Colorado Springs mayoral candidates face off in debate
From the KRDO website.
The candidates for the Colorado Springs mayoral run-off election faced off in a debate hosted by the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs Friday.
Former Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace and former State Attorney General John Suthers laid out their priorities for the office.
Makepeace, who was the first to give her opening statement said her number one immediate priority is fixing the potholes in the city. She said infrastructure, economic development - in terms of creating more jobs and having more variety in types of jobs - retaining talent and restoring the relationship between the mayor and council were her priorities.
Suthers said the number one priority was changing the political climate in the city, so that the mayor and city council work together. He said infrastructure and aggressively promoting job growth were also priorities.
The first question for the candidates was on their view of allowing recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs. Both said they voted against Amendment 64. But Makepeace said she now supports recreational marijuana sales.
"We need to approve it, regulate it, as much as we do alcohol and tobacco," she said. "I think that's the only way to make sure that the laws are being followed."
Suthers said his concern is adolescent drug use.
"Adolescent use of drugs is largely a result of their perception of risk. I think we're largely driving the perception of risk to young people to the ground with our drug policies in Colorado," he said. "But if the voters of Colorado Springs vote for recreational marijuana, I will implement the law."
Both candidates said they want to attract new businesses to the area and maintain young people in the city.
The election is May 19. Ballots will be mailed out Monday. The new mayor will be sworn in June 2.
Former Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace and former State Attorney General John Suthers laid out their priorities for the office.
Makepeace, who was the first to give her opening statement said her number one immediate priority is fixing the potholes in the city. She said infrastructure, economic development - in terms of creating more jobs and having more variety in types of jobs - retaining talent and restoring the relationship between the mayor and council were her priorities.
Suthers said the number one priority was changing the political climate in the city, so that the mayor and city council work together. He said infrastructure and aggressively promoting job growth were also priorities.
The first question for the candidates was on their view of allowing recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs. Both said they voted against Amendment 64. But Makepeace said she now supports recreational marijuana sales.
"We need to approve it, regulate it, as much as we do alcohol and tobacco," she said. "I think that's the only way to make sure that the laws are being followed."
Suthers said his concern is adolescent drug use.
"Adolescent use of drugs is largely a result of their perception of risk. I think we're largely driving the perception of risk to young people to the ground with our drug policies in Colorado," he said. "But if the voters of Colorado Springs vote for recreational marijuana, I will implement the law."
Both candidates said they want to attract new businesses to the area and maintain young people in the city.
The election is May 19. Ballots will be mailed out Monday. The new mayor will be sworn in June 2.
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