The Providence League of Women Voters, in conjunction with University of Rhode Island's Master of Public Administration Program hosted a Providence Mayoral Forum Tuesday evening.
The forum was moderated by Rhode Island Public Radio's Scott MacKay.
All five candidates for Mayor of Providence attended the forum, but only four candidates took to the stage. Independent Jeffrey Lemire told me that he wasn't going to be actively campaigning until after the September 12 primary.
This left the stage to the three Democrats, incumbent Mayor Jorge Elorza, former school superintendent Robert DeRobbio and community organizer Kobi Dennis along with Independent candidate Dianne "Dee-Dee" Witman, a political fundraiser.
Here's all the video:
Opening statement from Kobi Dennis:
https://youtu.be/Si_c1suoRdU
Opening statement from Robert DeRobbio:
https://youtu.be/CiF_54g7cRI
Opening statement from Jorge Elorza:
https://youtu.be/MGOvcr1gQnk
Opening statement from Dianne Witman:
https://youtu.be/uijMF8C-zHE
The questions were all asked by Scott MacKay:
Q1. Do you support the zoning change to allow the Fane Tower to be built or not?
https://youtu.be/jLCuQpienEc
Q2. Affordable housing is a growing concern in the city. There is a rent control ordinance that DARE (Direct Action for Rights and Equality) is advocating. Would you support some form of rent control?
https://youtu.be/NLIjlTGBmK4
Q3. What level of collaboration should exist between the Providence Police Department and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)?
https://youtu.be/qJ_adglwTvw
Q4. Even the Trump Justice Department is going after Providence, asserting that the City doesn't do enough to help English learning students. How would you pay for all the changes the City will be required to make?
https://youtu.be/mvk9-kSuXYE
Q5. We all know that there's a large, unfunded liability in our pension system. The Mayor has advocated for a plan with a plan to leverage the Providence Water Supply Board to try to shore up the pension. What's your plan for the City's underfunded pension system?
https://youtu.be/OCjPZWTTUV0
Q6. Are colleges, universities and hospitals contributing enough to the City, and if not, what more should they be required to do?
https://youtu.be/8PJm08QXsiY
Q7. There seems to be some problems with the Providence Teacher's Union (PTU) and the administration. What are your ideas to have better relations between the PTU and City Hall?
https://youtu.be/ysIpa_NVyBo
Q8. Do you support National Grid's proposed LNG Facility at the Port of Providence?
https://youtu.be/HU7MdJIAl-k
Q9. There's a lot of talk, particularly among some of the merchants, about homelessness downtown, and also out in some of our neighborhoods. What kind of plans to you have for combating the homelessness that we see?
https://youtu.be/IaDEmQ12LyI
Q10. Why do you feel the Community Safety Act (CSA) and the Providence External Review Authority (PERA) are still not fully functional?
https://youtu.be/fzGzJVSJjYY
Q11. What can be done to control runaway disability costs among some of our City employees?
https://youtu.be/YYRiHgW-3LY
Q12. Something we hear a lot about from both the commercial folks in business and from homeowners is what could you do to stabilize property taxes?
https://youtu.be/8jfhmGeQoIQ
Q13. How does Providence maintain its status as a Creative Capital without this leading to gentrification?
https://youtu.be/ZZjAKV0ZtB8
Q14. Are there any specific actions that you could take to improve the rail service to Boston?
https://youtu.be/MeLlMaNIKiw
Q15. Mayor Elorza, you travel out of state quite a bit. You say these trips get ideas for the City, and that this is a good thing. What new programming has been put into effect because of your travels?
https://youtu.be/ULSbTPbdm4E
Closing statement from Kobi Dennis:
https://youtu.be/bO7talAGYuo
Closing statement from Dianne Witman:
https://youtu.be/fMEBSQLb3Tg
Closing statement from Robert DeRobbio:
https://youtu.be/9EUUB_0MA4g
Closing statement from Jorge Elorza:
https://youtu.be/GWm-bByRYAU
See also: Providence mayoral candidates target Elorza in debate
[caption id="attachment_10821" align="aligncenter" width="1778"]
Kobi Dennis[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10818" align="aligncenter" width="1778"]
Dianne Witman[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10817" align="aligncenter" width="1778"]
Jorge Elorza[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10816" align="aligncenter" width="1778"]
Robert DeRobbio[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10815" align="aligncenter" width="1778"]
Jeffrey Lemire[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10814" align="aligncenter" width="1778"]
Jorge Elorza[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10813" align="aligncenter" width="1778"]
Kobi Dennis[/caption]
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See also: Providence mayoral candidates target Elorza in debate
Providence mayoral candidates debate tower, water system plans
[caption id="attachment_10821" align="aligncenter" width="1778"]
Kobi Dennis[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10818" align="aligncenter" width="1778"] Dianne Witman[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10817" align="aligncenter" width="1778"] Jorge Elorza[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10816" align="aligncenter" width="1778"] Robert DeRobbio[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10815" align="aligncenter" width="1778"] Jeffrey Lemire[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10814" align="aligncenter" width="1778"] Jorge Elorza[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_10813" align="aligncenter" width="1778"] Kobi Dennis[/caption]
UpriseRI is entirely supported by donations and advertising. Every little bit helps: Become a Patron!