5th Ward debate

The 5th ward is vulnerable to fire and earthquakes, she said, and needs emergency plans.

Kelley speaks. He says it's hard as a father of four to make time in busy schedule, and thanks the residents present for doing so.

There are approximately 45 people present.

Kelley says he's accessible and listens to concerns and is responsive to problems.

He criticizes his opponents for not attending community meetings, and says some "don't even live in our ward," a swipe at Rick Avila, who rents a home in the ward.

He says a brand new community center is now being designed.

He touts support from Police and Fire unions.

He says he helped get all Measure Z tax dollars spent on police department.

"A hostile takeover bid by our mayor," a "personal ATM machine," is how Morris uses the ward, Kelley said, to further his "downtown agenda."

Kelley's criticism of the mayor is harsher than normal.

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Tillman says first agenda outside of ward is downtown.

Directly contradicting Kelley, Tillman answers the question of what outside the ward would be her highest priority by saying that redevelopment of downtown is tops.

She cites Pasadena downtown redevelopment as a model.

Kelley answers the same question by saying the development of the San Bernardino International Airport is his top priority, then adds that continuing to bolster the police department is also a top priority.

Question number two is on what percentage of funds go to prevention intervention and suppression.

Kelley says 60 percent for suppression.

"Police our city first," he says.

Tillman says she would fund suppression at a large rate of about 70 percent, and the remaining 30 percent to prevention and intervention.

She also says the suppression should be in a community oriented policing model.

Question number three:

What do you expect to focus on?

Tillman says she would focus on young people. She says city's are judged by how they treat the least among us. She says that is children. "They don't have a union" or other organizations to fight for them, Tillman said.

Here is Tillman speaking:

Kelley says youth sports programs are key to prevention. Local government should work on four things, public safety, maintain our streets, pick up the trash, and maintain our parks.

He says many parks have amenities, a clear rebuttal of TIllman, who has criticized Kelley for his "pocket park" strategy.

Question four: Why are you running for city council?

Kelley: "The answer is simple. It is to make this community a better place."

He says major challenges are crime, and that far too many good people are leaving.

He talks about signals in the ward to protect children in traffic.

He mentions that he will "continue to be your voice," in the fifth ward.

Tillman says she is ready to represent the citizens of the fifth ward and san bernardino. She says she is interested in our children and their development.

She says she would work collaboratively within city government. She says city desperately needs revitalization of downtown.

Closing statements:

Tillman: I promise that I will make a concious commitment to meeting the needs of the citizens, she says.
She says the citizens deserve a councilperson with "maturity."
She says she will meet with residents regularly. She says she is excited about San Bernardino's future.

She says she is the leader who can take us there.

Kelley says maturity means listening to the residents that you represent. It is not, he says, collaborating behind closed doors with the mayor.

Our success is being diverted by a mayor and his handpicked candidate. THey want to take away resources from fifth ward, he says. He says the want to take away police and use them for Operation Phoenix.

"The mayor and his minions want to take our money and run," he says. He says his opponent is a "carpetbagger," although it's not clear if he refers to Tillman or Avila with this statement.