Candidates meet once again for a forum

The Colorado River Tea Party held a candidate forum almost a month after the Yuma City Council race.

During the primary election, none of the candidates secured more than 50 percent of the vote.

Members of the audience asked all the questions on about the potential annexation of Mesa Del Sol.

” The way that we stand currently on our budget, financially today. I would be against it, ” said Chris Morris, candidate.

“I will tell you if the residents of Mesa del Sol want to be a part of the city, then by all means, I welcome you,” said Edward Thomas.

Morris and Thomas both agreed it would bring more money to the city due to taxes.

Another question revolving around parks and recreation.

” Our recreation is very important but there are so many needs in the city of Yuma that must be accomplished with lesser dollars. The wants out there should not overrule the needs, ” said Ema Lea Shoop , candidate.

” We need to make sure that we think about who our constituents are. They’re not all between like 40 and 90. They’re also between like 0 and 14. We need to address the needs of our youth. We’re going to have streets, but we want to have good solid youth, ” said Mike Shelton, incumbent.

” When I think of parks and rec, I think of a Joe Henry Park. I think of a Sanguinetti park. I think of pools. I see a lot of people with unrestricted access to. That’s what we need to do. We need to maintain and focus on what we have and keeping them better maintained and committed as opposed to committing our self to new projects like we already did, ” said Robert Scarborough.

The audience also asked if they couldn’t vote for themselves who would each candidate vote for. Thomas said he would vote for Jason Bradley because neither are from Yuma but made it the area home. While candidates Jason Morris and Robert Scarborough saying they would vote for each other and Ema Lea Shoop . Ema Lea Shoop and Mike Shelton did not name anyone.