S.L. mayoral candidates debate city issues, political track records

S.L. mayoral candidates debate city issues, political track records

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SALT LAKE CITY — Crime, homelessness and transportation issues underscored a debate between Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and mayoral challenger Jackie Biskupski on Thursday, but both took advantage of the KUED Ch. 7 air time to exchange political jabs.

In his closing remarks, Becker dusted off a criticism he fired at Biskupski back in July for allowing an advertising company to fund several billboards promoting her campaign, accusing her of participating in "money-driven politics."

But Biskupski refuted the mayor's accusations and bashed Becker for not doing enough to solve parking meter issues and target the root of the city's drug-trafficking problem.

About 20 University of Utah students gathered at the KUED studio Thursday to watch the taping of the debate. It was scheduled to air at 7 p.m.

"We are different folks," Becker said. "That may be exemplified in our service in the Legislature. I took on billboard companies and earned their enmity. My opponent voted for every piece of billboard legislation to protect billboard businesses' interests and to undermine local control. … That sort of special interest, money-driven politics needs to stay out of local government."

Biskupski disputed that claim, saying she "voted with Mayor Becker on several bills."

"But I did sit at the table, which the mayor was unwilling to do, to make sure compromises were reached that maintained local control of the decisions that were made around the billboard industry," she said. "I think that's an important difference. You have to be willing to be at the table and lead in the decision-making or you get left out. I think that shows a lack of leadership."

According to legislative vote records, Biskupski voted in favor of some but not all bills advancing the interests of billboard companies.

During the rest of the debate, Becker's responses carried a consistent theme: a promise to build upon the momentum he has already set in motion for Salt Lake City. Biskupski focused her answers on bringing a more collaborative decision-making process to City Hall, and doing more to address persistent issues such as homelessness and crime.

On crime, Becker said a new program launched by the interim Police Chief Mike Brown is already reducing police response times and increasing police presence in neighborhoods by reinstating bike patrols.


Going forward, we have a solid game plan. With the City Council, we just added eight additional officers, and thanks to a federal grant that just came in, we'll be adding an additional 12 officers. … We're already seeing a difference, and that will continue over the next four years.

–Mayor Ralph Becker


"Going forward, we have a solid game plan," the mayor said. "With the City Council, we just added eight additional officers, and thanks to a federal grant that just came in, we'll be adding an additional 12 officers. … We're already seeing a difference, and that will continue over the next four years."

Biskupski said drug crackdowns at Pioneer Park have shifted crime into other areas of the city. She said the city should partner with other law enforcement agencies for a more collaborative effort to target the source of the drug problem.

"Once we do that, we won't continue to pull cops out of our neighborhoods to do crackdown after crackdown," Biskupski said. "We know it's not working. We've got to be much more strategic in how we're implementing our attack on the drug trade in our city."

In response to whether he would support a new proposal to enact a $30 million bondto help the city's homeless, Becker said he will follow whatever recommendations his commission on homeless services and facilities provides.

The commission is paired with an effort from Salt Lake County that is analyzing current efficiency of services and facilities. Those recommendations are expected by the end of the year.

Biskupski said homelessness is a statewide issue, not just a city problem, and shouldn't "rest on the shoulders" of Salt Lake residents. She also said relocating the shelters would be too expensive and take away money that would be better spent on transitional housing.

The candidates were more in agreement on their priorities for transportation, with both saying more investment is needed for bike lanes and buses. They both said they favor Proposition 1, a countywide ballot initiative to increase sales taxes by one penny for every $4 spent to help fund transit and local road projects.

But Biskupski criticized the mayor for installing "confusing" parking, which she said has caused seniors to avoid visiting downtown. Becker, however, said the kiosks have improved after a recent upgrade and polls show a 90 percent approval rating of the meters.

"It's an easy system today, and it certainly will be going forward," the mayor said.

Becker and Biskupski will face off again from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday in a debate hosted by KSL-TV and KSL Newsradio.

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Katie McKellar

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