Candidates for Memphis mayor discuss transportation, LGBTQ+ rights, public safety

Six candidates for Memphis mayor on Saturday vouched for better transportation, housing, anti-discrimination and public safety.

During the Memphis Mayoral Conversation hosted by Commit to Memphis, a local organization advocating for the community, Memphis residents and leaders asked the candidates their stances on certain concerns around the city, including buses, LGBTQ+ rights, and police and education funding.

"The number one thing I think of is data-informed prevention," said Paul Young, president of the Downtown Memphis Commission, when asked what initiative he will instill in the first three to six months in office. "We often talk about data-informed policing but we should do data-informed prevention. We're going to do all the things to hold people accountable, if you commit crimes we want to make sure we hold you accountable."

Memphis City Councilman Frank Colvett responded to the same question by focusing on funding education and investing in organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs and Youth Villages. Colvett also pushed for housing initiatives by educating residents on how to find homes.

Businessman JW Gibson said community development takes priority in the first six months as mayor. He said adding tax-increment financing districts to South Memphis will redevelop the area and improve lives.

Memphis-Shelby County School Board Member Michelle McKissack, State Rep. Karen Camper and former Shelby County Commissioner James Harvey said they will focus on cleaning up the city and working on public safety initiatives for not only adults but also minors.

Nearly 60 Memphis residents attended the event at Mosaic Church Memphis, 815 N McLean Blvd., with cheers and clapping heard throughout the two-hour conversation.

Jared "JB" Boyd, project manager for the radio station WYXR Memphis, Attorney Jana Mitchell and Chef Kelly English hosted the event and introduced the candidates with questions about their role models and favorite things to do around Memphis.

Boyd emphasized the conversation was not a debate.

Memphis NAACP President Van Turner made an appearance at the beginning of the event but left before the panel began because he had to attend a school commencement, Mitchell said.

About a dozen people have announced campaigns for mayor, although the residents will not vote for one until October.

The question of defunding the police arose and most candidates said they want to look into cases where cities decreased law enforcement funding but Harvey said he supports "not defunding the police."

Harvey said he wants to retain police in order to deter crime. He wants to invest in organizations to prevent crime and lower police and citizen encounters.

Colvett also said he wants to continue to fund the police but will invest in community policing to stray from the "us-against-them mentality."

Additionally, candidates answered questions about improving the Memphis Area Transit Authority for areas in the city with little transportation options.

McKissack said she wants to add curb-to-curb service through an app, similar to Uber, where residents can order a ride from MATA.

Camper suggested creating a fund for people to receive low-interest loans to purchase a vehicle to become an "Uber driver," and certain residents, including those enrolled in Medicaid, can buy rides for a discounted rate.

"You're moving people out of poverty by giving them a car and a job and then you're helping those who need the transportation that's feeding the Uber drivers," Camper said.

Gibson wants to add city funds to assist MATA while Colvett and Young said they need to work on improving MATA with different ways to move around the city.

Harvey said MATA needs to re-grid its routes to assist areas with the greatest transportation needs.

In light of the Department of Justice suing Tennessee over its ban on healthcare for transgender youth, each candidate voiced opposition to the ban, saying it's a human right and the family should make the decision.

"It is up to the family, it is up to the doctor," Camper said. "Why would we decide that we want to get in the middle of that? I don't understand that."

Gibson said he also does not understand why the state government would get involved in a family's medical decision.

Colvett said he will fight to end discrimination.

"I believe that all discrimination is and should be unlawful, period," Colvett said. "I don't support any discrimination in any form, shape or faction, period."

Young said he advocates with OUTMemphis, an advocacy and resource organization for LGBTQ+ people, and will help provide resources to those who need it.

"We're talking about basic human rights, we're not talking about anything special," Young said. "Everybody should have access to healthcare."

Dima Amro covers the suburbs for The Commercial Appeal and can be reached at Dima.Amro@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @AmroDima.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Candidates for Memphis mayor talk public safety, trans-rights, MATA