Mar. 2, 2024 7:30p
(WGTD)---Insightful responses and subtle differences highlighted the first forum between the two candidates that survived the Feb. 20th nine-way primary for Kenosha mayor.
Dave Bogdala and Lydia Spottswood will face off April 2nd, with the winner to replace the retiring incumbent, John Antaramian.
Both Spottswood and Bogdala drew on their years of experience in and out of government in answering questions at a forum organized by CUSH—Congregations United to Serve Humanity.
The first topic that came up dealt with the 2020 uprising in Kenosha stemming from the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
The candidates were asked to comment on what role they’d play if elected mayor in calming tensions in a crisis situation.
“As mayor I think people want to see their mayor out there,” said Bogdala. "They want to see their mayor talking to people, making sure they know what’s going on. I thought was one of the biggest failures of that time in 2020 was a failure to communicate.”
Spottswood, who avoided any criticism of the current mayor, said one of the most troubling aspects for her was seeing heavily-armed militias in Kenosha’s streets. “There were local people who were very distraught and they were out actively demonstrating and suddenly we had an influx of people with militias from out of town and that’s when things began to truly spiral out of hand,” she said. “For me one of the things that I felt went wrong was that these militias were allowed to come in and begin to parade around downtown Kenosha, carrying heavy arms and it created an environment of terror.”
Both Spottswood and Bogdala said they support the actions that have been taken by the city in the wake of the 2020 destruction.
On the issues of social justice and discrimination, the two candidates have some bones to pick with county government.
Spottswood said she was appalled by the collapse of the Kenosha County Racial and Ethnic Equity Commission. “I attended many of those meetings. It was heartbreaking to see the efforts that they took to avoid doing the thing they were charged to do,” Spottswood said. “I just couldn’t believe my eyes when I was watching some of these meetings.”
Bogdala said he was dismayed by the county executive’s decision last spring not to fly the Rainbow Pride Flag in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse in June. “I think that’s wrong. As your mayor, that flag will remain (in front of the Municipal Building) during Pride Month. It highlights how important that issue is."
The candidates differed on the creation of a city Human Rights Commission. Spottswood said that’s one of the first things she would do if elected while Bogdala said the make-up of various city commissions and boards should first be altered to more accurately reflect the make-up of the community.
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