News-Record.com

Congratulations to the League of Women Voters for its outstanding mayoral forum today at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

A good crowd attended the brisk-paced Q&A session featuring candidates Yvonne Johnson and Milton Kern. Questions were submitted in writing, screened and presented in an even-handed manner. I couldn't detect a trace of gender bias from the Women Voters.

This discussion differered from the forum hosted by the Democratic Women last week in that some differences emerged between the candidates.

Kern said he would not favor any budget increases until the city's financial situation improves through economic development, and added that he would propose a tax-increase moratorium for two years. Yet, asked if he would recommend budget cuts he said, "Not at this time."

Johnson advocated a hard look at increased spending in the police department to address community safety issues. On the subject of budget cuts, she said it might be possible to reduce spending for equipment and parks and recreation.

Johnson said she supports economic incentives, but applies strict criteria when considering requests: the number of jobs, whether the company will pay a "liveable wage," and how much it will invest in the community.

Kern said he's "not totally against incentives but not really for them." He said local businesses and small businesses should receive help first.

Asked about the treatment of former police Chief David Wray. Kern said he's a friend of both Wray and City Manager Mitch Johnson. "It makes me sick to see how this has unfolded," he said. In response to yesterday's indictments of Officer Scott Sanders and Sgt. Tom Fox, he said: "Is that all there is to it? I thought they were going after David Wray."

Johnson noted she has had the privilege of having listened to the tape of Mitch Johnson's conversation with Wray the Friday before Wray resigned, and it is clear to her that the manager was polite and fair in handling Wray. "There are no winners in this, no joy in having officers indicted," she said. "It's a dark time in our history and we need to heal."

Kern ducked a question posed about possible next steps in dealing with the Truth & Reconciliation Commission report. He said he's just getting around to reading it and would refrain from making judgment calls. Without elaborating, he also said, "I have some problems with it."

I'll look forward to more exchanges between the candidates.

And to next Monday evening's LWV forum for at-large candidates in Royce Reynolds Family Student Life Center at Greensboro College.