Wukela, Pearce answer residents’ questions on crime, development
Democratic nominee Stephen J. Wukela, left, and independent petition candidate Rocky Pearce, right, answer residents’ questions during the most recent Florence mayoral debate Thursday on News13.
Published: October 23, 2008
Updated: October 25, 2008
Residents got to ask the tough questions during the most recent Florence mayoral debate, where crime and economic development came to the forefront.
Thursday’s Voice of the Voter debate, broadcast live Thursday on WBTW News13, featured Democratic nominee Stephen J. Wukela and independent petition candidate Rocky Pearce.
Wukela, citing the recent slaying victims found off Gaillard Street, said the city must fight crime through the addition of 18 police officers and the cleanup of abandoned buildings and lots that “fester crime.” Police Chief Anson Shells requested the 18 police officers more than a year ago, and since then the city has had five more murder cases, Wukela said.
WATCH THE DEBATE
Florence mayoral debate, part 1
Florence mayoral debate, part 2
Florence mayoral debate, part 3
Pearce said he agrees with Wukela, but added that he advocates community policing, in which officers patrol neighborhoods on foot so that residents are comfortable talking to the police. He said that when law enforcement receives a tip, as they did in the Gaillard Street case, they can react swiftly.
Wukela, an attorney, said the city must improve its crime rate and infrastructure to attract and support small business.
“The history has been enticing (companies) with big-business tax breaks and sweetheart insider deals,” Wukela said.
“We need to make a Florence that can sell itself,” he added.
Pearce, who runs an insurance company, responded that he has been a small businessman for 38 years. He said the city began a downtown business and technology incubator center during his tenure as mayor, serving as a Democrat from 1983 to 1991.
“It’s the people of Florence that make the difference — the work ethic we have here, the morals we have in our community,” Pearce said when talking about his meetings with Fortune 50 and 100 companies.
In response to a question about downtown revitalization, Pearce said public-private partnerships must continue to help downtown Florence reach its full potential.
“The development is beginning, and it’s critical to our future,” he said.
Wukela said he wants to see the “central heart of our city restored” and thereby heal any divisions between the city’s residents and leadership.
Pearce said he would aim to unite the city through prayer.
“The most segregated time seems to be on Sunday during church,” he said.
One question to Pearce asked whether the candidate would have run if Mayor Frank Willis hadn’t lost to Wukela in the Democratic primary.
Pearce didn’t say whether Willis’ loss was a factor in his decision, but answered that he entered the race after several people called him after the primary and said they wanted a choice in November.
Wukela said it’s more important for voters to know what he and Pearce would do for Florence as mayor.
“I believe they’ll decide for change come November,” Wukela said.
Overall, Pearce said the debate covered jobs and crime, the top issues on Florence residents’ minds. Wukela said he heard the same citizen concerns he’s heard since March and that those concerns need to be addressed soon.
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Reader Reactions
“Its kind of low to steal someones yard signs!!“
You noticed that, too? A LOT of them have been disappearing the past several days. Two disappeared from in front of the strip mall run by that Jebailey guy across from Wal-mart. I wonder if it’s because his brother is getting “sweetheart” deals in the real estate dealings downtown? Someone should look into that. Funny how the Pearce signs (among others) have been left alone, though. Dirty tricks like these are Robinson-esque in their origin. Those guys strike me as the kind who call him names behind his back, and suck up to his face lest they be labeled “racist.“ The real racists are those who don’t want this community to heal its divisions & create the opportunity for a better life for EVERY citizen of Florence.
Its kind of low to steal someones yard signs!! But would expect nothing less out of the Pearce camp. They are desperate to keep the current regime in place (city administration). Oh yeah…ANSWER THE QUESTION PEARCE!!!!! Who called you?
Here here Nick! You always speak words of hope and TRUTH. That is what this campaign has been about from day one; hope, truth, and change. WUKELA has only to worry about the upper crust voter population of this berg i.e.; residents of the Country club, Wisteria Dr, and Rocky’s folks on Cherokee rd. South Florence, East, North, and West Florence are solidly backing WUKELA. I have been volunteering in these areas and know from speaking to the intelligent and conscious citizens that they are behind WUKELA and see right through the transparency of what Mr Pearce is up to.
I also wonder who is behind the removal and theft of so many WUKELA yard signs in the past several days.
Well said Nick. I “pray” 51% of the city agrees with us! Or we will be in trouble once again. Wukelas our only hope.
On the subject of prayer; It definetly couldn’t hurt. I imagine the officers do it quite frequently. They’ve been understaffed & overworked for many years now, ever since the days when community policing was first implemented…just about when Rocky was messing up enough to get ousted the first time he served as mayor by Haig Porter. The police are consistently expected to do more with less every time someone comes up with a hare-brained/catch-phrase-style idea to try and staunch the flow of blood in our streets. COP might have worked if the police department had been able to keep pace with the growth of our community; but it did not. A failure of leadership by the Mayors Pearce, Porter, and Willis; City Managers Edwards & Williams; and Police Chiefs Porter & Shells. It comes down to this: if citizens want something done about crime, they must side with the men & women who stand in the “thin blue line” for them every day, and vote for Stephen Wukela. The vast majority of line Officers in the police department support his candidacy. They know he won’t rely on faith alone to combat crime. He’ll listen to what THEY have to say about it, and put the people in charge who know how to fight crime, not just play hug-a-thug. It’s time to put the armed career criminals behind bars, clear out the trouble spots, and give the streets back to the citizens. Community policing needs police in order to work, and the first step in that process is electing a Mayor who cared enough to get involved BEFORE his phone started ringing off the hook…Stephen J. Wukela.
Form a line people. The Florence police officers will be giving out more hugs and high fives if Pearce gets into office. Nothing will change with him as mayor. Same old smacking the criminals on the hand and telling them to go home!
Rocky Pearce has a very “Andy Griffith” like approach to handling issues such as crime.
Just pray ya’ll!
Yeah the cameras will work to stop crime. Maybe if we put one on every tree, telephone pole, and building in the City of Florence. We will only have to hire 30 officers to watch these great cameras. Another thing Pearce thinks community policing will stop the murders and crime in the city. That is the biggest joke I have ever heard. People will not talk to the police about the crime they see now!! More officers doing community policing will make them talk. Get real!! How about give the police department the power to arrest people once again without being in fear of losing their jobs. Pearce you suck, and we dont want you. You should have ran in the primary against Wukela (our next mayor) and the former mayor Willis (ha ha ha). Mr. Ed was the concerned citizen that called and asked you to run for office. He needs funding for next years juneteenth/black family expo event.
“Pearce said he would aim to unite the city through prayer. “ ..... This is the problem with this town anyways! Everybody just wants to pray about it.
Cocky Pearce also said during the WPDE debate that he would like to install cameras in the bad areas .. get rid of the crime ... then put the cameras somewhere else. What a stupid solution to such a complex situation>
One more thing. Mr Pearce please quit filling my mailbox with your political pamphlets. I especially despise the one that is supposed to be from your wife where it focuses on your family’s love of God. That’s great but God is not a polititian-leave him out of your race. Shame on you for stooping so low.
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