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Mayoral candidates meet at the Roanoke Forum

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Roanoke, Virginia – This year, there are three candidates running for mayor of Roanoke.

At the Roanoke City Market Building on Tuesday night, Republican David Bowers, Democrat Joe Cobb, and Independent Stephanie Moon Reynolds convened for a candidates’ forum.

Each of the three has a wealth of experience in local government: Moon Reynolds was the city clerk for many years before to being elected to the council, Cobb served as vice mayor and member of the council, and Bowers was the former mayor.

During the opening remarks, Bowers stated, “I want to prove to you again that I have the energy, the enthusiasm, and the experience to make a change in Roanoke.”

“How much you know is irrelevant to our citizens; what matters to them is how much you care.” That test has always been met by me,” Moon Reynolds continued.

“I put a lot of effort into my work every day. Cobb said to the crowd, “I show up around the city because I love the city and because I want to celebrate the people that are here.”

The forum was arranged by the Roanoke Kiwanis Club in collaboration with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, and all three of them are also members of this organization.

However, they disagreed Tuesday night on a number of crucial topics, including as how the city should handle violent crime.

Bowers stated, “I thought, and I told the city council, that we should have gun violence apprehension as well as gun violence prevention.”

“Reducing all forms of violent crime remains a top priority, even as we celebrate the decrease in gun violence incidents,” Moon Reynolds stated.

Out of the three individuals present, I am the one who has been actively working with the community to combat gun violence in our area over the past five years, according to Cobb.

They also talked about the contentious zoning amendments that will permit more multi-family buildings in various city neighborhoods.

Cobb declared, “I support and have supported these zoning amendments twice.” “I believe that they are the best way to increase the number of housing options in our city.”

Bowers declared, “I will vote to repeal the rezoning if I am elected.” “This is the main concern for residents in Roanoke, based on my observations throughout the city.”

Moon Reynolds stated, “I do want to make it clear that I was the one and only member of the city council to vote no twice, and the reason being because of the process.”

Certain points of agreement were present. For instance, all three were in favor of the Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport’s runway being extended.

However, all are claiming new ground. Bowers is positioning himself as a change agent, Moon Reynolds is guaranteeing a detailed analysis of the city’s finances, and Cobb is promising to carry out the significant work that he claims is improving the lives of many Roanokers.

 

 

 

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