Between Barbs, Candidates Find Agreement At Forum

The top contenders in this year’s mayoral race once again traded barbs Thursday night — while, between the lines, agreeing more than not about challenges facing the city.

Their points of agreement emerged at an online committee forum for Edgewood’s Ward 24 Democratic committee, hosted by Alder Evette Hamilton and Co-Chairs Art Perlo and Randall Furlow.

The meeting was the latest installment in a series of Democratic ward committee forums being held around the city leading up to a citywide party nominating convention scheduled for July 27. The two leading candidates, one-term inumbent Justin Elicker and challenger Karen DuBois-Walton, are expected to face off in a Sept. 14 primary. (See stories about other recent forums in West Rock/West Hills, East Rock and Westville.)

During Thursday night’s forum, Elicker and DuBois-Walton disagreed about who would make a better leader to take on challenges, while sounding similar themes on issues like …

• Safe Streets: Elicker said that his administration remains committed to an ongoing major corridors program and installing new speed humps. Cyclists need safer routes, he said, pointing to the Edgewood Cycletrack that recently began construction. DuBois-Walton agreed, describing the rise in street violence as ​“terrifying.” She called for a city ​“Vision Zero” strategy to eliminate pedestrian and cyclist deaths, similar to one being adopted at the state level. Both candidates said they support using ​“red light” (speed) cameras and automated enforcement technology to slow drivers, referencing the recently-passed H.B. 5429 sponsored by State Rep. Roland Lemar (which ended up not including the cameras).

• Public Transportation: The city’s bus system is vital to uplifting all residents, both candidates said. DuBois-Walton pointed to her working with the state transportation department while at the Housing Authority, bringing new bus stops to remote areas like West Rock. ​“The real-life schedules of residents…. a real sense of when people travel, and to where and what are the barriers to that, and bringing that voice directly together with Connecticut transit.” Elicker touted a new bus hub tied to the state’s expansion of Union Station. Both candidates said that bus routes, including those in the Edgewood area, should be reworked to better fit the needs and schedules of communities.

• Internet Access: Both candidates underscored the importance of high-speed internet to adults to be successful in the workforce, as well as children learning remotely. Elicker said the city needs to step in and fill the gaps where private investment has failed to deliver fiber internet service. ​“Things like fiber are a significant investment that’s not just going to be used once, but that will give back for decades to come,” he said. DuBois-Walton said that her team at the Housing Authority brought tablets and wi-fi to families without internet access.

• Illegal Dumping: Using city departments and park rangers to support community groups will pave the way to better attitudes, the mayor said, pointing to his involvement in community trash pickups as ​“leading by example.” DuBois-Walton echoed that thought, saying that if the city shows a renewed commitment to clean spaces, resident behavior will follow. ​“The city needs to lead in that effort by really delivering the highest quality service, demonstrating that we care about every corner of the city, and we will see changes in behavior.”

The rivals still found plenty of ways to jab at each other at the event.

In her opening speech, DuBois-Walton charged Elicker with a lack of transparency, citing both the Goldman-Sachs deal at Tweed Airport and a recent Board of Education controversy. The mayor in turn said that he has made himself available to all residents, giving out his cell phone number and holding door knocking events and mayor’s nights out. DuBois-Walton responded, saying ​“we all know that transparency isn’t about giving out a phone number.”

Elicker, echoing his own past statements, described DuBois-Walton’s criticism on several issues a case of ​“Monday morning quarterbacking.” DuBois-Walton (who served on Elicker’s transition team) pushed back, saying that she has consistently provided guidance and advice during his term.

DuBois-Walton blamed Elicker for infrastructural mismanagement, saying she had heard comments about fire hydrants being out of service. The mayor shot back, accusing his opponent of ​“manipulating information” and creating a sense of fear.

According to Furlow, the ward will vote on its mayoral endorsement at its next meeting on July 15. The 14 committee members present endorsed Alder Hamilton for another term by a voice vote. She did not indicate her endorsement for either candidate on Thursday.