.
