In an era where political debates airing on television and radio are more like cage match boxing or WWF wrestling, it was unusual to listen to a civil, calm debate between two individuals running for a critical office – Mayor of Indianapolis. Joe Hogsett, the former Indiana Secretary of State and United States Attorney and Democratic candidate for Indianapolis Mayor and Chuck Brewer, the form the Maine Colonel who worked his way up the management ladder at Sears and now an restaurant owner in Downtown Indianapolis and Republican candidate for Indianapolis Mayor met in their final debate of the 2015 Mayor Election. The hour long debate was as a special edition of Afternoons with Amos. News was made during the debate. In response to a question about whether either man, if elected Mayor, would retain Rick Hite as Chief of IMPD, Chuck Brewer said Yes without hesitation. Hogsett was reluctant before the voters spoke to make a commitment on whether Hite would remain Chief, though Hogsett went out of his way to praise Hite’s efforts; especially in bringing community together. The Chief Hite question was one of fifteen questions the 58-year old Hogsett and 43-year old Brewer answered from debate moderator, Hall of Fame broadcaster Amos Brown. Hogsett and Brewer talked about the city’s recent crime spurt, the deterioration of Indianapolis neighborhoods, illegal guns, the flight of minority-owned businesses, the mis-classification of persons with Middle Eastern heritage as Asian-owned businesses. Told that the City’s spending with minority-owned businesses had dropped to an abysmal 6% from the City’s goal of 15%, both candidates pledge to do much better and to breakdown the percentage of city spending with minority businesses by race and ethnicity. The two men also offered different views on improving education and neighborhood deterioration in neighborhoods served by Indianapolis Public Schools. Hogsett and Brewer also criticized IPS for their poor communication with the community on proposed IPS changes. The two men discussed the high unemployment in the Black community Both candidates were asked by the high percentage of Indianapolis renters who spend more than half their income on rent and utilities. Both candidates were asked could their say no to their campaign donors if they proposed something that didn’t benefit Indy’s neighborhoods. The candidates, who have been criticized for agreeing which each other on many issues, were asked where they disagree. The entire Mayor Debate Can be heard below in a Special PODCAST. The Afternoons with Amos Indianapolis Mayor Debate PODCAST. Aired Friday, October 30, 2015. Runs 55 Minutes. ©2015 WTLC/Radio One. PODCAST Starts After Brief Video Ad.
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