A&T hosted “Invite to Unite” a political forum candidates running for offices yesterday in the city of Greensboro last Thursday in Harrison Auditorium.

The forum featured three sections for the district, the at-large and mayoral candidates. Major topics discussed at the forum included the recent drought as well as the city’s gang problems.

Members of the panel included District 2 opponents Goldie Frinks Wells and Lance A. Jones. T. Dianne Bellamy-Small was not in attendance. Small made headlines recently when her constituents pushed to have her removed from office during her latest term.Wells discussed the increased crime rate in Greensboro, specifically District 2, which is the A&T district. She also addressed the issue of campus crime.

She said that if elected, she would respond to the issue by adding additional units to the campus police force.

Lance A. Jones suggested students should start helping out each other because the police can’t do it own their own. He suggested students should start walking in groups and that male students accompany female students at all times.

In regards to the education system in Greensboro, Wells said, “The doors are there but we don’t have the kids to walk through them.” While Jones said that city council has very little influence in education.

All six at-large candidates were also in attendance. Along with the crime and water issues these candidates discussed the economic issues also affecting the city.

Mary Rakestraw, who finished first among the candidates in the primary last month discussed the business changes that are taking place in Greensboro and specifically the expansion of Piedmont Triad International Airport and the recent arrival of Dell Computers to Winston-Salem in 2005.

According to Rakestraw, failing to properly address the city’s water shortage could cause the Triad to suffer economically.Kevin Green said his purpose was to improve the voter turnout among A&T students. He also discussed his plans to help make Greensboro become a more business friendly, like Charlotte.

Robbie Perkins talked about improving the city’s public transportation system. He also discussed fixing the problems associated with the city’s bus routes.

The candidates came under fire when a member of the audience asked “Why should we believe anything you say when it is clear that you only care about your own interests?”

All of the candidates deny having personal interests or being apart of any type of interest groups.

The absence of Milton Kerns caused the mayoral debate to turn into a question and answer session with mayor candidate Yvonne Johnson.

Johnson has served 14 years on the city council and another 6 years as Mayor Pro-Tem. She opened by stating “Service is the rent you pay for being on this Earth.” When asked about the gang situation in Greensboro, she said, “I don’t think the police department can handle the gang situation on its own it is going to take a village.”

She also about talked about her plan to use gangs for good in the community and how the city’s recent purchase of part of the Haw River will allow the city’s water levels to once again reach normal levels.

She also talked about bringing high paying, white collar jobs to Greensboro, so that recent college graduates will have more opportunities for employment.

The official day to vote was yesterday.

• Dwight Moore II