Omaha mayoral candidates debated for an hour at the Omaha Press Club on Thursday afternoon. Mayor Stothert promoted her record of economic development during her 12 years in office. John Ewing, the Douglas County treasurer since 2007, emphasized his previous work as an Omaha deputy police chief.
- Economic development: The mayor praised the city’s growth, while Ewing said the city isn’t growing fast enough.
- The police force currently needs to recruit about 115 new officers. Both candidates discussed plans for recruitment and retention of new officers.
- The need for affordable housing was a major discussion point.
- Ewing said he’d support cameras being used for traffic enforcement in light of problems with street racing in the metro area. Stothert said she thought increased penalties were a better option.
WATCH KATRINA’S STORY BELOW
Mayoral candidates differ on public safety, agree more housing is needed
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Policing, the streetcar, and a brief mention of that 16th Street sinkhole: all hot button topics mentioned at Thursday’s Omaha mayoral debate.
I’m your neighborhood reporter, Katrina Markel, downtown…