Spring Break
Mayoral candidates debate; analyze mistakes, look at future
Maggie Kiely
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: News
Broadcasting to a live audience on Lubbock Independent School District's TV station, mayoral candidates David Miller and Tom Martin did their best to answer questions Monday evening at a debate sponsored by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.
With incidences like the Chippendale's dancers getting arrested in Lubbock and visitors being harassed by security at the Lubbock International Airport gaining national media attention, candidates were asked how they would improve the national reputation of Lubbock.
Miller said even though it may not be the mayor making the mistake, it is ultimately up to him to take accountability for local embarrassments and get the whole story out.
"The buck stops at the mayor's desk; the mayor needs to take responsibilities for things that come his or her way," Miller said. "I will tell you that I will always publicly support our police and the rest of our staff."
Martin said he believes taking the Giant Side of Texas Program to a state and national level would shine Lubbock in a positive light.
"Originally, the program was designed to educate our own citizens on the history of Lubbock and the good things about Lubbock. I'd like to see that program expanded," Martin said. "People are proud of their city and they want to tell that to others."
When it comes to placing items on bond packages, both candidates said they agreed that ultimately it is the residents' choice what is and what is not included.
"Lubbock is a very conservative city, (residents) want to see progress get made, but they understand you can't do it all at one time," Martin said. "Voters have the final say."
While the candidates agreed on some issues, when it came to dealing with controversial city issues, Martin and Miller differed.
"Sometimes things that are proposed may be better left not done," Martin said, citing the failed red-light camera program as an example of business better left untouched.
"This council has never dogged a single tough issue," Miller said in response. "This council has refused to pass on future problems to future councils."
With incidences like the Chippendale's dancers getting arrested in Lubbock and visitors being harassed by security at the Lubbock International Airport gaining national media attention, candidates were asked how they would improve the national reputation of Lubbock.
Miller said even though it may not be the mayor making the mistake, it is ultimately up to him to take accountability for local embarrassments and get the whole story out.
"The buck stops at the mayor's desk; the mayor needs to take responsibilities for things that come his or her way," Miller said. "I will tell you that I will always publicly support our police and the rest of our staff."
Martin said he believes taking the Giant Side of Texas Program to a state and national level would shine Lubbock in a positive light.
"Originally, the program was designed to educate our own citizens on the history of Lubbock and the good things about Lubbock. I'd like to see that program expanded," Martin said. "People are proud of their city and they want to tell that to others."
When it comes to placing items on bond packages, both candidates said they agreed that ultimately it is the residents' choice what is and what is not included.
"Lubbock is a very conservative city, (residents) want to see progress get made, but they understand you can't do it all at one time," Martin said. "Voters have the final say."
While the candidates agreed on some issues, when it came to dealing with controversial city issues, Martin and Miller differed.
"Sometimes things that are proposed may be better left not done," Martin said, citing the failed red-light camera program as an example of business better left untouched.
"This council has never dogged a single tough issue," Miller said in response. "This council has refused to pass on future problems to future councils."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
MP
posted 4/15/08 @ 2:57 AM CST
I don't know which is worse, the fascist or the theocratic dunce. Regardless of who wins, we can expect continued incestuous real-estate/government relationships, nepotism, cronyism, and an absolute disregard for anyone under the age of 30. (Continued…)
George Gant
posted 4/16/08 @ 1:29 PM CST
I talked to a couple of my writer-producer friends. We decided to make a VERY Bad B-Movie, you know the kind they show in Drive-In Theaters in the South, and in Lubbock?
This one will be a tribute to Lubbock Christians. (Continued…)
FSM
posted 4/17/08 @ 10:49 AM CST
It's an endearing story George, but what did you expect them to with almost $7 Mil? Use it to fix all of the crumbling roads east of Frankford Ave? They just built a superhighway to Levelland! Abd it's easier to spend a few thousand dollars to throw rocks down on the roads to keep the smashed windshields coming. (Continued…)
George Gant
posted 4/18/08 @ 9:38 AM CST
This was a bit of appropriate symbolism, in a Biblical format, to all those Lubbock officials who have a fear of Homosexuals and Mexican immigrants destroying their sacred Christian Lifestyle. (Continued…)
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