My opponent ran away from debates. I’ll keep showing up for you.
By our campaign’s count, my challenger, Corey McNair, missed three debates before November 3. This week, I invited him to four more public debates. I proposed one livestreamed event in each of Trenton’s four wards. At each debate, each candidate would have 20 minutes for an opening presentation, followed by a Q&A with residents. He declined all four and called his decision “final.” Residents across Trenton have told me they’re disappointed. I’m appalled by his decision. Before the December 8 runoff, both candidates should debate and answer questions directly from residents. If you won’t answer to Trenton residents while you’re asking for their vote, why should they expect you to answer to them once you’re in City Hall?
Corey did well in the first round. Voters still deserve to hear what he would do as mayor. Thousands voted for me, and thousands more are weighing their choice. I’m working to earn their vote. As mayor, I take seriously my responsibility to hear from voters in public and answer on the record. If you have a plan, explain it. If you have a policy, tell people how it would work. If you have a record, stand behind it. Trenton is tired of people playing politics. Voters want someone who can make real progress.
During our administration, Trenton has secured more than $250 million in state aid and more than $50 million in state and federal grants. We’ve replaced more than 11,000 lead service lines and helped build and fund the Trenton Community Street Teams. Public data show the violent crime rate was about 20 percent lower over the past eight years than in the previous eight, and the citywide value of taxable property rose about 72 percent during our administration. We’ve torn down more than 300 blighted properties, and more than 1,000 once-vacant homes are occupied again. You can see investment across Trenton in Clinton Lofts, Jennings Village, Patriot Village II, Van Sciver, Bell Lofts, and Kingsbury Towers. On South Broad Street, a $7 million state grant is funding the restoration of the Roebling Machine Shop and Eagle Tavern. We reopened the Reading Senior Center and Hetzel Pool and opened ten new or rebuilt playgrounds as part of a plan to repair or replace 26. I’m proud of that record, and I want to hear where you think we can do better.
Do you want a mayor who shows up for you? Who listens to what you have to say and answers your questions on the record? When the questions get tough, do you want someone who walks away or someone who stays and does the work? At Donnelly Homes, resident meetings helped us secure funding for a major neighborhood revitalization. Families told us what needed to change, and we worked with them and the Trenton Housing Authority to turn their ideas into a plan that earned a $15.6 million federal grant. The state also approved up to $54.3 million in Aspire tax credits for THA Senior, which will bring 107 affordable senior apartments to the North Ward. A major community revitalization in the North Ward starts with a single meeting.
I want to hear from residents in all four wards. If you or your organization would like to help organize a public conversation in your neighborhood, reach out to my campaign. We’ll work with you on the logistics and with local media to livestream the event. Corey is welcome to join me. I’ll be there to share our record and answer your questions about our plans for the next four years.
Serving as your mayor is an honor. Wherever I go in Trenton, I get to hear from people who care about this city and have ideas for making it better. I work for every one of you, including those who disagree with me. I’ll be at City Hall during the day and knocking on your door in the evening. I don’t take a single vote for granted. Corey made his decision not to show up. I’ll always show up for you. I hope you’ll show up for me on December 8 and vote for me in ballot position 2 so we can keep moving Trenton forward together.
