Mayoral candidates answer questions at East Side meeting

Mayor Dayne Walling and his opponent Darryl Buchanan met at the East Side Business Association meeting Oct. 19 for a debate of questions submitted by the audience.

The candidates were first asked about the spike in crime in the city and what each candidate will do to reduce crime.

Buchanan said he would put police sergeants, lieutenants and captains on the streets.

"We need police on the street — not behind desks. Under my administration you will see them cruising the streets," Buchanan said. "You can't attract businesses when the crime rate is so high. We need to reduce crime and reduce the response time it takes police to get to the scene."

Walling said the current challenges with the economic crisis forced his administration to work with a smaller public safety staff.

"Solving crime is not as simple as hiring more officers. Crime is a complex problem. It takes jail space, prosecutors and, most recently, the FBI shots-spotter to solve this complicated challenge," Walling said.

In response to a question on how each candidate plans to hire more police and pay for them after the federal grant money expires, Walling said that 72 percent of the general fund budget is for public safety.

"We recently hired six more officers with grant funding," he said. "Maybe (we will hold) a millage proposal."

Buchanan hit on the rising number of homicides.

"In 2008, before the current administration took office and reduced the number of officers, we had 27 homicides," Buchanan said. "This year we have 66. I believe there is a direct connection between the spikes in violent crimes and the number of police officers. We have become known as the murder capital of the nation. We are a city with a crime crisis — people are dying. We need to get all the police on the streets. We don't have to wait for a grant — just put the sergeants, lieutenant and captains out there," Buchanan said.

Walling responded that the police department is significantly reducing their response time with programs like "cop-logic" which allows people to file their own police reports for nonviolent crimes allowing the police to focus on priority one offences. He explained that detectives need to be behind their desks doing their jobs to solve crimes.

With $50 million designated for the general fund, Walling was asked where the remaining $250 million of the $300 million budget is spent.

Walling replied that retirement funding for 3,000 retirees, pensions, health care and water and sanitation costs account for the remaining $250 million.

Buchanan countered that Walling spent far more then the $300 million because he had to borrow from the state. He said Walling's decisions resulted in lawsuits against the city. He pointed to the administration's decision to require employees to take days off without pay, which resulted in a costly lawsuit, and the recent $1 million Smith Village lawsuit filed by former contractors against the city because of their failure to follow HUD guidelines.

Buchanan said the budget is a complicated process. He invited people to participate in the budget hearings at the Flint City Council meetings.

Asked why the candidates would want to be mayor when the city is in so much financial distress, Buchanan said, "I love this city. I've studied economic systems of poor countries in Africa. I believe I can do an excellent job. I believe we can make this a place of prominence once again."

Walling said the city has passed along its problems from administration to administration.

"My opponents are part of the problem that keeps recycling. When I was elected two years ago I had to make tough and unpopular decisions," Walling said.

For example, he said, "I don't make a contract with a union with retroactive pay raises. I even cut my own pay and benefits."

Asked about the Smith Village development, Walling said he was proud of the progress they have made there. Having a new walkable neighborhood near downtown provides the city with another revenue base, he said.

Buchanan was critical of the development saying that the administration failed to follow HUD guidelines and the houses were prefabricated houses made in Indiana.

Walling was asked why build new homes in Smith Village when there are plenty of vacant homes for sale in the city.

Walling said NSP2 funds were used to create Smith Village as another housing option near the heart of the city.

Buchanan said he would rather have spent that money helping people with their mortgages.

Walling, asked about the possibility of a state emergency manager taking over, said a review of the city finances is now underway. He said there is a possibility that even with an emergency manager, the city would not lose complete control of its decisions if city council passed a consent agreement.

Buchanan said he did not support a state takeover.

"I believe in the constitutional right of citizens that each vote counts. Because this current administration did not follow the specified deficit reduction plan and because personnel cuts were not made, we are now on tract for a state takeover."

Asked what each candidate's position on the Genesee County Land Bank was, Buchanan said he thought it had done a great job, but it would have a lot more work to do.

"I will work with them to maintain the property they own. They have made a difference in the city, but they could still improve. I'd give them a 'B'," Buchanan said.

Walling said that vacant properties are not only a local problem in Flint, but they are becoming a national challenge.

"The land bank has been a strong partner with my administration in property maintenance," Walling said.

Walling concluded that people need to turn their attention to the future.

"This is the first time since 1960 that we have started working on a master plan for the city," Walling said. "There has not been a plan in place that shows how businesses and organizations can work together. There are no simple solutions. We can't do it by ourselves. We need to work together so much more can get done."

Buchanan said, "Dayne Walling didn't cause all our problems — he made them worse. I want to work with you to make this a better place. You can trust me to protect and serve you."

Association President Don Lada moderated the debate and offered biographical information about the candidates.

Lada said that Walling was born and raised in Flint and he graduated from Central High School and Michigan State University. The Sierra Club, AFL-CIO, Rep. Dale Kildee and the NAACP have endorsed the mayor for re-election.

He said candidate Buchanan is also a native of Flint, with an advanced degree in public administration from Western Michigan University. He has 25 years of public service and is endorsed by Flint City Councilman Sheldon Neeley and the other five losing primary candidates.