The Lima Council President candidates First Ward Council Member Todd Gordon and Fifth Ward Council Member Jamie Dixon debate days before the election.
Precious Grundy | The Lima News
LIMA — The Lima City Council president candidates participated in a debate just days before the election. The Lima NAACP opened the floor to First Ward Council Member Todd Gordon and Fifth Ward Council Member Jamie Dixon. President of the chapter Ron Fails shared the importance of community members participating in politics locally.
“What I have come to realize as president in the local chapter is that national issues are very important,” Fails said. “In reality, all politics are local. It is your city, county and school boards. They are the institutions that most affect where we live — failure to engage locally can do more harm and damage.”
Vision for Lima
The two candidates answered questions regarding their vision for Lima and priorities for the city.
“I want our community to become ignited,” Gordon said. “I want to see our community be something people want to come to visit — through the work of our previous mayor, current mayor, council and regional planning commission our community has become a major place. We need to keep working.”
Gordon also said his vision is for Lima to be a family-oriented place where others want to come and travel.
Dixon said his vision is to create a culture where it is free for all to work, live and play.
“We have to create a culture that is accepting of having generations at the table,” Dixon said. “We know collectively putting together a plan is what makes a neighborhood and community thrive. The mission I have is simple: ‘If it is not for all, then it is not for us.’ ”
Priorities for the city
The candidates also addressed priorities if elected as president.
“We have to be good stewards over the money that has been allocated to the city,” Dixon said. “We also have to create a culture that is non-judgmental, safe and respectful.”
Both candidates shared past difficult experiences on council in hopes the future council will be peaceful.
“I think the community needs to be open,” Gordon said. “I think everyone should be comfortable talking to the president of city council or any councilman.”
The NAACP Treasurer Charlene Echols moderated the event on Sunday evening.
“We want to clarify the NAACP is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates for a political office at any level,” Echols said. “Persons affiliated with the NAACP at the national, state and local level are free to make candidate endorsements in a personal capacity but they do not reflect support by the NAACP as an organization.”
Candidates address local issues
The candidates addressed multiple topics throughout the city from sidewalks, blight and homelessness.
Gordon and Dixon shared ideas on how to aid the issue of community members living without homes.
“I would like to see the city develop at least one warming center for the homeless,” Gordon said. “A building where they can come in and have heat. I think of the fire station in Lincoln Park — some folks choose to live that way and some have gotten in circumstances which I understand. The centers are something we need to consider.”
“We have to make sure that when these individuals leave these moments they have the resources, tools and knowledge not to go back into the same ways of life,” Dixon said. “When I am dealing with individuals with substance abuse we are trying to change behaviors and mentalities.”
Early voting has begun in the state of Ohio. Election day will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
