KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Fifteen candidates vying for the six city commission seats up for grabs on Nov. 3 took part in a debate at the Kalamazoo Public Library on Tuesday.
Longtime mayor Bobby Hopewell is being challenged by newcomer Kris Mbah in perhaps the most-watched race — the first separate election for mayor in nearly a century.
Mbah, a frequent critic of the city, said there are no visionaries on the commission, especially during this election cycle.
“When are we going to try something different, so that we can have a different result? We need to have real change, and not just say ‘change’ and ‘hope,’” Mbah said.
Bobby Hopewell said the public never sees all the work done by the mayor and the commission, because it involves building coalitions and then getting city staff to follow through.
“You have to work with the neighborhoods, you have to work with business-leaders, you have to work with folks with the state,” Hopewell said. “You have to be able to have conversations and bring people together.”
Commission candidates generally agreed on issues like poverty, hiring felons and development. Additionally, all were in favor of the housing millage, which will also appear on ballots this November.
The debate was filmed for cable access and should be viewable between now and the election.
– John McNeill
