Dillard University will host the second in a series of three mayoral debates on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. in Lawless Memorial Chapel on campus. The three mayoral debates are designed to give the candidates and various New Orleans communities a framework to initiate discussions on a wide variety of issues — crime, education, race relations, neighborhood and economic development — that are important to the quality-of-life in New Orleans. The January 12th debate, sponsored by the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice in conjunction with the African American Women of Power and Purpose and the New Orleans Urban League, addressed the particular concerns of the city's African-American community.
"Dillard University is an anchoring institution in the Gentilly Community and, as such, should offer all of our neighbors an opportunity to speak with the candidates on those issues that are of vital importance to the survival of their respective neighborhoods," said Dillard President Marvalene Hughes, Ph.D. "We have opened the campus to community and neighborhood organizations to foster civic engagement and vigorous debate on issues vital to our constituencies."
This Saturday the candidates will again be asked to answer questions from the community. The 20 neighborhood organizations of the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association, one of the largest coalitions of neighborhood groups in the city of New Orleans, have partnered with Dillard University's Community Development Corporation, political science faculty and students, and Student Government Association to sponsor a debate on issues of particular interest to the Gentilly community. The debate will center largely around issues of blight, education, neighborhood revitalization, economic development and crime. The debate will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Lawless Memorial Chapel.
Preceding the debate, Q93's Wild Wayne will host a town hall meeting from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in the Social Room of the chapel. University students from around the city are invited to share their thoughts on the current political climate with radio listeners.
Vincent Sylvain is publisher of the New Orleans Agenda and co-editor of NOLA Beez.
Photo of January 12 mayoral debate by Cliff Robinson.
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