The Stennis-Montgomery Association at Mississippi State University hosted a forum for the Mississippi House District 38 candidates on Thursday.
The candidates running are Starkville native and business owner Narissa Bradford, Executive Director of the Brickfire Project Cheikh Taylor and former Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn.
The candidates answered questions pertaining to infrastructure, education and their perspective platforms. Students also submitted questions prior to the forum.
The seat became vacant when former State Rep. Tyrone Ellis, D-Starkville, retired in June after nearly four decades in the Mississippi House of Representatives.
Ellis addressed the crowd by saying citizens are in a great position, because they can do something about the challenges and conditions of the state of Mississippi by voting in the election. He said to become engaged with politics because it affects every person.
"It's up to you to elect people that will carry the torch forward and keep this government moving in a positive direction," Ellis said.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Each candidate was asked how they propose a solution to the state's current infrastructure needs.
Taylor said Mississippi is in a central location close large cities like New Orleans, St. Louis and Nashville. He said the state has a large mix of things to offer new markets and industries to come, which will generate tax revenue overall helping the economy to fix its infrastructure needs.
"Mississippi’s infrastructure challenges remain significant but they are solvable," Taylor said. "Through strategic sustained investments, bold leadership, thoughtful planning and careful preparation for the needs of the future our infrastructure will be improved and restored."
Wynn said when people think infrastructure, they think of only bridges and roads. She said this also includes the airports and dams.
One option, Wynn said is to locate a firm to create a comprehensive plan and with the plan see the visions and goals needed to improve the state's needs. She said one way to look at funding is through grants.
"Do we want to address infrastructure because things are aging and we are spending more money?" Wynn said. "Do we want to address infrastructure because it's needed for economic development? and the answer to that is yes."
Bradford said one improvement for infrastructure is to "bridge the digital divide" between the rural and urban areas. She said it is important for communities because in today's world internet has become a basic necessity, rather than a luxury.
With the divide between rural and urban areas, Bradford said she would like to expand public transit to rural areas. She said even though infrastructure is a current problem, it is not an issue that can be solved overnight.
"It requires continuous work and progress," Bradford said.
EDUCATION
If elected, Bradford said she would sort through the noise and keep children at the center of decisions being made. She said school systems are complicated and there are many factors, which determine successful schools and students.
"We need to give our schools flexibility to adopt best practices of what best fits their community," Bradford said. "What works in Starkville may not work in West Point."
Bradford said she wants to create programs to bridge the gaps in the state's current educational system and with a team, the problems can be addressed in increments.
"We all know the fastest way to fail a group of people is to release them into the world without a proper education," Bradford said.
Wynn said education is one of the most important topics in need of addressing in the state. She said resources are not going towards what affects the longterm success of Mississippi.
"It is sad that prisoners in the state of Mississippi receive more money than the people in our school," Wynn said.
Taylor said one of his main goals is to support existing public education and to ensure public dollars are being spent on public schools.
"Public education is our best option to support diversity and inclusion," Taylor said.
With education at the forefront, Taylor said he will press for resources and policies to educate, recruit and retain highly qualified teachers. He said current policies push teachers away from their profession.
"As a result we have more and more experienced teachers leaving public education all together," Taylor said. "That has to change."
PLATFORMS
Bradford said one of the biggest problems she wants to address is the problems with the criminal justice system. She said children who are having problems with education are put in jail with high bonds and because of funds, they have to sit in jail longer, putting them even further behind.
"We are having a problem with the criminal justice system,"Bradford said. "My goal is to create mandatory rehabilitation programs."
With the program, Bradford said she wants to create a more well-rounded person through life skill classes, business etiquette, family counseling and mental health counseling.
Bradford wants to push for this program to be at the state level.
"I want to help these kids after they first stumble," Bradford said.
Taylor said his platform has always focused on the idea of "Mississippi Forward". He said he wants to focus on education, and social justice for those in Mississippi.
"We have to stop that revolving door going in and out of prison," Taylor said.
Agreeing with Bradford, Taylor said the state needs to work on educating those who are in Mississippi prisons by molding them into productive members of society.
He said if there are people working in the kitchen they should be able to work towards being sous chefs or if people are working in the fields, an agricultural degree. Taylor said he supports stopping the cash bail system.
Wynn addressed her platform by saying education is one of her top priorities. She said she will push to make sure teachers are being paid fair amounts and will look for improvements at both the state and local level.
"We are in a crossroad in education," Wynn said.