Sam Shropshire, a Democrat and alderman in Ward 7, said he thinks the city needs more Section 8 vouchers and Habitat for Humanity homes. "The whole damn thing needs to be rebuilt. I've been in these places that are falling apart."
Gilbert Renaut, a Democrat and retired attorney, said, "Redevelopment isn't a bad thing if you have an administration you trust."
Laurie Sears Deppa, a Democrat who joined the race last week, told the audience that she had just learned of the forum a few hours before but had "done research."
"I want to bring a new management style to the city," said Sears Deppa. We need to tighten the ship up." Of public housing, Sears Deppa said, "It shouldn't be a hammock. It should be a safety net."
Wednesday's forum was the second of several planned before the fall election. The candidates are battling for the office held by Mayor Ellen O. Moyer, who is term-limited.
The two-hour forum, attended by about 50 people, began with a three-minute introduction from each candidate, followed by questions from both the housing authority commissioners and the audience. Candidates received one minute to respond to each question. Linda Denning, executive director of the Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center, moderated the forum.
Many of the candidates spoke of their personal encounters with public housing. Pierre said she and her family briefly lived in public housing. Shropshire referred repeatedly to visiting public housing residents and having dinner in their apartments. Renaut said he had campaigned in public housing and "got the warmest welcome."
