Here's how each mayoral candidate says they would improve Montgomery
Montgomery residents will go to the polls to cast their vote in the municipal elections on Tuesday, Aug. 22. There, they will choose their city council members and mayor, the people will shape local politics for the next four years and therefore shape the city.
The Advertiser sent a list of questions to each mayoral candidate. Here are their answers.
Some responses have been edited for style and clarity.
Victorrus Felder
Age? 40
What is your job? I work for the Alabama Department of Corrections.
What is your political experience? I have not been in political office but this is my second time campaigning for mayor of Montgomery.
What is your political affiliation? I am not affiliated with any party.
What would you prioritize as mayor? I would prioritize by building a strong mayoral cabinet to help carry out the task and the vision that I have for the city of Montgomery, along with hiring a chief human resource officer to help ensure that all staff are qualified and understand the vision for Montgomery.
What isn't working now in our city, and how would you address it? Being separated and encouraging political parties to take sides is not working. I would have all parties come to the table and work together. I will build a strong relationship with our city council and keep any differences that we may have behind closed doors, and I will address the treatment of our city employees and ensure that they are all treated with respect.
What are the most pressing issues for the city of Montgomery? The most pressing issues are crime, lack of economic developmental growth, education, infrastructure and the cleanliness of the city.
How would you reduce crime? I would reduce crime by hiring more police officers and reaching out to those who left in good standing to return, and by having our police department engage with the community more. It would have the community feel more comfortable with the police, and the community must also do their part with engaging with the police, also. I want kids to get back to wanting to be police officers again, instead of participating in things that are not in favor of a (successful) lifestyle. These are some simple ways to reduce crime.
What actions would you take to recruit police officers to the city? The focus shouldn't only be on recruiting but on retention, also. We must make sure that we keep experienced officers on the force and reward them for the job they have done while we've gone through these troubling, violent past four years. I will also talk with our police officers personally to get a better overall understanding of what is needed and how can we recruit and attract more people to join our police force.
Barrett Gilbreath
Age? 42
What is your job? I am real estate investor and entrepreneur.
What is your political experience? While I lack political experience, I bring a diverse background as a husband, father, businessman and youth sports coach.
What is your political affiliation? My political affiliation transcends party lines, as I firmly believe our city's challenges are beyond national politics and instead require a non-partisan approach.
What would you prioritize as mayor? Crime, neighborhood cleanliness, communication from city hall and recruitment/retention of our public safety departments (fire, police, and 911 operators) are among the pressing issues for Montgomery. To address these concerns, I prioritize several key areas as mayor.
First and foremost, economic development is crucial. I aim to foster business growth, attract new industries, and create job opportunities appealing to both current residents and potential newcomers. Public safety is another paramount consideration. I intend to implement effective strategies to lower crime rates and ensure community safety, including initiatives to support and retain our valued police, fire and 911 personnel.
Education remains vital, and I am committed to collaborating with the state Department of Education and local MPS Board members to enhance educational opportunities for students. Furthermore, I will focus on addressing the city's infrastructure and transportation needs, while also promoting community engagement and supporting cultural and recreational programs to enrich the quality of life for our residents.
What isn't working now in our city, and how would you address it? One critical issue I recognize is the need for improved communication from the city. Transparency and accessibility are key principles I will uphold. Through regular updates on digital platforms, community meetings, town halls, user-friendly apps, media engagement and collaboration with local organizations, I plan to foster open dialogue and inclusivity in decision-making processes.
What are the most pressing issues for the city of Montgomery? Crime.
How would you reduce crime? To tackle the challenge of crime reduction, I emphasize a proactive approach. Strengthening law enforcement protocols, continuous training, improved lighting, technology integration, crime reporting apps, social programs, partnerships, data-driven strategies and efforts to prevent recidivism are all part of my comprehensive plan.
What actions would you take to recruit police officers to the city? Recruiting police officers requires innovative thinking. By offering down payment assistance for home purchases, prioritizing community-oriented policing, fostering cultural sensitivity and engaging officers in community initiatives, we can create a closer bond between law enforcement and residents, leading to effective and responsive policing.
In essence, my vision for Montgomery revolves around unity, empathy and creative problem-solving. I seek to bridge the gap between citizens and their government, championing an administration that listens, acts and empowers the community. As mayor, I am determined to cultivate a city thriving on collaboration, safety and inclusivity, making Montgomery a beacon of progress and prosperity for all.
Marcus McNeal
Age? 29
What is your job? Entrepreneur and CEO of Effervescent Ventures Inc & Subsidiaries
What is your political experience? Second time running for office
What is your political affiliation? Independent
What would you prioritize as mayor? Putting the people back in power by being a servant to them and prioritizing what is most important to them by developing an open door policy to my administration.
What isn't working now in our city, and how would you address it? Our economy, infrastructure and day-to-day operations of the city are increasingly declining. A more innovative, and firm approach to the issues that plague our communities would begin change. I, as mayor, would stand firm on my platform and not back down. I would advocate on behalf of the citizens of Montgomery, Alabama, to pass what needs to be done to better life for the citizens and our future.
What are the most pressing issues for the city of Montgomery? Crime, sanitation and emergency response times, education and lack of transparency and accessibility to the mayor's office and administration.
How would you reduce crime? By developing more task force units that are well funded and equipped to deal with special areas of crime without pulling away from our everyday patrol units.
What actions would you take to recruit police officers to the city? To (call) for an audit of the city budget and allocate more funds to recruit more experienced and qualified talent.
Mayor Steven Reed
Age? 49
What is your job? Mayor, city of Montgomery
What is your political experience? Montgomery County Probate Judge, 2012-2019 (First African-American elected to this office)
57th Mayor of Montgomery, 2019-Present (First African-American elected to this office)
What is your political affiliation? Democrat
What would you prioritize as mayor? I’m dedicated to building on the progress we've achieved in Montgomery over the last four years – from being the state leader in economic development by bringing more than $1.7 billion in investment and 2,000 new jobs to securing $33 million annually for MPS. Of course, public safety remains my top priority as we continue investing at historic levels in police and fire.
What isn't working now in our city, and how would you address it? The "doom and gloom" narrative has plagued our city since I was in high school here, but it is time for folks to believe in Montgomery and buy into our new narrative as we write a new story for our city. Montgomery has amazing potential, and through new policies and programs, we’re tapping into that potential and unleashing opportunity for everyone – regardless of what neighborhood they live in or how long their family has called Montgomery home.
What are the most pressing issues for the city of Montgomery? Some parts of our city face challenges like the lack of broadband access, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic when students struggled with online assignments. Issues like food insecurity, limited transportation, dilapidated infrastructure, outdated community centers are concerns that metastasize into bigger issues, like public safety and workforce challenges. We invested $50 million through the Montgomery Forward program into our community centers, neighborhoods and infrastructure.
How would you reduce crime? Statistics show a decrease in overall crime, but we understand that the effect is significant for those who have been victims. That's why we remain committed to enhancing public safety in every corner of our city. To do this, we've increased patrols in high-crime areas, working with our state and national partners and are leveraging technology and training to enhance our response capabilities. We’ve invested more than $10 million in public safety this fiscal year. This is in addition to a more than 15% salary increase for police and fire personnel last year.
What actions would you take to recruit police officers to the city? We're proud to share that we're about to graduate one of the largest classes of officers in recent history. In the FY 2024 proposed budget, we increase salaries another 3%. We're proud to offer a College Incentive Program for officers as well as incentives to officers in partner agencies or those who work in neighboring communities.
More: Mayoral Forum Montgomery mayoral candidates discuss plans to improve city
Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's public safety reporter. She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or on Twitter @gladlyalex.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Here's how each mayoral candidate says they would improve Montgomery
