Binghamton University students and city residents gathered in the crowded Old University Union on Wednesday to see a town hall debate between the candidates for the 2009 mayoral election.
The debate, hosted by BU’s College Republicans and College Democrats and co-sponsored by other campus organizations, pitted current mayor and Democratic candidate Matthew Ryan against Independent candidate Douglas Walter Drazen and Republican candidate Rich David.
Dean of Harpur College Donald Nieman moderated the event.
Alex Paolano, president of the College Republicans, and Laura Chaath, president of College Democrats, stressed the importance of holding this event — which covered issues from R-1 zoning to taxes and the expansion of the University — on campus, and their hope that students will go out to vote.
“Students don’t realize the importance of a BU degree and how it is affected by the state of the city,” said Paolano.
One of the major topics of the debate was the R-1 zoning issue, which stipulates that only people who are considered to be a “factual and functional” family may live in certain areas of the West Side.
When asked about the issue, Ryan said he is advocating a Student Overlay District, an area of the city reserved specifically for BU students.
David said he hopes students will spread out to more than just Downtown and the West Side.
“I do think students should be able to live in any community in Binghamton and that they would be a tremendous asset to these communities,” he said.
When it came to Drazen, he said he believes that students should be treated the same as any other tenants, and he hopes to compile a list of the 100 most troublesome housing areas and look at why they have proved difficult.
“Students, like anyone else, need to be handled according to their actions,” Drazen said. “The properties that need extra special attention will get it; we want to tie these issues to public safety.”
According to Drazen, this would help increase property values as well as focus on troubled individuals, not just students.
Students also raised concern over the University’s impact on the city. Ryan stressed the importance of the Catalysts for Intellectual Capital 2020 (CIC2020) campaign in the city. CIC2020’s goal is to have a 20 percent retention rate of University students in Binghamton by 2020. He also mentioned his support for the placement of the future BU law school and dormitories Downtown.
David noted that he was one of the contributors to the $35 million University Downtown Center, and Drazen stressed the fact that the revenue students and their parents bring into the city is vital because it leads to private wealth creation.
Tax increases were also a major discussion at the event. Both students and residents asked multiple questions regarding the economic plan of the candidates outside of raising taxes.
Ryan stated that during his term, City Hall helped improve the Binghamton Local Development Corporation (BLDC), which sustains economic development in the area. He stated that the BLDC is now thriving and has helped restore many of the houses in the city and bring in more business. He also said that taxes stayed relatively low during his term.
David refuted Ryan’s reasoning and said that the during the current mayor’s term, there were double-digit tax increases. He said he hopes to restore morale in the city by reducing job cuts and lowering taxes.
“I don’t believe that the mayor or city can create jobs by themselves, but they can create a conducive environment for jobs,” he said.
If taxes are not lowered during his term, Drazen said he will make sure not run for re-election.
The last question of the debate focused on the commitment the candidates had to the city.
David said he wants to run the office of the mayor as a business and stressed that voters should base their vote on the person, not the political party.
“I am invested in the city for the long haul,” he said.
Drazen said that he cannot be bought and that as mayor, he solely will work his constituents. He mentioned the idea of holding weekly press conferences to let the community and media know what is going on in the city.
Ryan said he has always been one to stick up for his beliefs and to be honest.
“Our administration has told the truth and will continue to tell the truth,” he said.
— Sophia Rosenbaum contributed to this report