UIndy to host mayoral debate
The University of Indianapolis has been chosen to host the Oct. 15 mayoral debate, which will be televised locally on WTHR Channel 13.
Interested spectators must have registered at WTHR.com to attend. When registering, they had to submit a question of their own that might be asked at the debate.
Indianapolis will be holding its mayoral elections on Nov. 8, 2011. This election process includes a series of debates.
Incumbent Republican candidate Greg Ballard has held the office for three years.
His competitor, former deputy mayor Democratic candidate Melina Kennedy, has risen to prominence as a strong supporter of small businesses with a strong passion for public safety.
Both parties have focused on ways to improve the Indianapolis education system and help restore confidence in public safety units within the city during their campaigns.
Kennedy has focused on trying to improve the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. It has recently been publicized that she was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police.
Her plan involves getting more police officers back to their beats, the areas in which they have been trained and certified.
Kennedy has stated that decreasing crime and enhancing public safety is key to improving other issues around the city.
Ballard has had a decrease in crime during his time as mayor.
President of the College Republicans Mark Meadows believes that some of the issues [recent incidents within IMPD, such as controversial crash involving David Bisard] within the system are some of the disadvantages Ballard has coming into this race.
“Some of the problems with IMPD have put him [Ballard] in a negative light, whether or not it’s the direct effect of his administration,” Meadows said.
Another focus has been on public schools within Indianapolis.
Recent legislation on charter schools has brought the schools to statewide attention.
Ballard has focused his attention on this legislation and trying to encourage meaningful expansion to programs that can improve the system.
According to an entry on Kennedy’s website, she wants to improve dropout rates, which will help decrease crime.
Ballard has outlined some of his other main topics of interest on his website.
One of his focus points is to help improve neighborhoods to help inhabitants feel safe.
His priority has been to improve the quality of life within the neighborhoods.
Both candidates intend to bring and sustain jobs in Indianapolis.
Ballard plans to help businesses grow and bring more jobs to the city. His plan has looked at businesses of all sizes and ways that they can expand to create jobs.
Kennedy is a small business owner and is looking to help that market expand. She believes small businesses are the key to job growth within the city.
President of the UIndy College Democrats, Mustafizur Prodhan, believes that Kennedy’s experience with small businesses will help her excel in this plan.
“She [Kennedy] brings to the table the want to have growth in small businesses because she owns a small business,” Prodhan said.
Meadows also believes that Ballard’s ability to sustain jobs will give him an advantage.
“He [Ballard] has sustained growth [in jobs] in a bad economy,” Meadows said.
Some of Kennedy’s other focus points are on the culture of Indianapolis.
Many other focus points can be found on their official websites. The 2011 Mayoral race will likely focus on the issues of public safety and education.
The debate on Oct. 15 will be held from 8-9 p.m. in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center. Audience members must check in by 6:30 p.m. in order to receive nametags and need to be seated no later than 7:30 p.m.
The following debate will be held on October 23 at 9 p.m. and broadcasted in full by WISH-TV 8.
