5 takeaways from latest Allentown mayoral debate
Allentown mayoral candidates squared off in a debate as part of a special segment of Business Matters, a weekly WFMZ program hosted by Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Tony Iannelli.
Democratic pick Matt Tuerk and Republican nominee Tim Ramos faced questions from Iannelli on vaccine mandates, defunding the police and affordable housing in Allentown. Here are five key takeaways from the debate:
Both say they fall into ‘middle ground’
Both candidates described themselves as falling into the middle of the ideological spectrum of their respective parties. When asked if he’d ever considered switching parties to appeal to Democrat-dominated Allentown, Ramos said he had not.
“I believe in respecting people’s rights and individuality,” Ramos said. “I’m not not a very ideological person where I’m like, ‘this is the only way that works and that’s it.’ ”
Tuerk said that he is “completely committed to “Democratic values,” describing himself as having “progressive ideas” while holding moderate stances. His key priority as mayor, he said, is a commitment to “sensible financial leadership” and supporting the city’s institutions while uplifting Allentown’s working class.
Different approaches on affordable housing
While Ramos highlighted increased accountability for landlords who fail to keep their properties in good condition, Tuerk said he doesn’t like the idea of “tougher on landlords.” Tuerk said that collaboration with landlords, rather than punishment and shame is important, because those approaches have not worked in the past. The candidates agree that a bolstered inspection program is needed to improve the poor conditions of some of Allentown’s rental housing stock.
Both see their Latino heritage as an asset
Both candidates tried to highlight their Latino heritage as an asset, but Ramos accused Tuerk of attempting to pander to Allentown’s Latino population.
Tuerk said his ability to speak Spanish fluently, in particular, will help him build bridges between city officials and Latino communities. He has proposed founding a Latino Affairs Council to inform city departments about Latino affairs and hiring Spanish speakers to work in the city’s administration.
Ramos said his background as a Puerto Rican immigrant means he is in touch with Allentown’s Spanish-speaking population. When Tuerk said he would like to respond to a question in Spanish, Ramos accused him of pandering to Latino voters.
“I understand our community, I don’t need to pander because I am part of the culture,” Ramos said.
In response, Tuerk highlighted his plans to engage the Latino community as mayor.
Similar views on policing
Both candidates voiced support for Allentown police officers and spurned calls to defund the police. Ramos called himself a believer in “community policing” and said as mayor, he would work to rebuild bonds between the police and the community. He said he would like to see youth programs passed through city council to engage Allentown’s young people and deter them from crime.
Tuerk said police should play a key role in achieving safer streets and the city should invest in police training, especially de-escalation and bystander intervention training. He praised Allentown police Chief Charles Roca, who took the helm last month.
Tuerk is ‘open’ to vaccine mandates
If elected, Tuerk said he would consider supporting COVID-19 vaccine mandates for city workers. He suggested mandating vaccines for the city’s non-union employees and “opening the conversation” with Allentown’s unionized employees.
“We’ve seen mandates successfully work,” Tuerk said. “We have to make sure we’re doing everything we can as employees of the city of Allentown to respect and support public health.”
Ramos said that mandating vaccines would be “going down the wrong direction” and sees a mandate as violating employees’ personal freedoms.
Ramos said though he remains unvaccinated against COVID-19, he is “not anti-vax.” Tuerk said he was vaccinated last spring.
The debate will air at 7 p.m. Monday on WFMZ-TV.