Tallahassee Mayoral candidates Loranne Ausley and Jeremy Matlow participated in a political forum Tuesday hosted by the Capital City Tiger Bay Club. Both candidates gave their thoughts on the recent shooting on Florida A&M University’s campus and disagreed on many issues.
Jeremy Matlow says the first step after the shooting is to address what he sees as the root cause.
“We have a city with a 25% poverty rate. We have children living on the edge and margins of society. I was heartbroken to see what happened on Perry Street just this week, and to learn that it was a 15-year-old who may have been involved, that's a failure of all of us. We didn't reach these kids in time,” he said.
Ausley thanked the prompt response from law enforcement.
“Our police department did an incredible job of quickly finding the you know the root of this of the violence and arresting the kid. And it's sad. And the bottom line is this community. They put $5 million dollars towards it. I am really proud to have the endorsement of the Police Benefit Association because I've worked with law enforcement for my whole life, and they do a good job. We need to make sure that they're continuing to do what they can. We need to focus on our children and giving the investment and these kids that we need,” she said.
Several topics were discussed during the debate. One of them was the city’s cooperation agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Matlow wants to dissolve it.
“We told we were told that ICE was going to go after criminals in our community, and instead we've seen them raid construction sites. We've seen them raid food trucks right here at Tallahassee, and I believe that's wrong. But there is no legal mandate for the city of Tallahassee to enter a 287 (g) agreement. That's false. Dozens of cities across the state of Florida, including Gainesville, have not entered into them, while the sheriff's department and Florida Highway Patrol do have a duty to cooperate with ICE in that fashion. I don't believe local city tax dollars should be being used for city federal issues,” he said.
Ausley doesn’t think the existing deal involves much collaboration but didn’t say she would support rescinding the agreement.
“We have one investigator who was assigned to ICE, and at least I don't I don't agree with the 287(g) in any way, and we need to be treating our immigrants that are that are law-abiding living here with respect and dignity. We don't need to be going after them in the grocery stores, but I don't believe that our police department is trying to do that. Our police department is doing what needs to be done, and will and will abide by 287(g) to deal with criminals, hardened criminals, and that's what we should be doing,” she said.
The candidates also shared their thoughts on the recent Florida State University and Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare partnership. Ausley says she thinks it was the right move.
“The bottom line is partnering with FSU is going to bring better healthcare, and will reach us towards that goal of higher paying jobs in this community, which I'm all for,” she said.
Matlow affirmed his reasons for opposing it when it was voted on.
“I support FSU's exploration of an academic medical center. That's completely separate than the conversation of how we lost a city asset valued at over $500 million, sold for pennies on the dollar for $100 million. That's $400 million in city resources that I have a duty to protect,” he said.
Both candidates are on the ballot for the Nov. 3 general election. Early voting has already begun.
