Byron Brown answers questions from seven WBFO reporters in this one hour election special focusing on Buffalo's mayoral election.
India Walton answers questions from seven WBFO reporters in this first of two one hour election specials.
The reporters asked questions about their approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities and about issues of equity when it comes to race and gender. They asked about Buffalo's economy and businesses, the health and wellness of our city’s people, and the growing population of older adults.
On the number one issue in the race: There are many issues always confronting a municipality the size of the city of Buffalo. So I don't think there is any one issue that is the issue. I see this campaign as a choice between continuing progress in the city of Buffalo, and continuing to move our community forward, moving forward with proven successful management and ideas for the future, or going backwards with false promises, and fix fictitious ideas for this community.
On developing Buffalo's East side: My top priorities are continuing to work and partner with the growth of black businesses, and other businesses of color. So that's critically important that people from the community are able to build in their community, and have businesses in the community where they live providing services in the community. Also, we have partnered with a lot of majority businesses and developers who understand and support the concept of diversity, equity and inclusion. And we're seeing partnerships now, between majority and minority business people that are making investments on the east side, which is very important.
On housing for the elderly: We have made it easier for people to age in place in the city of Buffalo. We have a variety of programs for senior citizens, senior tax exemptions that lower the financial burden for us seniors, we've cut the tax rate to the lowest level in over 30 years in the city of Buffalo cut property taxes residentialy, commercially in the city of Buffalo that make it better for all homeowners all people owning homes in the city of Buffalo. We've also built over 2200 units of affordable housing in the city. With more than 1000 new units under construction or proposed right now.
On services to and engagement with the disabled: We focused on increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the city of Buffalo. One way that we have done that is ... we've converted some civil service positions...to create opportunities for people with various disabilities to work in our city without having to take civil service exams. So employment has been one area we have focused on. Physical infrastructure, getting complaints from residents of they disabled community about our ramps for people with other abilities, making sure that they are wheelchair ramps, making... sure that sidewalks and areas where people with wheelchairs travel were repaired, you will see even more focus on infrastructure investment that prioritize the needs of the disabled community
Moderated by WBFO News Director Dave Debo, the programs are available here on our website and will air throughout the week, starting Sunday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. on WBFO. Listen at 88.7 FM on a radio or stream it on the mobile app, smart speaker, or here at wbfo.org.
“These programs are different than what our listeners have heard or watched elsewhere so far in the campaigns because our reporters go more in-depth on particular areas. They know their beats, or news desks, so well they can be very specific with the candidates,” Debo said.
“Our reporters asked questions about their approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities and about issues of equity when it comes to race and gender. They asked about Buffalo's economy and businesses, the health and wellness of our city’s people, and the growing population of older adults. These programs will really help our listeners as they head to the voting booth .”
LISTEN ON-AIR
Two consecutive Sundays:
Sunday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. — Mayoral Election 2021 Roundtable: India Walton (pre-empts The Munk Debates)
Sunday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. — Mayoral Election 2021 Roundtable: Byron Brown (pre-empts The Munk Debates)
Two consecutive weekday afternoons:
Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. — Mayoral Election 2021 Roundtable: Byron Brown (pre-empts Fresh Air)
Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. — Mayoral Election 2021 Roundtable: India Walton (pre-empts Fresh Air)
Back-to-back Friday night:
Friday, Oct. 29 at 9 p.m. — Mayoral Election 2021 Roundtable: India Walton (pre-empts Science Friday, hour 1)
Friday, Oct. 29 at 10 p.m. — Mayoral Election 2021 Roundtable: Byron Brown (pre-empts Science Friday, hour 2)
Back-to-back early Saturday:
Saturday, Oct. 30 at 5 a.m. — Mayoral Election 2021 Roundtable: Byron Brown (Pre-empts BBC World News)
Saturday, Oct. 30 6 a.m. — Mayoral Election 2021 Roundtable: India Walton (Pre-empts BBC World News)
On the WBFO Brief Podcast :
Saturday, Oct. 23 Mayoral Election 2021 Roundtable: India Walton (special edition)
Sunday, Oct. 24 Mayoral Election 2021 Roundtable: Byron Brown (special edition)