On Tuesday, June 25th, the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates (NEBA) forum featuring Tallahassee city commission Seat 1 candidates, Commissioner Curtis Richardson and challenger Dot Inman- Johnson, revealed candidate positions on important issues and addressed the progressive versus moderate Democrat split on the city commission.
The divide between the candidates became obvious before the first question was asked. During opening statements, Inman-Johnson said she entered the race because she was embarrassed by actions and policies of the city commission. Richardson told the audience of about 150 that the city commission has made a lot of progress dealing with the economy and crime.
The Ideological Split
Moderator and NEBA President Hugh Tomlinson began the inquiry by asking Inman-Johnson if – as previous media reports have indicated – she is aligned ideologically with Commissioners Matlow and Commissioner Porter?
Inman-Johnson said her “passion and vision for the community” is in line with Matlow and Porter and she added she was going “to work to represent all the people of Tallahassee.”
When asked if she had disagreement with any Matlow or Porter votes, she said she had not really though about it.
The City Manager
As during the last election cycle, the fate of the city manager Reese Goad hangs in the balance. Commissioner Matlow and Commissioner Porter have publicly stated they would vote to remove Goad, but it takes three votes for a change.
When asked if she would vote to replace Goad, Inman-Johnson said she believed in due process and was “not comfortable” answering the question. She added, ” I would not be a commissioner who would turn the city over to the city manager.”
Richardson said Goad was doing an excellent job. He referenced the city’s efficient rebound from the impact of the tornadoes and the recent national recognition of Tallahassee’s economy and said these achievements “says a lot about Goad.”
Amazon
When asked if the $2.5 million economic incentive provided to Amazon by Blueprint was a wise investment, Inman Johnson said “I think it was a good investment based on the jobs.” She also said she wanted more funds allocated to southside infrastructure.
Richardson, who voted for the Amazon incentive, noted the creation of approximately 1,500 jobs and reminded the audience that City Commissioner Porter – an Inman Johnson ally – was the only no vote.
Northeast Gateway
When asked about the Northeast Gateway project approved by Blueprint, Inman Johnson said she would have voted no. She again advocated for more tax dollars to be invested in southside infrastructure and argued that the benefits from the Northeast Gateway were to far in the future.
Richardson said the Northeast Gateway – which passed – will help facilitate growth and argued the city and Blueprint are making significant investments in the southside.
Matlow’s PAC
The candidates were asked about Commissioner Matlow’s creation of a political action committee to support progressives candidates, including Porter and Inman Johnson.
Richardson said the action was “totally unacceptable.” Inman Johnson seemed less concerned and noted Richardson’s support from Mayor Dailey and Commissioner Dianne Williams Cox.
Public Safety
Last year the city commission voted 3-2 to increase property tax increase to fund public safety due to a spike in violent crime. It has become a political issue with progressives using the vote to appeal to conservative voters.
Richardson said “it was a difficult decision to raise even a modest increase in the property taxes,” but was needed to address violent crime.
Inman Johnson said she supported the decision by the city commission to hire more police officers last year to address the spike in violent crime, however she opposed the property tax increase used to fund the decision.
When asked how she would have funded the increased public safety budget without a tax increase, Inman Johnson said she would have phased-in spending for the public safety spending.
On Police Chief Revell, Richardson said he was supporter, while Inman-Johnson indicated she does not have a position of Chief Revell.
On the citizens police review board, Richardson supported keeping the board as an advisory board. Inman-Johnson supported expanding the powers of the board by allowing the citizens group to put police officers under oath when reviewing policing issues.
Firefighter Contract Negotiations
The negotiations between the firefighter’s union has become a political football. The recent decision by the special magistrate has been accepted by the city and the firefighter union is evaluating the recommendation.
Richardson defended the process and noted he has been supported by the the firefighter’s union in all of his previous elections.
Inman-Johnson who was endorsed by the union during this election cycle, said the the city commission should play a more constructive role in negotiations and added that firefighters deserve the same pay and benefits as police officers.
At the conclusion of the forum, NEBA held a straw poll for members only. Richardson received support from 72% of those who voted, while Inman-Johnson received 28%.
NEBA Forum Highlights Differences, Ideological Divide, Between Richardson, Inman-Johnson added by Steve Stewart on
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bye-bye Curtis. He run but he can’t hide his tax and politician pay RAISES and Northeast will send him packing back to Frenchtown.
@ 850… 100% spot-on. Well put.
The JACKwagon needs to be voted out.
Or removed, after an FDLE investigation.
@ISH – you are correct, we do not need a bunch of clowns who oppose economic development. Folks you really need to educate yourselves on the vote for tax increase and why it was opposed by progressives. Porter and Matlow did not care about the tax increase, they were opposed to funding the police. They will not hesitate to raise taxes to support their socialist agenda. Common sense!!!! Any opposing incentives to a company that will bring in over a thousand jobs and someone who wants city funded internet services and city funded grocery store will never get my vote. Go watch some of the past city commissioners meetings to learn their true characters. No Johnson (who had her opportunity but Tallahassee remained stagnant in economic growth), No Porter, No Matlow.
~ Inman-Johnson said her “passion and vision for the community” is in line with Matlow and Porter and she added she was going “to work to represent all the people of Tallahassee.”
That is clearly a dichotomous statement. One cannot confirm their alignment with Pizza Boy and Jackboot Porter, then profess that one will “represent all the people of Tallahassee”.
Porter and Matlow are ideological zealots whose only interest is the Pro-Hamas Progressive Agenda of Destruction… full stop.
You don’t need to Raise Taxes or create a Special Program to lower the Crime Rate. The DA and ADA’s need to hand down the Proper Charges. Someone takes a Shot at someone, or hits someone with a Hammer, Pipe, Board, etc, that person is trying to Kill them and should get Charged with Attempted Murder and given 20 to Life. The 10-20-LIFE Law needs to be put in Force. The 3 Strikes Law needs to be put in Force. We need the DA, ADA’s, Prosecuting Attorney’s and Judges ALL needs to get on the same page to send the Criminals to Prison for the right amount of Time. STOP making Deals. If you get tough o the Criminals and word gets out, Crime will drop because the Criminals will be in Prison longer and the others wont want to go.
Raising taxes was not a smart choice. The City Manager/staff should have presented options to increase TPD’s budget to needed levels without it. However, @Victor, the view is short-sighted. Dot Inman-Johnson was recruited by Ryan Ray, Max Herle, and Commissioners Matlow and Porter (among others). She HAS aligned herself with the two of them who she refers to as “the minority on the Commission.” You can punish Curtis, to be sure, but know this … Curtis is an old-school Democrat and a known commodity. If you help re-elect Porter and add Inman-Johnson to the mix you will rue the day. If you want an extremist City, anti-business, government lose sight of the big picture and vote as you suggest. The next step will be Matlow running for Mayor. His ego demands it. He will hand-pick his successor and with Porter and Inman-Johnson the path for this community is worse than you can imagine. Ask Jon Ausman what he thinks of the local party leadership. Ask Allison Tant.
End of day, Curtis Richardson has voted two years in a row to raise taxes including a big 8.5% millage increase. Nothing else really matters in this city stuff it’s unforgivable and he needs to go.