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The first question of the evening asked the candidates to explain their top three issues for the city of St. Paul. Kelly’s first priority was safety. He would increase support for the police force and fire departments, and also add 100 police officers to deal primarily with the city’s growing problem with methamphetamines.
His second priority was making the city affordable, keeping a reign on city taxing as well as spending, in order to encourage businesses to set down roots in St. Paul. The final priority in Kelly’s top three was education. Mayor Kelly praised the “great superintendent” of St. Paul public education, and noted that test scores are going up.

Coleman listed education, housing and economics, and public safety as his priorities, in that order. Coleman proposed a “second shift program” for local recreation centers and other public buildings, to offer a place where kids can go after school to have adult supervision, get help with homework, and stay off the streets and out of trouble. He also mentioned a “slip in affordable housing” as a problem that needs to be addressed in the coming years.

The second question inquired about the candidates’ views on public transportation. Coleman focused on expanding mass transit options, saying “light rail is an important piece, but it’s not everything.” Mayor Kelly responded with a different slant, mentioning the prospect of a second line of light rail down University Avenue, and expansion of roadways such as Ayd Mill Road, which connect major areas of the city.
Another question asked what do the candidates plan to do to make the streets safer for people of all races, religions, ethnic groups, abilities, and sexual orientations?

Mayor Kelly began by reiterating the importance of an expanded and better-supported police department. Involving the department of public works and thinking of new ways to calm traffic and increase pedestrian safety were also key points of his response.

Coleman’s response was similar. He mentioned the recent visit from Australian ‘traffic wizard’ David
Engwicht and his ideas for creating spaces that are not merely car-oriented. Other solutions Coleman offered included changing the scale of development and creating an environment where people need to make fewer trips in the first place.

The candidates were then asked to elaborate on the topic of diversity in St. Paul, and their intended ways of reducing hate crime. Coleman stated his belief that the great strength of St. Paul lies in its diversity. Coleman said the first thing we need to do is start talking with each other and to be more inclusive in
hiring.

Kelly responded by emphasizing the importance of leading by example. He stated that one-third of his cabinet is filled by minority members. He said that symbolic gestures are also important, and noted that under his administration, the road on which the capital is located was renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. Coleman rebutted by saying that “symbolism is important, but inclusion is more important.” He said we first need to do the substantive things and “make sure everyone has a place at the table.”

The next question was about how any extra money that comes to the city will be spent. Coleman said any extra money would go to the police and fire departments. He said, “we need to make sure both are strong or you’re not serving the community.” Mayor Kelly responded by saying he would not spend any more money than in the last four years beyond the level of inflation.

The smoking ban is another area where the candidates differ. Coleman stated that he supports a city-wide smoking ban. He referred to the concept of a smoking ban as “a boat that has already left the harbor.” He pointed out that Mayor Kelly opposed the city-wide ban until more neighboring cities agreed, and then continued to decline a ban. Mayor Kelly responded by stating that “it doesn’t make a lot of sense piece-meal,” and mentioning that he supports a state-wide ban. It’s not fair to create an island and harm our businesses,” he said. Coleman argued that the current Ramsey County ban which allows smoking in primarily alcohol-vending establishments is what hurts business, and that it takes leadership to move a state-wide ban.

The candidates were questioned about ways they would work toward reducing juvenile crime in St. Paul. Mayor Kelly responded by saying that this is one of the reasons he would hire additional police, who could work more proactively to fight this and other problems. He cited the streamlining of administrative costs in the summer jobs program as one way to get more kids hired and out of trouble.

In a similar statement, Coleman stated that there is a transition beginning from the time kids are born
which can lead to a path of juvenile crime. Family education, affordable housing, and good schooling, with the proposed second shift program, are all ways Coleman believes he can keep kids off that path in the first place.

The housing situation for students, who are often forced into run-down, dangerous buildings, and the rising homelessness problem were other areas of interest for the audience. Coleman responded that he is willing to work toward a goal for 20 percent of housing to be affordable to people on 30-40 percent of the mean income. Coleman said that affordable housing was his number one priority on the city council.

Kelly responded by saying that under his administration, 5,000 new housing units were built in St. Paul, 1,000 of which were affordable to low-income families. He said that more inspections need to be made to ensure the health and safety of residents. In addition, he argued that shelters for homeless people are important, providing not just a roof but also mental health and other services. He also said that keeping property taxes low will help keep housing affordable.

Coleman rebutted this point by saying that although it is true that low taxes keep housing affordable, the governor of Minnesota has pushed costs onto the local level where the only option to raise money is through property taxes. Mayor Kelly responded to this by saying that leaders get nowhere when they “whine and wring their hands. Mayors can’t sit around and blame someone else.”

Finally, when discussing how he would work with county and state government, Mayor Kelly responded that “he would work with people who had the city’s best interests at heart,” emphasizing his stance of working across party lines when necessary. Coleman responded, saying that he is supported by local legislators and county officials. Appearing somewhat frustrated, Coleman also referred to Mayor Kelly’s crossing of party lines as good, but said “you could work with them once in a while too.”

As the debate wore on, candidates seemed to become more aggressive toward one another, as the audience also became more vocal. Mayor Kelly closed by thanking the audience, discussing the dismal place that St. Paul was 12 years ago, stating that it is a wonderful city today.

Coleman continued with his themes of “opening a new chapter” and “making sure everyone has a place at the table” that he had built on throughout the evening, encouraging cooperation between advocacy and minority groups.

After the debate, neither candidate expressed much surprise at the questions that were asked by the students. Coleman said, “they’re really [the same] questions everyone was asking.” Both candidates said they felt that the debate went well, with the exception of Mayor Kelly’s comment, “I was disappointed that my opponent would not answer the question about how much money he would spend.” Earlier in the debate, Mayor Kelly had accused Coleman of not answering this question in any of the last 14 debates, whereas Coleman said he has answered it in every debate and Mayor Kelly refused to listen. Both were pleased by the turnout, and expect that students will make a significant contribution at the polls.

Evens, who coordinated the event, and Sarah Ditty, MPIRG member, both agreed that the turnout was good, and the debate was deemed a success. Ditty said, “Both had some very good points.” She went on to say, however, “I think the clapping and shouting was completely inappropriate.”

Junior Sarah Atwood commented “I think it’s lame that they got to censor the questions.”

Sandra Lutz, a member of the League of Women Voters, a non-partisan organization, mediated the event.