Candidates On Racial Justice: Fort Myers City Council
Showing Up for Racial Justice SWFL e-mailed all candidates for Fort Myers City Council a questionnaire on issues relating to racial justice. (To see candidate responses from other races on the ballot in Southwest Florida, click here.)
Responses were received from:
Johnny Streets (Ward 2 candidate)
Anthony Thomas (Ward 2 candidate)
Connie Bennett-Martin (Ward 4 candidate)
Diana Giraldo (Ward 6 candidate)
Jacques Thomas (Ward 6 candidate)
Jared Wray (Ward 6 candidate)
The following candidates did not respond:
Liston Bochette III (Ward 4 candidate)
Jerome Miller (Ward 4 candidate)
Chauncey Solinger (Ward 4 candidate)
Darla Bonk (Ward 6 candidate)
Marge Metzler (Ward 6 candidate)
The questionnaire was also e-mailed to the candidates for mayor. Responses received for the mayor's race will be shared soon.
Below are the responses from the candidates who responded to our questionnaire.
1. Do you support the Movement for Black Lives?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: I stand up and have attended rallies to support the movement. Unfortunately, this is something that I feel I will never truly understand since it is not targeted to me, however I cannot be a responsible citizen (or good human) without trying to stop the injustices that are happening to others.
STREETS: I am in support of the movement for Black Lives. I believe that by proclaiming black lives matter, it is not a denouncement of others, but the intention is to bring awareness of the systemic racism and discrimination that has been inflicted upon blacks in our society.
JACQUES THOMAS: Black Lives Matter is the new NAACP. It's not only calling for the protection of black lives but also it's a movement calling for overall change within our society. From our criminal justice systems, Housing/development, Pay and hiring fairness, Equal Access to healthcare/medicine. It is a call for a huge social makeover. This group's sole purpose is to change our country's way of governance, to a new way where there is equality and opportunity for all Americans. No matter creed, sexual orientation, age, or religious affiliation.
2. Are you committed to identifying and eliminating racial disparities within the jurisdiction or scope of the elected office for which you seek?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: I would like to review what the city already has in place and work to identify where it has been lacking in implementation. It is essential to bring all communities to a baseline of infrastructure so that all residents have the same opportunities. I would also like to utilize the citizen advisory committee to ensure that we are serving everyone equally.
GIRALDO: Yes. I am currently in the City of Fort Myers Mayor’s diversity and inclusion advisory committee. We have to ensure the City stays on the top of our recommendations beyond the current Mayor’s tenure.
STREETS: I have and will continue to be a proponent of exposing and working to eliminate disparities in our city.
3. Investments in social services and community programs consistently have shown to reduce poverty and crime. Do you support reducing the budgets of law enforcement agencies and reallocating funds to social services and community programs?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Decline to answer
Johnny Streets: No
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: No
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: I don’t believe finding funds for these programs necessarily need to come from law enforcement but our social service programs need to be funded. I spoke up at the city council meeting where they cut funds from 26 social service agencies to give to the STARS complex. This was a devastating cut for many of the agencies that serve our families. I will continue to fight for social services in our city and to bring even more services to the community. Our city has been reactive and not proactive to community issues, poverty, housing and human service issues for about 20 years. This is one of the largest issues we have to face and with the financial impact of coronavirus, these services will be even more essential. Our law enforcement funding needs to be reevaluated to better serve our community. Currently the police department makes up nearly 40% of the city budget and yet the officers are paid about 15% less than surrounding areas. The officers need to be paid more adequately however they need to be demilitarized, more training and the excessive overtime needs to stop. I think that is one of the 3 areas within the city that is grossly overfunded and need to have independent audits performed.
GIRALDO: I do not think there is a take one from the law enforcement to allocate to these community programs. I believe the city can come to an agreement to stop giving away incentives and waivers to developers and reallocate those funds to assist these community programs.
STREETS: I do not want to reduce funding, but I want to see funding reallocated to support true community policing. True community policing is when law enforcement work in partnership with social service agencies, mental health providers and other agencies dedicated to building safe communities and ensuring the wellness of its citizens. We must ensure that we are funding programs within our community that promotes prevention and not merely focus on punishment. I want to see more emphasis on reallocating funding on mental health and wellness to work alongside those in law enforcement and to increase programs for youth such as PAL. That’s why I supported to fund all of our non-profits in the City of Fort Myers that provide services to the community that law enforcement isn’t able to provide.
JACQUES THOMAS: I want to push for a tougher hiring process within the agency. Primarily, I want to limit the powers of police unions and bring about a community panel. Individuals who are randomly selected as if it were a jury duty. These 5-7 individuals are to view the recorded incident and it is up to them to decide what are the proper disciplinary actions that need to be taken against that officer. If we defund the police the primary thing the agencies will eliminate are the training programs. The training programs are important to assure that we have qualified officers to protect and serve our community. We are to have tougher background checks, more frequent psychological exams, and beef up on high liability training. Collaboration with community services are also huge benefit to addressing this issue.
4. Do you support efforts for increased accountability and public transparency for law enforcement officers who engage in improper policing, excessive and deadly use of force, and other instances of brutality against citizens?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: I am not fully aware of the processed already in place however from the city council meetings and the information obtained in the FREEH report, we have a long way to go. I think that complaints and records of police officers should be available so the if the public has an interaction with an officer, they can go online and see if this is something the officer has a previous history of complaints for. When there are issues, there is no reason that the data compiled cannot be put into a file with whatever redactions are necessary to protect individual safety. At the very least, this should be something accessible through a public information request.
GIRALDO: Progress has been made but a reform is needed. I also believe in reviewing policy and operations of law enforcement at the city level to ensure they are aligned with accountability and other measures that benefit the community they serve.
STREETS: I have always been a proponent, and in fact during my term I have challenged the FMPD on their inability to address the concerns of improper policing and their relationship with the black community.
JACQUES THOMAS: When elected I want our citizens to freely video tape arrests. I want individuals of our community to go on ride-alongs. I want a better handcuffing strategy. Before an officer stops an individual you are too ask and answer the question of the individual. They have the right to be informed of their detainment. If an individual decides to run we are to run after them there is absolutely no reason to shoot an individual. We must do everything in our power not to use deadly force. With these actions this will help mend the trust between law enforcement and the community.
5. In instances of officer-involved shootings resulting in the death or injury of a civilian, do you support an independent agency unaffiliated with local law enforcement to investigate these instances, with the authority to bring charges against an officer if use of excessive force is determined?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: Absolutely, I don’t feel you can have your own department properly and objectively evaluate a situation. And the agency reviewing should not be in the same building as law enforcement, they should be at city hall so they are not having undue influence on their decisions.
GIRALDO: Yes. I think oftentimes the issues get covered due to intimidation and other factors inside a department without a third party review. We don’t audit our own taxes for example.
6. Do you support an end to qualified immunity for law enforcement officers?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: This isn’t really something that I will have control over as a city council member. With proper training and responsibility, they shouldn’t need qualified immunity. I understand it has been greatly expanded over the past few years and probably should be eliminated.
GIRALDO: Accountability!
STREETS: When an officer takes an oath to protect and serve, they must be truthful and transparent under all circumstances.
JACQUES THOMAS: Our nation was founded upon this idea that no one is above the law. We all fall under the laws of the constitution. If one individual is above that constitution it is a breeding ground for tyranny and oppression. When a certain group is given qualified immunity there powers are left unchecked. Our government has a system of checks and balances and this is reflected from the federal level to the municipal level as well. This is what protected the liberties that we hold so dear. Law enforcement are not excluded from these laws. They are to protect the law and execute but also abide by it. This is what makes our country so democratic and free.
7. Do you support efforts to remove armed law enforcement officers from schools, as well as armed teachers and staff, and instead hire more counselors and mental health professionals to serve students?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: No
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: No
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: I strongly support civil citations for our youth for non-violent crimes in an effort to keep them from entering the system at an early age and having a more positive interaction with police. With the savings from not having full-time officers at the schools, we should be able to work with the school district to make sure councilors and mental health professionals are available.
GIRALDO: Law enforcement offices should need a mental health evaluation on an annual basis in order to serve.
STREETS: I do believe that we should have uniformed law enforcement officers available in the schools so that in cases of emergency they can be present and easily identified. I am not a proponent of teachers and staff taken on the responsibility of being armed and providing protection to students.
JACQUES THOMAS: We already have counselors, we need to take a step by step approach we need to protect our children the best way possible. In the wake of the Stoneman Douglas tragedy I think we need to have a collaborative approach. We are to restrict officers and use them as a final resort. Collaboration is our biggest friend. We can’t risk the lives of our children.
8. The cash bail system keeps more than 70% of people charged, but not convicted, for a crime in local jails for several weeks or months due to an inability to afford bail. This disproportionately affects people of color and poorer folks. Do you support efforts to eliminate or reform the cash bail system?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: I am marking yes but I am not sure of what city ordinances that this would apply for my position as a city council member. However this is something that I would like to learn more about. I don’t believe anyone should be held unnecessarily simply because of their financial constraints.
GIRALDO: Reform is needed as well as accountability and corrective action to support the individuals charged with mental health evaluation and other methods.
STREETS: Yes there is need for reform to the cash bail system so that there isn’t a disparity between those that are black or of a lower socioeconomic background.
9. Do you support increasing funding to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, as well as mental health services and court diversion programs that prioritize mental health and treatment for addiction over incarceration?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: Yes as a city, taking care of our most vulnerable population is one of the key roles of a responsible council member and responsible city.
STREETS: I am actually working with the county, other municipalities and other non-profit agencies to offer more services to meet the needs of our homeless population.
10. Do you support efforts to address the rising cost of housing by working with federal, state and local agencies to build more affordable housing for renters and homeowners?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: Our city has pushed affordable housing for renters and homeowners out of the city as much as possible. Right now, there are some very upsetting plans to move our seniors from the affordable housing at Royal Palm Towers and other similar developments. We need to work more closely with the housing authority and make sure that areas such as Midtown have mixed income housing so that everyone has the opportunity to be there. This should be implemented throughout the city. I am opposed to giving tax rebates and incentives to developers who are not contributing to low income housing issues we have.
GIRALDO: We can’t expect successful economic development when people can’t afford the housing alternatives offered.
JACQUES THOMAS: I believe that we need rent control within our city if businesses are not able to provide competitive wages especially now we are to match wages with living expenses. Rent is to stay at 30 percent of our income no more no less. This will reduce turnover and also cut the chronic homelessness that we are dealing with in our city.
11. Do you support a $15 minimum wage and labor policies including fair scheduling and paycheck fairness protections?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: This isn’t really something that I will have control over as a city council member however personally I do support an increase in pay to bring minimum wage to $15 an hour incrementally. Poverty has been one of the greatest obstacles for success and we should do what we can to eliminate it.
12. Do you support efforts to provide relief for student loan debt and to make some public colleges and universities tuition-free?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: This isn’t something as a city council member that I will be addressing. However I would like to see further education such as some colleges and trade schools to be tuition free. I think starting with trade schools and then colleges would be a great approach.
GIRALDO: I will be 70 before i finish paying my loans!!!!
13. Do you support efforts to provide universal Pre-K education for all young children?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: This isn’t something as a city council member that I will be addressing. However yes I think it should be an extension of current schools and available for all.
14. Do you support the decriminalization of marijuana for recreational use?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Decline to answer
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: This isn’t something as a city council member that I will be addressing. However what I will be addressing is allowing dispensaries to open in the city limits and that is something I would support.
STREETS: I have not done a lot of research on the subject matter; however, I am consulting with experts to be able to make an informed decision on this matter.
WRAY: I support full legalization.
15. Do you support the removal of objects glorifying the Confederacy from public spaces?
Connie Bennett-Martin: Yes
Diana Giraldo: Yes
Johnny Streets: Yes
Anthony Thomas: Yes
Jacques Thomas: Yes
Jared Wray: Yes
BENNET-MARTIN: We already have a historical museum in Fort Myers and that is where these should be placed with appropriate information so that they are education pieces.
JACQUES THOMAS: If we toppled the Saddam Hussein statue in 2003 and helped the Iraqi people overcome from the shadows of the past, why can’t we? In 1987 we pushed for the removal of the Berlin Wall, a symbol of hate and division. We must practice what we preach In the great words of Ronald Reagan “Tear down these walls”. Tear down these walls America. Democracy has spoken.
16. Briefly list any proposals or policies you will pursue to promote racial justice in the community and ensure the voices of people of color are represented through the elected office you seek.
BENNET-MARTIN: One of my first objectives is to work towards creating a baseline infrastructure throughout Fort Myers. I previously helped (2012) with the city charter to require equal rights in city business. Because of this, the city cannot operate in a discriminatory manner. I will pursue measures like this to ensure that we serve our community as a whole.
GIRALDO: The City must implement the policies provided by the Mayor’s diversity and inclusion advisory committee as well as hiring a position to address the education, training, and maintenance of the policies.
STREETS: I want a policy to ensure that every position filled within the city has met the requirements of the EEOC to ensure that there is no room for possible discriminatory practices in our hiring process.
JACQUES THOMAS:
Instill a police agency that reflects the demographics of our community;
Community outreach engagement;
Work with developers to revitalize our community not gentrify them.
WRAY: I believe I am the most progressive candidate in the race when it comes to police reform. I adopted Campaign Zero's Policy Platform, and support things such as banning no-knock raids and ending qualified immunity. I also support refunding local non-profit organizations within the city that were defunded last year.
17. Communities of color represent an overwhelming majority of individuals whose jobs are considered essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Briefly describe your plans to protect essential workers and their families from the health and economic effects of the pandemic.
BENNET-MARTIN: Unfortunately the State and County control much of what we can do as far as protecting our community with funding from the CARES Act. We are very dependent on them for this funding. I spoke up at the city council emergency meeting to require face masks for businesses within the city. I will continue to advocate for the safety and protection of our families and workers. At that time, I was the only candidate who spoke up to advocate for masks.
GIRALDO: As leaders we have to provide tools to businesses and employees. If we are not going to get serious about a mask mandate, we have to provide other tools other than a dog and pony show for community education. An outreach opportunity often is short of success if there is no system or policy behind and I know this from being a former government employee and the head of a local nonprofit. We do not have enough financial resources locally to provide to those suffering the economic impact. While I do not have the magic answer to address the financial impact issues, we can start by stopping giving away money to out of town developers in the form of waivers and put that money instead back in the community.
STREETS: I will work with our local and other medical entities to ensure that we have adequate medical supplies to meet the needs of our community. I also want there to be access to medical attention for prevention and treatment of not only COVID-19, but all other illnesses that are disproportionately affecting our community, such as hypertension and diabetes. I will continue to promote and assist with the provision of PPE for our community and utilize PSAs and social media outlets to remind our community about the importance of social distancing, washing hands and wearing a mask if they are physically able to.
JACQUES THOMAS: When a pandemic happens we need to be quick and urgent when it comes to our working class. If they were to lose their jobs we are to have an immediate freeze on rent and mortgage. Evictions will not help the situation this will increase turnover within the housing in Southwest Florida and give these greedy developers opportunity to renovate the units or homes and sell them at a higher rate thus leaving the working class out to where they will have to relocate outside of Fort Myers, or worse increase the number of homelessness which will further contribute to this chronic homelessness.
WRAY: I am proud to be the only candidate in the race to support a mask mandate, we need to save lives. I will also push for a $15 dollar minimum wage ordinance if the ballot initiative fails in November.
For more information about the candidates:
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