Wheeler calls for 12 debates with Hales

Kari Chisholm

Somehow, I overlooked this last week. It seems that State Treasurer Ted Wheeler has called on Mayor Charlie Hales to join him in twelve debates.

Twelve? That seems like a lot -- and it would be, if they were all the generic all-over-the-map format of typical debates. Instead, Wheeler is calling for them to be in-depth on twelve specific issues:

• Jobs and the economy
• Homelessness
• Affordable housing
• Roads and infrastructure
• Education
• Government ethics and transparency
• Growth and development
• Sustainability
• Police and criminal justice policy
• Budget and taxes
• Transportation and transit
• Eastside services

And actually, looking back to 2012, twelve debates would actually be blessedly few. I don't remember the number, but I'm pretty sure that Hales, Jefferson Smith, and Eileen Brady did some 40 or 50 debates and forums. (And yeah, that was ridiculous.)

What do you think? Are there any issues that you think are missing?

By Kari Chisholm Oct. 05, 2015