Democratic candidate Supervisor Leroy Brooks and businessman Bill Strauss both showed up for the televised public debate and were willing to put their qualifications and public records before the voters and cameras. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the two A.W.O.L. candidates, Councilman Stephen Jones and Minister Darren Leach.

Jones hosted a hastily arranged and inconsequential forum for youth that he streamed on Facebook, with half of the 15 youths in attendance not even old enough to vote—and I kid you not! Then you had the ever-elusive and reluctant Mr. Darren Leach, the current mayor’s handpicked choice for mayor, claiming he had a scheduled meeting with the Memphis Town CAG, where he serves as their executive director. (They have been meeting for over 20 years with nothing new to show for it.)

Despite the bold promises made to the Memphis Town residents by the mayor and Mr. Leach, not one house has been torn down, upgraded, or remediated from the Kerr McGee contamination during Keith Gaskin’s entire term in office. All talk and no walk.

Nonetheless, both conveniently and cowardly skipped the public debate because neither was ready for the questions, the cameras, nor the voters. How disrespectful is it to say you are going to speak for the people but refuse to speak to them?

Please let this be a wake-up call about the type of men who want to be your next mayor. Please be aware of the misinformation and disinformation they are spreading in the public domain and on the internet.

Larry Watson

Columbus