Lincoln University held a public forum Tuesday night in Jefferson City to allow community members to learn more about the people running for mayor.
The forum was conducted as a question and answer panel.
Jefferson City has six mayoral hopefuls for the April 7 election, including Richard Groner, Ron Viessman, Edith Vogel, Carrie Tergin, Leonard Steinman and Bob Scrivner.
ABC 17 Anchor Daniel Winn was the emcee at Tuesday night’s event.
He says the forums are important in establishing an early relationship between the future mayor and the community.
“It gives the public a chance to let the candidates know what exactly matters to them and what affects their lives because otherwise the candidates sometimes think one thing is effective in the city but maybe it is not really affecting anybody,” Winn said.
Antonio Levi, a student at Lincoln University, says he went to the public forum so he could learn about each candidate and determine who he felt the best fit would be for Jefferson City.
“We don't just want to go to the polls and vote for anybody. We want to know and make sure we got the right person,” Levi said.
Levi says he hopes whoever is elected as the next mayor will always keep in mind what is in the best interest of Jefferson City.
“I hope everyone just wants what is best for Jeff City and fights for Jeff City because Jeff City is a prominent city and an upcoming city,” Levi said.
Major topics discussed at the meeting included the f the city budget, public transportation and the development of more jobs in Jefferson City.
There is another forum planned for Monday, March 23.
