The Trenton Times published the following article on June 12, 2013. To read the full article, click here.

Three Trenton mayoral hopefuls answer residents’ questions in first candidates forum

By Jenna Pizzi/The Times of Trenton 
on June 12, 2013 at 9:57 PM, updated June 12, 2013 at 10:14 PM

TRENTON — Three candidates for the city’s mayoral job in 2014 told listeners yesterday they would tighten up spending, make government more transparent and improve public safety, during what was the first candidates forum held so far.

Two candidates appeared at the question and answer session in person: former Trenton police director Jim Golden and businessman Paul Perez. Entrepreneur Patrick Hall appeared via video to answer questions because he was out of town.

Organizers said other announced candidates, including former public works director Eric Jackson, Mayor Tony Mack and Mercer County Deputy Clerk Walker Worthy were invited but could not attend.

Golden, Perez and Hall answered questions that were solicited on the Trenton elections Facebook page and supplied by residents.

Golden said that if he were elected mayor he would put into place a new crime reduction plan within 60 days.

“We have to have an effective strategy that deploys officers where and when they are needed,” Golden said.

Before he came to Trenton as police director in 2000, Golden also worked as a chief of police in Michigan and as an executive officer in the Philadelphia Police Department for 26 years.

Perez said he would take a page from violence reduction plans that have been successful in other cities and sit down with police officials in Trenton to work with them instead of against them.

Hall said, rather than focusing on the police department, education is the key to decreasing the city’s crime rate. He also said he would reduce crime by improving street lighting and video surveillance.

The candidates all said the way City Hall is running now is inefficient.

“City Hall is dysfunctional,” Perez said. He said he would root out fraud, waste, and abuse in city government by creating an “office of integrity and accountability.”

In order to encourage transparency in the governmental process he would invite citizens in to weigh in on the budget process and he would be more strict about cutting spending, he said.

“Every department starts with zero,” Hall said. “Just because you had $14 million last year, doesn’t mean you get that this year.”

Golden said to increase the visibility of the government he would require every department director in the city to attend all city council meetings.

“They will be available and accessible to city council and the citizens,” Golden said.

All of the candidates said they look forward to future forums and debates as the election approaches.

Contact Jenna Pizzi at jpizzi@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5717.