Editorial note: The article has been updated to reflect a correction to one of the candidates name.

VALDOSTA – A forum for candidates in the upcoming Valdosta city election drew a large crowd of community members as candidates voiced their concerns and potential visions for the region Tuesday evening.

The panel was held at the Valdosta City Hall Annex and was in partnership with the Southern Georgia Black Chambers (SGBC) and The Game Changers with Angela Ward. Ward moderated the panel including candidates Fallon Harris, city mayor; J.D. Rice, city mayor; Tyra Howard, Valdosta City Schools Board District 4; Jason Deloach, Valdosta City Schools Board District 5; Yurshema Flanders, city council District 1; Nick Harden, city council at large and Edgar Tooley, city council at large.

Southern Georgia Black Chambers President and CEO Dewayne Johnson opened the event. The panel followed with discussions on several hot topics such as education, economic development and resources, healthcare access and community safety. Candidates were able to respond in 90 second increments.

Ward began the discussion asking mayoral candidate J.D. Rice, “What inspired you to run for public office and what experience do you bring to a role that you believe will benefit our community?

Rice responded, “Valdosta needs change. Valdosta is sitting at an opportune location for tremendous economic growth. However, there is a disparity if you ride around Valdosta you will see different aspects of our community. What Valdosta is lacking is leadership.”

He explained the disparities on the Southside of Valdosta: there is only one bank and grocery store compared to the 13 banks and many stores on the Northside. He mentioned the rise in criminal activity in the city area and the potential for competition with other cities economically.

Each candidate continued after Rice introducing themselves and their visions for their potential positions.

Mayoral candidate Fallon Harris said, “The reason why I decided to run for mayor is because it was dear in heart. An incident that happened with my son let me know that the City of Valdosta really needs to get together with law enforcement because we need to be protected as citizens as residents instead of being looked at as the criminals and we’re the victims.”

Harris called for the community to join together rather than separate by what areas they reside in, for more activities for children other than sports and more resources for the elderly.

Valdosta City Schools Board of District 5 Jason Deloach: “Our community revolves around education and our children being prepared to enter into the workforce. Our children are searching right now. We have an obligation to help them, to come around them, to mentor them and to help them so when they come out into the world they are ready to open businesses or be employees. There’s a tremendous amount of opportunities in Valdosta. Our best is yet to come in this community and I fully believe that.”

Ward continued with the second question, “Given the diversities of our community, how do you plan to represent and address the interests of all residents, especially those who may be underserved or under-represented?”

Candidate for Valdosta City Council At Large Edgar Tooley said he sees a lot of Valdosta due to participating on a few boards and that he’s able to learn more and do outreach while assisting his sister.

“I have noticed the diversity just through her. The way she cares about everybody as far as helping everyone on the Southside, Northside and Eastside. That’s the model I would take, is to follow her lead because she has set an example for me to see that everybody should be treated fairly and equally. That way we’re going to make our city better,” Tooley said.

Nick Harden, also a candidate for the city council’s at-large seat: “I think it starts with active listening. We need to get out into our communities and sometimes go into the community. A lot of times they don’t know who their representatives are. They don’t know who to call or who to talk to. We need to be active to be out there to be seen and present. That’s important. I feel that I could do that and I have done that.”

Comments were also made on specific actions plans to address hot topics education, economic development, healthcare access and community safety.

Valdosta City Schools District 4 Incumbent Tyra Howard: “My top priority is increasing literacy and student achievement, retaining teachers and developing leaders. Our strategic plan is focused on a clear vision, strong values and victory in our performance across the board.”

Valdosta City Council of District 1 Candidate Yurshema Flanders explained her priority would be raising awareness of resources to parents and families in need.

“When you empower a household and you give a parent what they need to survive with their family and raise their children, you give them power. You give them a sense of security, and households need to know what those resources are. In looking for resources through the job that I do, I have noticed that when you give a parent the tools that they need to survive and not just exist they soar. The world is the limit,” Flanders said. “There should be a way that our city takes care of each other. There should be some things in place because life happens, things happen.”

The panel ended with discussions about fostering collaboration and partnerships across local government and businesses as well as strengthening emergency preparedness.

The attendees received light refreshments provided by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Kappa Tau Lambda Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Kappa Eta Omega Chapter and Kappa Upsilon Chapter.