The three candidates for mayor met with Muncie residents at Kennedy Library for a Q&A-style town hall on Monday night.
Terry Whitt Bailey (D), Dan Ridenour (R) and Steve Smith (L) did not debate each other, but instead were asked questions on what policies they would enact in the next term by an audience of at least 50 people.
Included among the questions asked by the people were topics like the repair and upkeep of roads, air quality, police pay and oversight, Ball State’s rentals, unions and restorative justice.
When asked about the way he would address the quality of Muncie’s roads, Smith said the reason Muncie would not be able to pay for new roads was due to the way the budget was allocated.
He also said Muncie’s school system has produced fewer graduates that would fill jobs, attract employers and boost the economy and budget for things like roads.
“... it’s because we don’t have better schools, which we’ll never control because they want Ball State controlling them,” Smith said. “We don’t have anything to offer people besides ‘Hey, we got one high school, that’s an “F” school.’ Who’s investing in that?”
Terry Whitt Bailey (D) speaks during the audience Q&A session at the Kennedy Library on September 16. Bailey was one of three candidates who answered questions from Muncie residents on topics of their choice. John Lynch, DN
All three candidates were asked about the issues of police pay and police oversight. One concern voiced by residents and candidates alike was over the low pay of Muncie police officers, as the low pay often makes the officers consider taking jobs in other cities that pay more, leaving Muncie without experienced officers to train new ones.
Fewer experienced officers weaken the trust in the community, including the trust between minority groups and the police, said one resident when he asked how the candidates would address the problems with the police, particularly with the African American community.
“Yes, I will say that black lives matter, because all lives matter,” Bailey said. “That is how I say it: all lives do matter, but we want to make sure that our black young people are taken care of.”
Ridenour took a more discussion oriented approach to the topic of police interactions with the African American community, asking residents to sit down with him to discuss the problems facing Muncie’s police department, but on training and pay problems he said would take action on the issue.
“I will hold the police chief accountable to make sure that the officers are getting the training they need,” Rideonour said. “It's unacceptable, and it will not continue.”
Smith took a shot at Ridenour’s suggestions that residents should resolve their issues with him face to face over coffee, saying a simple conversation would not be enough to help disadvantaged people. He said his own experience and relationship with the African American community would make him more relatable and effective in interacting with the community.
Contact John Lynch with comments at jplynch@bsu.edu or on Twitter @WritesLynch.
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