With less than two weeks until Election Day, the Omaha mayoral candidates are working to win the vote in North Omaha.
Mayor Jean Stothert and challenger, former Senator Heath Mello met at the Salem Baptist Church in North Omaha Thursday night for a mayoral forum hosted by the Empowerment Network and several partnering organizations.
With hopes to increase voter participating in North Omaha, organizers say Thursday’s forum was a chance for voters to question the candidates and get more involved in the voting process.
The forum addressed specific needs of North Omaha, such as business development, housing, reducing gun violence and historic property preservation.
When discussing crime in the area, Mayor Jean Stothert praised her administration for working the Omaha Police Department in bringing homicides rates down, in what she says is at an eight-year low, while Mello said as Mayor, he would ensure every single police office would wear a body camera.
The discussion later moved on the proposed streetcar and public transportation, where Stothert and Mello clashed, with Mello saying the streetcar should be put on the backburner until roads are fixed and resurfaced.
Organizers say they hope the forum will drive voters to the polls and cast their vote so issues discussed at the forum can be addressed after the election.
