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Mayoral candidates discuss UA issues

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Mayoral candidates Republican Bob Walkup (from left), Democrat Molly McKasson, and Libertarian Ed Khan discussed University of Arizona issues yesterday in the Memorial Studnet Union Rincon Room. The general election will take place Nov. 2.

With election day less than two weeks away, the three Tucson mayoral candidates yesterday said crime, child care and corporate involvement at the university are important issues for the city, but disagreed about ways to deal with them.

Libertarian Ed Kahn, Democrat Molly McKasson and Republican Bob Walkup drew a mid day crowd of about 100 students and community members to the University of Arizona's Memorial Student Union Rincon Room.

The candidates agreed that the UA is important to Tucson, but each had different views on the other issues.

Kahn related the UA's crime problem to a lack of decent campus maps, directions and poor lighting.

"If crime is rising, it's the Democrats' fault," he said. "If you want a change - vote Libertarian."

Walkup said solving the UA crime problem is a "city-wide issue."

He added that Tucson needs about 100 more police officers. As mayor, he would increase officers' benefits and pay.

McKasson said the city and the UA need to work together to solve the crime problem, which would mean "foregoing spring training or a new city hall."

When asked about the trend of corporate involvement with the university, Walkup said it is appropriate so that students can understand the relevance of their education.

"Frankly, as mayor, I would encourage corporate America to become part of the process," said Walkup, adding that the businesses should not exploit students.

But McKasson said she disapproves of corporate involvement at the UA because it doesn't allow for impartial research.

"It's inappropriate - higher education should be free from that," McKasson said, adding that corporations should provide scholarships and mentoring.

"We need to make this a town that stresses higher education," she said.

Kahn said if students want UA officials to be held accountable for their actions, the university should be broken into small colleges so the personnel can be responsible.

Child care for UA students, faculty and staff was also addressed at the debate.

When Kahn was asked about how he would change the child care system, he said he would allow single parents a tax break for the cost of child care and night school programs that would help their situation.

Walkup said the community has child care programs established to aid parents, but it still needs more.

McKasson said Tucson has one of the fastest-growing disparities between the rich and the poor, and that women are becoming a large section of the poor.

She said child care providers are underpaid and need to have specialized child development training.

Family studies freshman Vicki Fletcher asked the candidates how they would bring quality jobs to Tucson - employment that pays more than the minimum wage jobs that are provided by UA sports.

Walkup said if he were elected mayor, he would bring five top corporations to Tucson within the next 10 years to provide quality jobs.

McKasson said Tucson's quality of life needs to be improved to bring jobs and she would help by making the community beautiful, clean and healthy.

Kahn said he would get Tucsonans quality jobs by providing companies tax breaks.

Management Information Systems junior Jean Yates said she got a better understanding of the candidates after the debate.

"They helped me decide who I support," Yates said.

The League of Women Voters, the Associate Students and the Office of Community Relations sponsored the event.