Lincoln students question mayoral candidates
By KEVIN ABOUREZK / Lincoln Journal Star
Barb Walkowiak wanted to know what Lincoln’s mayoral candidates thought about transportation.
Because, at least to the Lincoln East High School sophomore, the city has plenty of room for improvement, especially when it comes to its bus system.
“That’s something that affects me because I don’t drive,” she said Tuesday evening.
She wasn’t disappointed: At least two of Lincoln’s four mayoral candidates said busing needed to be improved Tuesday at the “’07 for the Youth: Mayoral Candidate Forum” at Lincoln Public Schools District Offices, 5901 O St.
Dozens of students attended the event, which was hosted by the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. Three of the four mayoral candidates vying for the job of mayor, a race to be decided in the May 1 city general election, attended Tuesday’s event.
Candidate Mike Deal did not participate.
The event included brief introductions by the candidates followed by questions from two student moderators and others in the audience.
The event began with an informal meet-and-greet to the tune of free pizza and soda, though only two candidates, Roger Yant and Chris Beutler, seemed to do much schmoozing with students. Ken Svoboda arrived later.
During opening statements, Beutler thanked the students and other organizers of the event.
“You’re having a positive effect on the interests of young people in this campaign,” he said.
He said the city needs strong leadership to address persistent problems, like inadequate infrastructure funding and the reputation of being unfriendly toward business.
Yant told the students he would work, if elected, to tear down the many roadblocks toward growth and business the city has created.
“I’m change. I’m different. I’m a businessman. I’m not a politician.”
He said Lincoln needs to seriously address how to spend its money wisely.
Svoboda stressed the importance of diversity of experience for city leaders and said he would bring the wealth of experience he’s gained during six years of being a city councilman and the many years he’s spent as a local businessman.
He said he also would lean on the experience he gained as a graduate of the city’s schools.
“I was a graduate of Lincoln Southeast,” he said. “Go Knights!”
Several students, obviously from his alma mater, applauded.
As for the issue of transportation, Svoboda and Beutler had this to say:
“We have a poor bus system to get people where they’re going,” Svoboda said.
That system needs improvement to better provide opportunities to residents, especially low-income residents, he said.
Said Beutler: “That whole transportation question needs a serious review.”