“You Choose Compton” Candidate Forum Held at Greater Zion Church
by Joya Shelton
On May 16th, a Community Forum and Debate took place at the Greater Zion Church, one
of the oldest churches in Compton, CA. Candidates running for state and local offices had the opportunity to meet and engage in discussions before a packed audience of concerned citizens.
It was an open forum for the Citizens to address the many concerns in about their city. The forum featured candidates for Lieutenant Governor, County Sheriff, and various Mayoral and City Council positions, generating significant interest and excitement in the community.
The event was skillfully hosted by the talented Tammi Mac of Radio KJLH, alongside the Honorable Bishop Michael J. Fisher. It was organized by the Divine Media Group, led by its executive producer and founder, DeMira Pierre.
It’s Election time all over America and the Citizens of Compton, California are feeling high anxiety about which Candidate to vote for in their city that will change the negative images and onnotations that others see from the outside looking in.
It was well attended by the Citizens. Yet, not by all of the Candidates listed to run for a political seat. Each Candidate had their permitted minutes to express their agenda, make their promises and then there was rebuttal.
The Citizens were allowed three minutes to express their concerns about the political administrative turnovers, the revolving door of City managers since 2010 and presently not even having a seated City manager and addressing the relevant concerns regarding the last City manager, Mr. Willie Hopkins, who is on administrative leave with yet another case that may involve an investigation.
Citizens want to know what will happen to Compton if they continue to struggle with years of severe fiscal instability, a failing infrastructure having terrible roads with huge potholes all over the city. Citizens have complained for decades about pot holes and yet nothing is ever done. Their biggest concern however is safety. Not to mention, these serious concerns are compiled with the increasing prices of gas, food, higher, rents and diminishing small businesses which has caused feeling of despair.
“It was on and popping” as Citizens were coming up to microphone with full fledged questions directed at the Candidates. The responses by some of the Candidates seemed to deflect or not have solid answers.
Even Tammie Mac posed a very serious question to, a young white male, running to obtain the seat of Congress Woman Maxine Waters. The crowd was not to embracing about anyone running
against, “Aunty Maxine”. The room was silent. Tammie’s voice was strong and passionate and she asked her question, “What is your position on reparation for Black people”. __ eyes dilated
and he appeared troubled or nervous. Without an immediate answer he said, “That’s a great question… However, never providing a solid answer that many were hoping for.
At the conclusion of the Debate, citizens were left with uncertainty and about a choice for a good candidate. Citizens in attendance expressed concerns about the political vetting process of Compton and if the City of Compton were going to have more debates and if so, how would
they know.
