Kiwanian of the Day, Dick Koch, served as moderator of a mayoral debate between Kathleen Ford and Bill Foster, former City Council members. Dick introduced each candidate, and they subsequently delivered an introductory speech regarding their candidacy and plans for St. Petersburg.
The questions asked by the Kiwanis members and guests sparked few differences of opinion out of Ford and Foster. Both support the airport, increases in police budget, opposition of the annex plan for Tierra Verde, the public sanctity of sidewalks, gay rights employment opportunity, the Doorways Program initiated by Mayor Baker, more open government, and opposed Mayor Baker’s slashing of the tents for the homeless.
So, what do we have here? Two committed, qualified candidates and one of the few differences that we learned is that Ford supports evolution, and Foster sides with intelligent design.
The net result for the voters who watched our debate: the debate did not separate the candidates enough to make it easy for the voters to make a clear cut voting decision.
Thank you, Dick Koch, for your help arranging this timely event, and to you, the voters please vote on November 3rd.
