The two candidates running for the presidency are Todd Gordon, the Lima City First Ward Council Member, and Jamie Dixon, the Fifth Ward Council Member. During the event, citizens were allowed to submit written questions to the candidates on various topics, such as their views on current policies, their plans for change, and how they would increase minority representation in the workforce. The debate also addressed issues related to rent and home prices. One of the most commonly asked questions from the audience was about the candidates' priorities concerning code enforcement, zoning, and the mayor's rental registration for rental property owners.
"When it comes to the landlord registry, I was a champion of the landlord registry then, and I am a champion of the landlord registry now. The reason why is because, after seven years of working in housing, I know that individuals are living in subpar housing," stated Jamie Dixon, Fifth Ward Council Member and candidate.
"I just think that we need to work on having the landlords that are bad; we need to attack them, and as far as the ones that are good, we need to give them incentives to keep doing the right thing," explained Todd Gordon, First Ward Council Member and candidate.
To view the complete debate, visit The Lima/Allen County Neighborhoods in Partnership's Facebook page.
