The IUS College Democrats and The Horizon sponsored a New Albany mayoral candidate debate on Friday, April 15. The three Democratic candidates — Jeff Gahan, Paul Etheridge and Irvin Stumler — were in attendance. There are no Republican candidates for New Albany mayor.
A panel consisting of Daniel Suddeath, reporter for News and Tribune, Chris Coyle, president-elect of IUS College Democrats, and Nicole Yates, member of Louisville mayor Greg Fischer’s administration, each asked the candidates questions.
More than 50 people from the community listened to each candidates’ views and handling of certain issues.
Some of the topics included creating jobs, cleaning up New Albany and cutting spending.
Paula Zurschmiede, resident of Floyds Knobs, said she felt the debate was interesting.
“I think it was neat hearing different opinions on different views,” Zurschmiede said.
On the issue of creating jobs, Gahan said, in order to create jobs, the city has to improve neighborhoods. Stumler said he agreed with Gahan that city attractiveness needs to be better to bring in new corporations.
However, Etheridge said his position is to maintain tax incentives given to New Albany businesses but said he would also like to have businesses coming in to sign contracts to hire
local employees.
Voters will elect a candidate in the primary elections on Tuesday, May 3.
Click here to watch the debate.
By AMANDA FRENCH
Features Editor
aafrench@imail.iu.edu