Camden candidates outline mayoral goals

September 29, 2009  |  Courier Post  |  Link to article

It is clear after Monday night's mayoral forum that Camden's next mayor wants to lead the city in a grass-roots revitalization. (photos here)

Mayoral candidates Angel Cordero, Roberto Feliz, Dana Redd and Mujiba Salaam Parker discussed leadership, neighborhood services, economic development and public safety as themes of the forum held by Camden Churches Organized for People.

The candidates shared unique ideas for a city turnaround with about 125 people at St. Anthony of Padua Church in the Cramer Hill section. And they all spoke in favor of the city regaining its local power and to governing the city as directed by its people.

Cordero, a school choice activist, believes state control of the city should end as scheduled in 2012, if not sooner.

As mayor, Cordero said he would implement community policing of neighborhoods with block captains and supporters that would share with the administration what's really going on and ensure things are right.

"We need to build resources for people to get jobs and we need to better our schools, because we can't run a city if the kids aren't educated," he said. "I will assure that there are jobs and that the children are safe and educated."

Feliz, a former city director of public works and code enforcer, said the state has had too much power over the Camden, even before its direct takeover of the city in 2003. He proposed ways for local government to play a larger role in bettering the city, including having buildings assessed to avoid vacancies and an amnesty program for the city's 4,000 to 9,800 abandoned homes.

"We should monitor contracts and supervise outsourced services," he added. "We should consider competitive contracts, so we don't have the same companies year in and year out, or have some residents do the work."

Redd, a state senator, said transitioning power back to the mayor's office can make services more efficient and safeguard businesses and residents. The 41-year-old said she wants to revitalize and expand neighborhood programs focused on the city's population under 20, which is 40 percent of city residents.

"These are viable options for a safe place," she said. "Camden needs to get back to the basics and the only way is with a mayor's control of the city and department heads."

Redd, a Democrat running against independent candidates, said she plans to use her Democratic colleagues in state and federal government as resources to improve the city.

"All those relationships are viable to the city," she said. "I'm for putting the people first."

Parker said she also plans to use her experience working at the state level to better Camden. She had a seven-year stint in the state Economic Development Authority, a job in which she worked in the city.

"We need to market this city. That's not being done," she said. "The city has prime real estate on the Northeast corridor that can bring businesses and jobs here. I'll work with businesses to employ Camden residents including those previously incarcerated."

As mayor, Parker said she would empower residents and make sure all decisions come from that. She was emphatic that her administration would hold city department heads accountable and would let them go in favor of city residents if they weren't getting the job done.

Some Camden residents in attendance Monday agreed with what the candidates had to say.

Joanne Graves, a lifelong city resident said her greatest hope is that the city regains its power.

Graves, a Cramer Hill resident, said when residents run the city, they tend to care more about what is happening. She said state oversight doesn't have that personal feel.

"Now, we have a mayor in name only with no power," she said. "With the state's (chief operating officer), that's two salaries we don't need."

The city pays its mayor $102,000 per year.