1 00:00:07,841 --> 00:00:09,109 - (female announcer) Production funding 2 00:00:09,109 --> 00:00:12,278 for Behind The Headlines is made possible in part by 3 00:00:12,278 --> 00:00:14,514 the WKNO Production Fund, 4 00:00:14,514 --> 00:00:16,616 the WKNO Endowment Fund, 5 00:00:16,616 --> 00:00:20,253 and by viewers like you, thank you. 6 00:00:20,253 --> 00:00:22,889 - Candidate for mayor, Van Turner, tonight 7 00:00:22,889 --> 00:00:24,257 on Behind The Headlines 8 00:00:24,257 --> 00:00:27,260 [intense orchestral music] 9 00:00:42,308 --> 00:00:44,077 I'm Eric Barnes with The Daily Memphian. 10 00:00:44,077 --> 00:00:45,278 Thanks for joining us. 11 00:00:45,278 --> 00:00:47,380 I am joined tonight by Van Turner, 12 00:00:47,380 --> 00:00:48,882 former county commissioner, former head 13 00:00:48,882 --> 00:00:51,985 of the local NAACP, and candidate for Memphis mayor. 14 00:00:51,985 --> 00:00:53,486 Thanks for being here again. - Thank you. 15 00:00:53,486 --> 00:00:54,621 - Along with Bill Dries, 16 00:00:54,621 --> 00:00:57,257 reporter with The Daily Memphian. 17 00:00:57,257 --> 00:00:59,726 For those who've been watching, this is one of a series 18 00:00:59,726 --> 00:01:02,328 of one-on-one profiles we're doing with the major candidates 19 00:01:02,328 --> 00:01:03,963 for Memphis mayor. 20 00:01:03,963 --> 00:01:06,766 We've recently done Michelle McKissack. 21 00:01:06,766 --> 00:01:10,103 We've talked to Karen Camper, JW Gibson. 22 00:01:11,571 --> 00:01:14,541 We will soon be talking to Floyd Bonner, Paul Young, 23 00:01:14,541 --> 00:01:16,242 former Mayor Willie Herenton. 24 00:01:16,242 --> 00:01:17,510 It's important to know our criteria 25 00:01:17,510 --> 00:01:19,379 for what is a major candidate. 26 00:01:19,379 --> 00:01:22,082 It is basically financial viability in terms of the amount 27 00:01:22,082 --> 00:01:24,751 of money raised and the number of donors, 28 00:01:24,751 --> 00:01:26,753 it's previous election success, 29 00:01:26,753 --> 00:01:29,622 and it's the limited polling that's available. 30 00:01:29,622 --> 00:01:31,091 There's been no magic to the order. 31 00:01:31,091 --> 00:01:32,358 It's just been as we've been able 32 00:01:32,358 --> 00:01:33,359 to get everybody scheduled. 33 00:01:33,359 --> 00:01:36,062 So some will come after early voting, 34 00:01:36,062 --> 00:01:38,231 some were before early voting. 35 00:01:38,231 --> 00:01:41,034 And I should also say that all those are available 36 00:01:41,034 --> 00:01:44,204 at wkno.org or you can go to YouTube and search for WKNO, 37 00:01:44,204 --> 00:01:45,338 all those different profiles. 38 00:01:45,338 --> 00:01:46,439 You can also go to The Daily Memphian 39 00:01:46,439 --> 00:01:48,675 and get to the stories Bill has done about them 40 00:01:48,675 --> 00:01:52,145 as well as the video interviews. 41 00:01:52,145 --> 00:01:54,047 All this follows a debate we did on criminal justice 42 00:01:54,047 --> 00:01:56,616 with some of the major candidates back in April. 43 00:01:56,616 --> 00:01:57,684 You can get that if you search 44 00:01:57,684 --> 00:01:59,986 for Daily Memphian on YouTube. 45 00:01:59,986 --> 00:02:02,555 And we have on Tuesday at 7 PM 46 00:02:02,555 --> 00:02:06,726 on WKNO a mayoral debate with, at this point, 47 00:02:06,726 --> 00:02:10,063 six of the eight candidates I have mentioned so far. 48 00:02:10,063 --> 00:02:11,764 Floyd Bonner has not committed. 49 00:02:11,764 --> 00:02:13,133 He has also not declined. 50 00:02:13,133 --> 00:02:15,602 Willie Herenton has said he's not going to be there. 51 00:02:15,602 --> 00:02:16,803 Van Turner will be. 52 00:02:16,803 --> 00:02:19,739 That, again, is August 15th on WKNO. 53 00:02:19,739 --> 00:02:21,241 It'll be livestreamed on KNO. 54 00:02:21,241 --> 00:02:22,742 It'll be on KNO-FM. 55 00:02:22,742 --> 00:02:24,744 It'll be livestreamed through The Daily Memphian site. 56 00:02:24,744 --> 00:02:27,046 And of course, if you miss it on Tuesday, it'll be archived 57 00:02:27,046 --> 00:02:29,215 in all those locations. 58 00:02:29,215 --> 00:02:30,717 The election is October 5th, 59 00:02:30,717 --> 00:02:32,919 but early voting is September 15th. 60 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:35,522 And last point, Kontji Anthony, formerly of WMC, 61 00:02:35,522 --> 00:02:39,459 will be co-moderating that debate with me. 62 00:02:39,459 --> 00:02:43,229 Thank you for being here with that big introduction. 63 00:02:43,229 --> 00:02:45,131 I'll ask you a question I've asked other people 64 00:02:45,131 --> 00:02:46,499 'cause it's a point of reference. 65 00:02:46,499 --> 00:02:47,734 - Right. 66 00:02:47,734 --> 00:02:49,302 - Has Jim Strickland, who's termed out, 67 00:02:49,302 --> 00:02:51,271 who's coming up to the end of his term, 68 00:02:51,271 --> 00:02:52,805 has he been successful? 69 00:02:52,805 --> 00:02:54,073 Has he been successful in some ways 70 00:02:54,073 --> 00:02:56,943 and failed or not been as successful in others? 71 00:02:56,943 --> 00:02:58,945 - Yeah, I think that he's been successful 72 00:02:58,945 --> 00:03:02,715 in many of the things that he has wanted to do. 73 00:03:02,715 --> 00:03:05,485 Obviously, the thing that stands out is crime. 74 00:03:05,485 --> 00:03:08,054 And I believe that there have been challenges there, 75 00:03:08,054 --> 00:03:10,190 and he would've probably wanted 76 00:03:10,190 --> 00:03:12,559 to be a little more successful 77 00:03:12,559 --> 00:03:15,495 or have that improved a little more 78 00:03:16,696 --> 00:03:18,798 by the time he left office. 79 00:03:18,798 --> 00:03:21,968 Obviously, the pandemic was a big issue 80 00:03:21,968 --> 00:03:23,436 during his administration, 81 00:03:23,436 --> 00:03:26,206 and that affected crime and mental health. 82 00:03:26,206 --> 00:03:28,541 And so I think that's something that he probably wanted 83 00:03:28,541 --> 00:03:31,044 to improve upon a little more. 84 00:03:31,044 --> 00:03:33,780 - For you, if you win, what is your approach to crime? 85 00:03:33,780 --> 00:03:35,215 We still have a crime problem. 86 00:03:35,215 --> 00:03:36,849 I mean, what is that approach going to be? 87 00:03:36,849 --> 00:03:40,153 - Well, you know, I'm not there to defund the police, 88 00:03:40,153 --> 00:03:42,355 but I am there to reform. 89 00:03:42,355 --> 00:03:44,490 Obviously, we want more officers. 90 00:03:44,490 --> 00:03:46,826 That's something that everyone has stated, 91 00:03:46,826 --> 00:03:50,630 but we also need to focus on intervention and prevention. 92 00:03:50,630 --> 00:03:52,565 So that means using the example 93 00:03:52,565 --> 00:03:55,535 of what the Boys and Girls Club did in Craigmont. 94 00:03:55,535 --> 00:03:58,438 The Boys and Girls Club goes into Craigmont, 95 00:03:58,438 --> 00:04:00,840 and they have this mentoring program for the young people 96 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:04,477 that want to join 100% graduation rate as opposed 97 00:04:04,477 --> 00:04:08,781 to a 73% graduation rate for those at Craigmont 98 00:04:08,781 --> 00:04:10,183 who are not in that program. 99 00:04:10,183 --> 00:04:12,285 That's an example that needs to be scaled up 100 00:04:12,285 --> 00:04:13,786 and needs to be modeled 101 00:04:13,786 --> 00:04:15,588 in all of our high schools, if possible. 102 00:04:15,588 --> 00:04:16,856 And then, prevention. 103 00:04:16,856 --> 00:04:19,559 We know that fifth grade reading levels are key. 104 00:04:19,559 --> 00:04:22,195 If our young people are not reading on grade level 105 00:04:22,195 --> 00:04:24,530 by fifth grade, there's a chance of truancy 106 00:04:24,530 --> 00:04:26,332 and a chance that they drop out. 107 00:04:26,332 --> 00:04:29,068 And obviously, we don't want any of that to happen 108 00:04:29,068 --> 00:04:31,671 because all that's left is 109 00:04:31,671 --> 00:04:36,376 to enter into perhaps a life of crime or doing some things 110 00:04:36,376 --> 00:04:38,444 that we don't want to see them doing. 111 00:04:38,444 --> 00:04:40,380 So that's my strategy. 112 00:04:40,380 --> 00:04:42,382 We are down by 500 officers, 113 00:04:42,382 --> 00:04:44,017 and we need those officers in order 114 00:04:44,017 --> 00:04:48,321 to do the community policing that so many individuals want. 115 00:04:48,321 --> 00:04:49,856 - How do you get them hired? 116 00:04:49,856 --> 00:04:52,625 I mean, Jim Strickland came in wanting to get to 2,500. 117 00:04:52,625 --> 00:04:55,194 The number of police has been at 1,950, 118 00:04:55,194 --> 00:04:56,429 maybe a little over 2,000. 119 00:04:56,429 --> 00:04:57,630 It's been in that range. 120 00:04:57,630 --> 00:04:59,532 It is, to be fair, as he has pointed out 121 00:04:59,532 --> 00:05:00,833 and others have pointed out, 122 00:05:00,833 --> 00:05:02,068 police forces across the country, 123 00:05:02,068 --> 00:05:03,403 urban police forces particularly, 124 00:05:03,403 --> 00:05:04,904 are really struggling to hire. 125 00:05:04,904 --> 00:05:08,308 But how would you get to 500 or get those 500 more? 126 00:05:08,308 --> 00:05:09,909 - Yeah, well, I think what they just did 127 00:05:09,909 --> 00:05:12,345 in this budget was just passed, 128 00:05:12,345 --> 00:05:15,048 it was about approximately $800-million budget, 129 00:05:15,048 --> 00:05:17,283 they increased the pay for officers. 130 00:05:17,283 --> 00:05:19,619 They have also put other incentives in place. 131 00:05:19,619 --> 00:05:24,190 I think we just keep leaning into those kinds of things 132 00:05:26,125 --> 00:05:30,630 that will allow us to attract more officers to the force. 133 00:05:30,630 --> 00:05:33,633 Also, we have to see what's going on with our young people 134 00:05:33,633 --> 00:05:34,734 who are here. 135 00:05:35,935 --> 00:05:37,503 Have we reached out to LeMoyne-Owen College? 136 00:05:37,503 --> 00:05:39,072 Have we reached out to Southwest? 137 00:05:39,072 --> 00:05:41,674 Have we been reaching out to University of Memphis 138 00:05:41,674 --> 00:05:43,176 in order to make sure 139 00:05:43,176 --> 00:05:47,513 that we're cultivating those graduates going into a career 140 00:05:48,247 --> 00:05:49,482 of law enforcement? 141 00:05:49,482 --> 00:05:52,051 And so we will lean into that as well. 142 00:05:52,051 --> 00:05:54,921 Furthermore, we are the capital of the Mid-South. 143 00:05:54,921 --> 00:05:57,123 That means we have relationships with Mississippi 144 00:05:57,123 --> 00:06:00,460 and Arkansas that we could utilize as well. 145 00:06:00,460 --> 00:06:02,261 But I think we have to rebuild the trust. 146 00:06:02,261 --> 00:06:06,499 Obviously, the Tyre Nichols incident has broken the trust. 147 00:06:06,499 --> 00:06:09,535 So when we say reform, we mean top-down, bottom-up 148 00:06:09,535 --> 00:06:11,104 to rebuild that trust. 149 00:06:11,104 --> 00:06:12,438 And once that happens, 150 00:06:12,438 --> 00:06:16,309 I think we can better incentivize individuals 151 00:06:16,309 --> 00:06:18,010 to join the force 152 00:06:18,010 --> 00:06:19,579 because the morale will be boosted, 153 00:06:19,579 --> 00:06:21,514 the trust will be there, 154 00:06:21,514 --> 00:06:24,117 and I think we can see the change and the reform 155 00:06:24,117 --> 00:06:25,118 that we need. 156 00:06:25,118 --> 00:06:26,786 - Let me bring in Bill. 157 00:06:26,786 --> 00:06:31,791 - And to your point about that, I think, just my opinion, 158 00:06:31,791 --> 00:06:35,928 our discussion about crime and police reform 159 00:06:36,929 --> 00:06:41,934 kind of swings like a pendulum based on what is happening 160 00:06:41,934 --> 00:06:43,603 at the moment. 161 00:06:43,603 --> 00:06:45,671 So we go toward we gotta deal with crime. 162 00:06:45,671 --> 00:06:47,206 Then, the pendulum swings 163 00:06:47,206 --> 00:06:49,275 and it's like we have to do something about the police. 164 00:06:49,275 --> 00:06:52,578 We have to rebuild trust, as you said. 165 00:06:52,578 --> 00:06:54,380 And if you look at this 166 00:06:54,380 --> 00:06:57,350 from the outside, you can get the feeling 167 00:06:57,350 --> 00:07:01,888 that those two pursuits are mutually exclusive 168 00:07:01,888 --> 00:07:04,724 or that they are opposing goals 169 00:07:04,724 --> 00:07:08,561 that if you have one, you can't have the other. 170 00:07:08,561 --> 00:07:11,964 How do you get past that kind of rhythm 171 00:07:11,964 --> 00:07:15,101 that our local civic debate has taken on 172 00:07:15,101 --> 00:07:17,069 for several years now? 173 00:07:17,069 --> 00:07:18,604 - Yeah, well, I think 174 00:07:18,604 --> 00:07:21,607 the Department of Justice investigation will assist. 175 00:07:21,607 --> 00:07:26,612 Obviously, everyone is interested in the root cause, 176 00:07:26,612 --> 00:07:27,914 and I think it's important 177 00:07:27,914 --> 00:07:30,783 to have a third-party neutral come in 178 00:07:30,783 --> 00:07:33,352 and just call balls and strikes. 179 00:07:33,352 --> 00:07:37,123 This is not the Memphis Police Department 180 00:07:37,123 --> 00:07:38,958 looking at itself. 181 00:07:38,958 --> 00:07:41,294 This is not the mayor looking at what's going on. 182 00:07:41,294 --> 00:07:43,396 This is not even the state. 183 00:07:43,396 --> 00:07:45,631 This is the Department of Justice coming in 184 00:07:45,631 --> 00:07:48,801 with the neutral eyes saying, "These are the root causes, 185 00:07:48,801 --> 00:07:51,304 "these are the issues, this is what can be improved. 186 00:07:51,304 --> 00:07:53,506 Here's our report. Now, go." 187 00:07:53,506 --> 00:07:55,141 And once we have that report, 188 00:07:55,141 --> 00:07:57,410 I think we can really in earnest, 189 00:07:57,410 --> 00:08:01,013 and in earnest, just start to rebuild that trust. 190 00:08:01,013 --> 00:08:03,749 Because we can say to individuals in the community, 191 00:08:03,749 --> 00:08:07,987 "We know what led to the Tyre Nichols incident. 192 00:08:07,987 --> 00:08:10,857 "The Department of Justice is going back five years. 193 00:08:10,857 --> 00:08:13,125 "Here's a road to improvement. 194 00:08:13,125 --> 00:08:15,161 "Help us to improve. 195 00:08:15,161 --> 00:08:17,196 "Help us to rebuild this trust. 196 00:08:17,196 --> 00:08:19,499 "Help us to get back to community policing." 197 00:08:19,499 --> 00:08:22,668 And I think once individuals in Memphis 198 00:08:22,668 --> 00:08:25,838 and in this community see that plan of action, 199 00:08:25,838 --> 00:08:27,840 see what the report says, I think we can 200 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:31,277 in earnest start building back what we need to build back. 201 00:08:31,277 --> 00:08:33,579 That's trust between law enforcement and community, 202 00:08:33,579 --> 00:08:35,815 and we can chart out a better path. 203 00:08:35,815 --> 00:08:39,285 - Mayor Strickland has expressed some concerns 204 00:08:39,285 --> 00:08:42,488 about the Department of Justice review 205 00:08:42,488 --> 00:08:47,493 and has voiced concern that it might make it more difficult 206 00:08:47,493 --> 00:08:50,229 for the Memphis Police Department to recruit the number 207 00:08:50,229 --> 00:08:52,398 of officers that it needs. 208 00:08:55,167 --> 00:08:58,037 Do you share his concern on that specific point? 209 00:08:58,037 --> 00:08:59,872 - No, I think it's the reverse. 210 00:08:59,872 --> 00:09:02,909 I think once we show that we are cleaning house, 211 00:09:02,909 --> 00:09:04,977 this is a better force, it's a force 212 00:09:04,977 --> 00:09:08,948 that has a new direction, yes, it's taken a hit 213 00:09:08,948 --> 00:09:10,950 with the Tyre Nichols incident 214 00:09:10,950 --> 00:09:13,352 but there is an improvement plan, 215 00:09:13,352 --> 00:09:15,321 there's reform from the top-down, 216 00:09:15,321 --> 00:09:17,890 there's better leadership, there's better training, 217 00:09:17,890 --> 00:09:21,360 I think that will improve what's going on 218 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:22,728 with the Memphis Police Department. 219 00:09:22,728 --> 00:09:25,398 And we could probably attract more individuals 220 00:09:25,398 --> 00:09:27,266 who are a little concerned now. 221 00:09:27,266 --> 00:09:30,536 I mean, obviously, we're pulling from the community. 222 00:09:30,536 --> 00:09:34,307 Bill, I was at 201 just recently, 223 00:09:34,307 --> 00:09:36,542 and I saw officers greeting some 224 00:09:36,542 --> 00:09:39,612 of the individuals who were going into 201 Poplar. 225 00:09:39,612 --> 00:09:41,080 Now, I'm not saying that they were going in 226 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:42,648 for a criminal incident, 227 00:09:42,648 --> 00:09:44,784 but the officers know the individuals 228 00:09:44,784 --> 00:09:47,286 who are going into 201. 229 00:09:47,286 --> 00:09:49,488 We all grew up together in this community, 230 00:09:49,488 --> 00:09:50,990 and so that's where we're pulling from, 231 00:09:50,990 --> 00:09:52,992 so we have to rebuild that trust. 232 00:09:52,992 --> 00:09:55,528 We have to get back to community policing. 233 00:09:55,528 --> 00:09:57,697 And I think once we do that, we'll see the change 234 00:09:57,697 --> 00:10:00,099 and the difference that we want. 235 00:10:00,099 --> 00:10:03,135 - You have worked with Attorney Benjamin Crump, 236 00:10:03,135 --> 00:10:07,006 who is representing Tyre Nichols' family, 237 00:10:07,006 --> 00:10:09,709 who's also representing I believe at least 238 00:10:09,709 --> 00:10:12,645 one other family that is involved in this. 239 00:10:12,645 --> 00:10:16,616 And the lawsuit has been filed by the Nichols family. 240 00:10:16,616 --> 00:10:20,653 So tell me how this works if you're elected mayor 241 00:10:20,653 --> 00:10:24,023 and that lawsuit is still pending. 242 00:10:24,023 --> 00:10:28,294 - Well, we will have to settle the lawsuit if possible, 243 00:10:28,294 --> 00:10:30,496 and we would treat that lawsuit like we would treat 244 00:10:30,496 --> 00:10:32,264 any number of cases 245 00:10:32,264 --> 00:10:34,333 which come before city government. 246 00:10:34,333 --> 00:10:36,002 I think it helps that I'm there. 247 00:10:36,002 --> 00:10:37,536 I know the other side. 248 00:10:37,536 --> 00:10:40,673 I feel the pain of Ms. RowVaughn Wells. 249 00:10:40,673 --> 00:10:42,408 I have a pretty good sense 250 00:10:42,408 --> 00:10:45,211 of perhaps what a good settlement should look like 251 00:10:45,211 --> 00:10:48,247 because I've handled these multimillion dollar cases before 252 00:10:48,247 --> 00:10:50,049 in my 20 years of practice. 253 00:10:50,049 --> 00:10:53,152 So I think it's helpful to have someone who's been 254 00:10:53,152 --> 00:10:57,590 on the other side now sitting as mayor to make a fair 255 00:10:57,590 --> 00:11:00,893 and equitable determination and to assist 256 00:11:00,893 --> 00:11:03,796 in a good resolution to this case. 257 00:11:03,796 --> 00:11:05,564 It needs to be resolved. 258 00:11:05,564 --> 00:11:08,834 No mother should endure what Ms. Wells endured. 259 00:11:08,834 --> 00:11:10,503 The city has to pay. 260 00:11:11,370 --> 00:11:12,838 We have to make it right, 261 00:11:12,838 --> 00:11:16,409 and we will make it right if I'm elected mayor. 262 00:11:16,409 --> 00:11:19,612 And that's something that I feel comfortable doing. 263 00:11:19,612 --> 00:11:22,248 - The city's position now has been 264 00:11:22,248 --> 00:11:25,184 that these were rogue officers, 265 00:11:25,184 --> 00:11:28,654 that this incident does not reflect on the policies 266 00:11:28,654 --> 00:11:31,957 and practices of the Memphis Police Department. 267 00:11:31,957 --> 00:11:33,426 What about that? 268 00:11:33,426 --> 00:11:35,461 - Yeah, I'm sure they filed the motions. 269 00:11:35,461 --> 00:11:38,464 And obviously, that's what you do in litigation, 270 00:11:38,464 --> 00:11:41,267 but I think that there's something amiss. 271 00:11:41,267 --> 00:11:43,069 The Department of Justice is in looking 272 00:11:43,069 --> 00:11:44,637 at pattern and practice. 273 00:11:44,637 --> 00:11:47,640 And so to some extent, has this been an issue before? 274 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:50,576 I think there's another lawsuit dealing with this unit, 275 00:11:50,576 --> 00:11:52,945 and this incident occurred before Tyre Nichols. 276 00:11:52,945 --> 00:11:55,314 And so it may not have been the training, 277 00:11:55,314 --> 00:11:59,685 but if it was the practice or procedure of this unit 278 00:11:59,685 --> 00:12:01,954 and of others involved with the Memphis Police Department, 279 00:12:01,954 --> 00:12:03,389 then it's an issue. 280 00:12:03,389 --> 00:12:05,458 And I feel like I'm negotiating against myself 281 00:12:05,458 --> 00:12:09,328 if I'm selected as mayor, but the facts are what they are. 282 00:12:10,463 --> 00:12:12,064 We need to clean this up. 283 00:12:12,064 --> 00:12:13,299 We need to improve it. 284 00:12:13,299 --> 00:12:14,400 We need to make it better. 285 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,602 We need to make sure it doesn't happen again. 286 00:12:16,602 --> 00:12:19,405 And I'm committed to doing so. 287 00:12:19,405 --> 00:12:20,806 - Just to clarify one thing, 288 00:12:20,806 --> 00:12:23,075 and when we did your intro, you are an attorney. 289 00:12:23,075 --> 00:12:24,577 I know that, not everyone does. 290 00:12:24,577 --> 00:12:26,746 You are not an attorney for Tyre Nichols 291 00:12:26,746 --> 00:12:29,014 or the Nichols family, just to clarify that. 292 00:12:29,014 --> 00:12:31,083 - Right. - Being on the other side of it. 293 00:12:31,083 --> 00:12:32,318 - Correct. 294 00:12:32,318 --> 00:12:34,954 - That's more your former role is head of local NAACP. 295 00:12:34,954 --> 00:12:36,088 - Right, that's correct. 296 00:12:36,088 --> 00:12:37,523 - And a family advisor, not a lawyer. 297 00:12:37,523 --> 00:12:38,758 - Right, right. 298 00:12:38,758 --> 00:12:39,925 - Okay, 'cause you wouldn't be able 299 00:12:39,925 --> 00:12:41,193 to be on both sides. - No, no sir. 300 00:12:41,193 --> 00:12:42,862 - If you were a lawyer to the Nichols family, 301 00:12:42,862 --> 00:12:45,164 you would have to recuse or kind of step aside, okay. 302 00:12:45,164 --> 00:12:46,632 - Yeah, yeah, it would be a conflict. 303 00:12:46,632 --> 00:12:48,634 - Okay, just to clarify, thank you. 304 00:12:48,634 --> 00:12:51,937 Stay with guns, guns, ha, stay with crime for a bit. 305 00:12:51,937 --> 00:12:54,273 Two things that there is immense frustration about 306 00:12:54,273 --> 00:12:56,976 that we hear about it, it showed up in a big city 307 00:12:56,976 --> 00:12:59,645 and countywide poll we did about attitudes around crime. 308 00:12:59,645 --> 00:13:01,380 It comes up in conversations at this table 309 00:13:01,380 --> 00:13:03,883 and has for years now is guns. 310 00:13:05,050 --> 00:13:08,988 As Memphis mayor, there is not a lot, I mean, 311 00:13:08,988 --> 00:13:11,657 gun laws are generally federal or they are state. 312 00:13:11,657 --> 00:13:14,460 And in a very, I mean, the governor has set the date 313 00:13:14,460 --> 00:13:16,662 for a special session around guns. 314 00:13:16,662 --> 00:13:18,631 It's a very limited agenda. 315 00:13:18,631 --> 00:13:20,166 I think there are, for most people, 316 00:13:20,166 --> 00:13:23,636 very limited expectations of what might come out of that. 317 00:13:23,636 --> 00:13:25,037 City Council, meanwhile, is trying 318 00:13:25,037 --> 00:13:26,438 to put forward a referendum 319 00:13:26,438 --> 00:13:29,208 where they would ban I think, what, assault weapons, 320 00:13:29,208 --> 00:13:31,744 and certain types of gun in the city of Memphis. 321 00:13:31,744 --> 00:13:33,012 Likely to go to court. 322 00:13:33,012 --> 00:13:35,681 It seems most observers will say likely to lose, 323 00:13:35,681 --> 00:13:37,183 but it's at least a symbolic act. 324 00:13:37,183 --> 00:13:41,253 What really can the city mayor do about guns, 325 00:13:41,253 --> 00:13:43,522 assault weapons, semi-automatic weapons, 326 00:13:43,522 --> 00:13:46,559 and just the wide availability of guns. 327 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:48,961 - Right, I mean, the mayor has the bully pulpit, 328 00:13:48,961 --> 00:13:50,229 and you're exactly right. 329 00:13:50,229 --> 00:13:51,897 This is state law, 330 00:13:51,897 --> 00:13:56,035 and the only way you can usurp state law is by federal law. 331 00:13:56,035 --> 00:13:57,837 And so the litigation is good. 332 00:13:57,837 --> 00:14:00,573 I would expect that it will go to federal court. 333 00:14:00,573 --> 00:14:05,578 And even if the city loses, you build what we call a record. 334 00:14:05,578 --> 00:14:07,847 And why is that important? 335 00:14:07,847 --> 00:14:10,282 The struggle for the Voting Rights Act of '65, 336 00:14:10,282 --> 00:14:14,753 the Civil Rights Act of '64 didn't start in '64, '65. 337 00:14:14,753 --> 00:14:19,491 It started in the '50s, during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, 338 00:14:19,491 --> 00:14:22,194 during the decision involving 339 00:14:22,194 --> 00:14:24,496 Brown vs. Board of Education. 340 00:14:24,496 --> 00:14:26,532 So we can't look at the here and now, 341 00:14:26,532 --> 00:14:28,200 but we have to build a record. 342 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:30,669 We have to keep agitating. We have to keep fighting. 343 00:14:30,669 --> 00:14:34,607 We have to make sure that we are using all that we can 344 00:14:34,607 --> 00:14:36,575 to create the change that we want. 345 00:14:36,575 --> 00:14:38,043 And I am confident. 346 00:14:38,043 --> 00:14:42,681 I am positive that we will get that change that we need. 347 00:14:42,681 --> 00:14:45,684 We actually are restoring the ban against assault weapons. 348 00:14:45,684 --> 00:14:48,754 We've had it before, and it was lifted. 349 00:14:48,754 --> 00:14:51,023 And so we just have to keep agitating. 350 00:14:51,023 --> 00:14:53,425 We have to keep moving in that direction. 351 00:14:53,425 --> 00:14:55,728 And I'm confident that it will happen again. 352 00:14:55,728 --> 00:14:57,162 But we have to use the courts, 353 00:14:57,162 --> 00:14:58,797 and we take that record to Congress. 354 00:14:58,797 --> 00:15:00,799 That's why it's important. 355 00:15:00,799 --> 00:15:03,936 We take that record to Congress and we fight, 356 00:15:03,936 --> 00:15:06,705 and we argue, and we agitate, and we march, 357 00:15:06,705 --> 00:15:10,876 and we keep pushing on this issue until change occurs. 358 00:15:10,876 --> 00:15:14,146 And I think that, that's something that will happen. 359 00:15:14,146 --> 00:15:16,682 - Another area that there tends to be a lot 360 00:15:16,682 --> 00:15:18,951 of frustration about, a lot of discussion 361 00:15:18,951 --> 00:15:23,389 and disagreement about is the rules around the release 362 00:15:23,389 --> 00:15:25,758 of people picked up and accused of crimes, 363 00:15:25,758 --> 00:15:27,726 whether that's going through judicial commissioners, 364 00:15:27,726 --> 00:15:30,062 the judges, the DA's office. 365 00:15:30,062 --> 00:15:32,064 Current Mayor Strickland has had a pretty public feud 366 00:15:32,064 --> 00:15:36,001 at this point with relatively new DA Steve Mulroy, 367 00:15:36,001 --> 00:15:37,803 feeling like it's, quote, a revolving door 368 00:15:37,803 --> 00:15:40,172 at 201 Poplar, the jail. 369 00:15:40,172 --> 00:15:41,807 Again, the mayor doesn't, in many ways, doesn't have 370 00:15:41,807 --> 00:15:43,342 much authority over how that works. 371 00:15:43,342 --> 00:15:46,812 That's the DA's purview and the judges and state law. 372 00:15:46,812 --> 00:15:48,380 What, as mayor, would you, what is your, 373 00:15:48,380 --> 00:15:51,116 I guess, what is your take on that notion 374 00:15:51,116 --> 00:15:54,620 that too many criminals or accused criminals 375 00:15:54,620 --> 00:15:57,523 or repeat offenders are released too soon? 376 00:15:57,523 --> 00:15:59,058 - Yeah, well, similar to what was done 377 00:15:59,058 --> 00:16:01,927 during the pandemic, we have to work together 378 00:16:01,927 --> 00:16:05,397 and not point fingers to tackle this issue. 379 00:16:05,397 --> 00:16:09,868 So day one, if I'm sworn in as mayor on January 1, 380 00:16:09,868 --> 00:16:13,205 my next meeting, January 2, January 3, would be 381 00:16:13,205 --> 00:16:15,374 with District Attorney Mulroy. 382 00:16:15,374 --> 00:16:18,210 It would be with Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon. 383 00:16:18,210 --> 00:16:23,048 It would be with the chief of the criminal judiciary. 384 00:16:23,048 --> 00:16:27,353 And we will have to come together and be on the same page 385 00:16:27,353 --> 00:16:30,289 as it relates to how we are going to move forward 386 00:16:30,289 --> 00:16:31,890 with addressing crime. 387 00:16:31,890 --> 00:16:35,194 Our officers or the police officers will pick 388 00:16:35,194 --> 00:16:38,163 these individuals up, and we need to make sure 389 00:16:38,163 --> 00:16:39,865 that we are all on the same page 390 00:16:39,865 --> 00:16:41,367 as to what happens after that. 391 00:16:41,367 --> 00:16:42,301 - What does that page look like? 392 00:16:42,301 --> 00:16:43,969 - Right, so that page looks like 393 00:16:43,969 --> 00:16:47,606 if we are going to 394 00:16:47,606 --> 00:16:52,611 release an individual who may be violent, 395 00:16:53,545 --> 00:16:58,217 may be in danger of recidivism, going back into the system, 396 00:16:58,217 --> 00:17:02,654 we need to have a program in place to watch that individual 397 00:17:02,654 --> 00:17:04,423 to safeguard the community, 398 00:17:04,423 --> 00:17:06,792 and be sure we're reaching out to the parents or caregivers 399 00:17:06,792 --> 00:17:09,395 of that individual so we can hold them accountable 400 00:17:09,395 --> 00:17:12,531 for what's going on with the person that's in their home. 401 00:17:12,531 --> 00:17:15,934 So we just can't leave it at releasing this person back out. 402 00:17:15,934 --> 00:17:17,836 So how can the mayor help? 403 00:17:17,836 --> 00:17:19,304 How can the city help? 404 00:17:19,304 --> 00:17:21,807 We need to assist the court system 405 00:17:21,807 --> 00:17:23,475 with monitoring these individuals. 406 00:17:23,475 --> 00:17:25,411 And I forgot, we need to bring in the superintendent 407 00:17:25,411 --> 00:17:26,645 of schools. 408 00:17:26,645 --> 00:17:28,981 'Cause many of these young people should be in school. 409 00:17:28,981 --> 00:17:31,316 Are these young people in school? 410 00:17:31,316 --> 00:17:32,518 Are they truant? 411 00:17:32,518 --> 00:17:33,952 If they're truant and not in school, we need to work 412 00:17:33,952 --> 00:17:36,422 to get them into an educational program. 413 00:17:36,422 --> 00:17:39,324 So we need to extend our community centers 414 00:17:39,324 --> 00:17:40,926 and offer the wraparound services 415 00:17:40,926 --> 00:17:42,461 that these young people may need. 416 00:17:42,461 --> 00:17:45,297 So I think those are the things that the mayor can do. 417 00:17:45,297 --> 00:17:46,698 - With apologies to Bill, I mean, 418 00:17:46,698 --> 00:17:48,667 that's a whole lot more money 419 00:17:48,667 --> 00:17:50,402 that would be spent by the city to do? 420 00:17:50,402 --> 00:17:52,838 I mean, 'cause a lot of people sit at this table, 421 00:17:52,838 --> 00:17:54,239 and I take them at their word, 422 00:17:54,239 --> 00:17:56,608 and they talk about those kinds of things. 423 00:17:56,608 --> 00:17:58,143 It hasn't happened. 424 00:17:58,143 --> 00:17:59,878 I think everyone agrees there's some pilot programs 425 00:17:59,878 --> 00:18:00,979 and so on. 426 00:18:00,979 --> 00:18:02,481 One problem, it's money. 427 00:18:02,481 --> 00:18:04,817 So are you committing that the city of Memphis would commit 428 00:18:04,817 --> 00:18:06,585 to more community center, more monitoring, 429 00:18:06,585 --> 00:18:08,921 more of the kinds of things you're talking about? 430 00:18:08,921 --> 00:18:10,255 'Cause somebody's gotta pay for it? 431 00:18:10,255 --> 00:18:11,657 - Well, I mean we have to. 432 00:18:11,657 --> 00:18:13,492 I think a recent post suggested that people are willing 433 00:18:13,492 --> 00:18:17,463 to pay more to resolve crime in this community. 434 00:18:17,463 --> 00:18:21,300 And I think that's what we potentially have to look at. 435 00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:24,803 Now, do we go right to a tax rate increase? No. 436 00:18:24,803 --> 00:18:28,774 But we do need to look at private-public partnerships. 437 00:18:28,774 --> 00:18:31,944 We need to look at what federal grants we can receive. 438 00:18:31,944 --> 00:18:35,214 And I think we look at, we exhaust every other mechanism 439 00:18:35,214 --> 00:18:38,283 that we can exhaust before adjusting the tax rate 440 00:18:38,283 --> 00:18:40,919 in order to get the resources we need in 441 00:18:40,919 --> 00:18:44,556 to improve upon our crime remediation. 442 00:18:44,556 --> 00:18:45,791 We have to do it. 443 00:18:45,791 --> 00:18:48,427 - All right, let me bring in Bill. 444 00:18:48,427 --> 00:18:50,829 - Every mayor under the mayor-council form 445 00:18:50,829 --> 00:18:55,834 of government has chosen a new police director, 446 00:18:58,203 --> 00:18:59,771 either when they took office 447 00:18:59,771 --> 00:19:04,443 or at some point during the first year in their tenure 448 00:19:04,443 --> 00:19:08,780 since the police director's position has been there. 449 00:19:10,415 --> 00:19:14,086 First of all, have you made any decision 450 00:19:14,086 --> 00:19:15,754 at this point just being a candidate 451 00:19:15,754 --> 00:19:17,789 about whether Chief Davis stays or goes? 452 00:19:17,789 --> 00:19:19,591 And second of all, 453 00:19:19,591 --> 00:19:23,662 in the timing of naming a new police director 454 00:19:23,662 --> 00:19:26,932 or police chief, do you wait for the Department of Justice 455 00:19:26,932 --> 00:19:29,701 to complete what it's doing or can you, 456 00:19:29,701 --> 00:19:32,571 seeing as how that's gonna take a few years? 457 00:19:32,571 --> 00:19:34,039 - Yeah, I would hope 458 00:19:34,039 --> 00:19:36,608 that the Department of Justice would understand the need 459 00:19:36,608 --> 00:19:40,445 to move pretty quickly on this issue. 460 00:19:40,445 --> 00:19:42,347 I'm not committed to keeping the chief. 461 00:19:42,347 --> 00:19:47,286 I'm not committed to letting, you know, letting her go. 462 00:19:47,286 --> 00:19:50,155 I think that we have to have a transition team. 463 00:19:50,155 --> 00:19:52,891 We have to look at where the DOJ is at that time, 464 00:19:52,891 --> 00:19:55,794 and then we have to make a call. 465 00:19:55,794 --> 00:19:59,731 I believe that we need to do something, 466 00:19:59,731 --> 00:20:03,502 and does that mean reform from the top-down? 467 00:20:03,502 --> 00:20:05,804 Meaning, we need a new chief? We'll see. 468 00:20:05,804 --> 00:20:09,341 Does it mean reforming from the bottom-up? 469 00:20:09,341 --> 00:20:11,810 You know, are we needing to address what's going on 470 00:20:11,810 --> 00:20:13,178 in the training academy? 471 00:20:13,178 --> 00:20:14,379 We'll have to see. 472 00:20:14,379 --> 00:20:15,981 But I think it would be premature 473 00:20:15,981 --> 00:20:19,151 and almost malpractice for me to say, 474 00:20:19,151 --> 00:20:21,019 "Hey, I might get a lot of points 475 00:20:21,019 --> 00:20:23,989 "by bringing out the pitchforks and the stakes 476 00:20:23,989 --> 00:20:26,058 "and saying we're going after Chief Davis. 477 00:20:26,058 --> 00:20:28,026 She's what's wrong." 478 00:20:28,026 --> 00:20:30,529 Obviously, there's a systemic problem. 479 00:20:30,529 --> 00:20:31,964 There was crime and there were issues 480 00:20:31,964 --> 00:20:33,832 before Chief Davis got there. 481 00:20:33,832 --> 00:20:36,969 Was she in a place or was she in a posture 482 00:20:36,969 --> 00:20:40,939 of reforming the issues or was she just there to go along 483 00:20:40,939 --> 00:20:42,174 to get along? 484 00:20:42,174 --> 00:20:44,610 The Department of Justice report would bear that out. 485 00:20:44,610 --> 00:20:46,245 And I think we have to be thoughtful. 486 00:20:46,245 --> 00:20:49,948 I mean, to some folks, I gain a lot of points by saying, 487 00:20:49,948 --> 00:20:53,518 "Hey, we're gonna take the chief out day one." 488 00:20:53,518 --> 00:20:55,787 To other folks, I gain a lot of points with saying, 489 00:20:55,787 --> 00:20:57,489 "Hey, she's the first black woman chief. 490 00:20:57,489 --> 00:21:00,425 "We're gonna let her stay and respect that fact 491 00:21:00,425 --> 00:21:02,861 and let her have time to work her plan." 492 00:21:02,861 --> 00:21:06,531 I think the answer is let's get the DOJ report. 493 00:21:06,531 --> 00:21:09,534 Let's look at the transition team, see what it says, 494 00:21:09,534 --> 00:21:12,404 and then we make a thoughtful call on that issue. 495 00:21:12,404 --> 00:21:15,274 We don't try to gain political points one way or the other. 496 00:21:15,274 --> 00:21:16,942 We do what's best for the police force 497 00:21:16,942 --> 00:21:21,313 and what's best for the citizens of Memphis. 498 00:21:21,313 --> 00:21:24,449 - There has been a whole lot of discussion lately 499 00:21:24,449 --> 00:21:27,753 and ironically after there was the deadline to withdraw 500 00:21:27,753 --> 00:21:31,290 from the ballot if a candidate in the mayor's race 501 00:21:31,290 --> 00:21:34,026 or the Council race chose to do so. 502 00:21:34,026 --> 00:21:36,161 But it goes something like this, 503 00:21:36,161 --> 00:21:38,830 there's too many people in the race for mayor, 504 00:21:38,830 --> 00:21:41,166 and that raises the possibility 505 00:21:41,166 --> 00:21:42,434 that someone could be elected 506 00:21:42,434 --> 00:21:44,770 with less than a majority of the vote. 507 00:21:44,770 --> 00:21:48,440 Are there too many people in the race and can you win? 508 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:51,143 Can someone win with a majority of the votes 509 00:21:51,143 --> 00:21:53,211 with 17 people in that race? 510 00:21:53,211 --> 00:21:55,914 - No, I don't think the winner on October 5 wins 511 00:21:55,914 --> 00:21:57,683 with the majority of the vote. 512 00:21:57,683 --> 00:21:59,718 There's no runoff, there's no primary, 513 00:21:59,718 --> 00:22:02,354 so that it's winner take all that night. 514 00:22:02,354 --> 00:22:03,789 This is America. 515 00:22:03,789 --> 00:22:08,593 And so I would be undemocratic to say to any individual 516 00:22:08,593 --> 00:22:12,197 in a democracy, "You shouldn't run" or, "You can't run." 517 00:22:12,197 --> 00:22:16,168 Would I have wanted fewer candidates? Yes. 518 00:22:16,168 --> 00:22:18,270 Is that what we're dealing with? No. 519 00:22:18,270 --> 00:22:21,006 The deadline has passed, and so the field is set, 520 00:22:21,006 --> 00:22:22,974 and we have to work the field 521 00:22:22,974 --> 00:22:25,243 and play with the cards that we've been dealt. 522 00:22:25,243 --> 00:22:26,812 I think I'm the best candidate. 523 00:22:26,812 --> 00:22:28,380 I think I stand on my record. 524 00:22:28,380 --> 00:22:31,583 I have a proven track record of getting the tough jobs done. 525 00:22:31,583 --> 00:22:34,252 I'll continue to get those tough jobs done 526 00:22:34,252 --> 00:22:36,154 if elected as the next mayor. 527 00:22:36,154 --> 00:22:37,756 And obviously, we'll submit our case 528 00:22:37,756 --> 00:22:39,091 to the voters of Memphis. 529 00:22:39,091 --> 00:22:42,661 And hopefully, they'll come back and say 530 00:22:42,661 --> 00:22:44,863 that Van Turner should be the next mayor. 531 00:22:44,863 --> 00:22:46,031 - With just three minutes left, 532 00:22:46,031 --> 00:22:47,265 I'm gonna run through a bunch of stuff 533 00:22:47,265 --> 00:22:48,533 that we could do an entire show on. 534 00:22:48,533 --> 00:22:50,135 So with apologies, I'm gonna kinda try 535 00:22:50,135 --> 00:22:53,004 to move through some things. 536 00:22:53,004 --> 00:22:54,906 One of those that we talked about all the people 537 00:22:54,906 --> 00:22:57,943 in the ballot, there was a lawsuit around residency. 538 00:22:57,943 --> 00:23:00,512 There were questions around your residency, Floyd Bonner, 539 00:23:00,512 --> 00:23:02,547 some questions around former Mayor Herenton. 540 00:23:02,547 --> 00:23:03,382 That was resolved. 541 00:23:03,382 --> 00:23:06,184 You were cleared to run for mayor. 542 00:23:06,184 --> 00:23:08,086 But I hear it. 543 00:23:08,086 --> 00:23:10,589 You must hear it from some people. 544 00:23:10,589 --> 00:23:12,457 They're frustrated you weren't living in Memphis, 545 00:23:12,457 --> 00:23:14,326 and now you wanna be the mayor of Memphis. 546 00:23:14,326 --> 00:23:16,094 Is that a fair frustration? 547 00:23:16,094 --> 00:23:17,562 - No, I don't think so. 548 00:23:17,562 --> 00:23:20,298 Obviously, when they hear what happened, I moved 549 00:23:20,298 --> 00:23:23,602 into the unincorporated county right outside of Memphis, 550 00:23:23,602 --> 00:23:25,070 less than a hundred feet. 551 00:23:25,070 --> 00:23:26,304 We were supposed to be annexed, 552 00:23:26,304 --> 00:23:28,507 but the state stopped annexation. 553 00:23:28,507 --> 00:23:30,675 My intent was to always be in Memphis, 554 00:23:30,675 --> 00:23:32,110 and that never occurred. 555 00:23:32,110 --> 00:23:33,779 - Again, we can talk more on all these issues. 556 00:23:33,779 --> 00:23:35,046 - Right, right, I get it. 557 00:23:35,046 --> 00:23:37,349 - A lot of focus on MLGW for all kinds of reasons, 558 00:23:37,349 --> 00:23:39,217 the many storms, power outages. 559 00:23:39,217 --> 00:23:42,788 Do you support the head of MLGW eight months, nine months 560 00:23:42,788 --> 00:23:44,823 into the job, Doug McGowen? 561 00:23:44,823 --> 00:23:46,258 - I know Doug personally. 562 00:23:46,258 --> 00:23:48,226 We need to give him a chance to work his plan out. 563 00:23:48,226 --> 00:23:51,229 I just saw a recent press conference, he has a plan. 564 00:23:51,229 --> 00:23:52,464 Let's see if the plan works. 565 00:23:52,464 --> 00:23:55,400 If not, we'll look at making adjustments. 566 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:59,037 - You were, I could be wrong on this, 567 00:23:59,037 --> 00:24:01,006 Franklin Haney made a bid to replace, 568 00:24:01,006 --> 00:24:03,642 in the whole argument and process 569 00:24:03,642 --> 00:24:06,411 of looking whether MLGW should move away from TVA 570 00:24:06,411 --> 00:24:08,580 as the primary provider of power. 571 00:24:08,580 --> 00:24:10,515 You worked, I believe, with one of the bidders 572 00:24:10,515 --> 00:24:13,885 or Franklin Haney who put forward a proposal. 573 00:24:13,885 --> 00:24:17,923 Does that cause any conflict given that MLGW is owned 574 00:24:17,923 --> 00:24:19,257 by the city of Memphis? 575 00:24:19,257 --> 00:24:21,059 And the question about TVA 576 00:24:21,059 --> 00:24:23,361 and the future contracts is still a live issue. 577 00:24:23,361 --> 00:24:24,563 How would you handle that? 578 00:24:24,563 --> 00:24:27,098 - No, no, I don't think it causes any issue. 579 00:24:27,098 --> 00:24:29,134 I was an attorney for Mr. Haney, 580 00:24:29,134 --> 00:24:31,770 and I was helping to paper the deal. 581 00:24:31,770 --> 00:24:34,706 I think now as many citizens are realizing, 582 00:24:34,706 --> 00:24:38,543 we need more monies towards our infrastructure 583 00:24:39,711 --> 00:24:41,313 and making sure that we are not dealing 584 00:24:41,313 --> 00:24:42,948 with all of these power outages. 585 00:24:42,948 --> 00:24:45,617 And part of the plan that I was assisting Mr. Haney on 586 00:24:45,617 --> 00:24:48,086 as an attorney dealt with that issue 587 00:24:48,086 --> 00:24:52,023 in diversifying our power supply from TVA. 588 00:24:52,023 --> 00:24:54,292 - Should that process to look at alternatives 589 00:24:54,292 --> 00:24:57,496 to TVA be reopened in the next, if you were mayor? 590 00:24:57,496 --> 00:24:58,897 - I think it's still on the table. 591 00:24:58,897 --> 00:25:00,131 - Okay. - Yep. 592 00:25:00,131 --> 00:25:01,299 - Talking about infrastructure 593 00:25:01,299 --> 00:25:03,168 and spending, roads, a big issue. 594 00:25:03,168 --> 00:25:04,636 If Jim Strickland were here, he would say 595 00:25:04,636 --> 00:25:06,605 that's one of the number, after crime probably, 596 00:25:06,605 --> 00:25:08,707 paraphrasing, I'm sorry, Mayor Strickland, 597 00:25:08,707 --> 00:25:10,041 roads is way up there for him. 598 00:25:10,041 --> 00:25:11,476 It always has been when he was running 599 00:25:11,476 --> 00:25:12,744 and as he's been mayor. 600 00:25:12,744 --> 00:25:14,112 What can the city do? 601 00:25:14,112 --> 00:25:15,313 Can it spend more money? 602 00:25:15,313 --> 00:25:18,350 Is that a place where more taxes ought to be raised? 603 00:25:18,350 --> 00:25:21,086 How do the roads get fixed faster? 604 00:25:21,086 --> 00:25:25,257 - Well, we need to dedicate those resources to making sure 605 00:25:25,257 --> 00:25:29,060 that we don't have the issues of potholes. 606 00:25:29,060 --> 00:25:31,329 I mean, they're tearing up our cars. 607 00:25:31,329 --> 00:25:32,597 The streets are torn up. 608 00:25:32,597 --> 00:25:33,798 We're not paving our streets. 609 00:25:33,798 --> 00:25:36,768 We have to find a solution, and oftentimes, 610 00:25:36,768 --> 00:25:40,205 the solution may not necessarily be raising taxes. 611 00:25:40,205 --> 00:25:41,907 Can we get federal funds in? 612 00:25:41,907 --> 00:25:45,143 Can we adjust our payment in lieu of tax program? 613 00:25:45,143 --> 00:25:48,680 Can we do small adjustments there to bring in more resources 614 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:49,781 to fix our roads? 615 00:25:49,781 --> 00:25:51,016 But we have to do it. 616 00:25:51,016 --> 00:25:52,317 - All right, thank you for the speed round. 617 00:25:52,317 --> 00:25:54,319 I appreciate it 'cause we could spend a lot more time on that. 618 00:25:54,319 --> 00:25:55,520 Thank you, Bill. 619 00:25:55,520 --> 00:25:57,689 Again, this is one of many conversations we're doing 620 00:25:57,689 --> 00:25:59,691 with mayoral candidates. 621 00:25:59,691 --> 00:26:01,726 You can go to wkno.org and get those. 622 00:26:01,726 --> 00:26:05,330 Please tune in next Tuesday at 7 PM right here on WKNO. 623 00:26:05,330 --> 00:26:07,699 We're livestreaming on the internet for a mayor debate 624 00:26:07,699 --> 00:26:10,235 with Van Turner and six, five, 625 00:26:10,235 --> 00:26:11,870 hopefully six other candidates. 626 00:26:11,870 --> 00:26:14,673 Again, that's on Tuesday, August 15th at 7 PM. 627 00:26:14,673 --> 00:26:16,374 Thanks for joining us, and we'll see you next week. 628 00:26:16,374 --> 00:26:19,377 [intense orchestral music] 629 00:26:32,123 --> 00:26:34,125 [acoustic guitar chords]