Candidates Lolita Berrien, Guy LaLonde Jr., and Commissioner Samuel Simmons were exceedingly cordial with each other as they were peppered with questions about affordable housing and the homeless.
The candidates each put forward key issues of preserving and improving Lakeland’s quality of life with affordable housing, public safety, addressing infrastructural needs, and pledged support for local small businesses.
Ana Rivera, president and CEO of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Polk County, asked each candidate for their specific plans to address homelessness in the City of Lakeland.
Simmons said he “didn’t know the answer” to the issue.
LaLonde said he put faith in the collaboration started earlier this year and led by Lakeland police Lt. Joe Parker, who organized two meetings bringing together different nonprofits and agencies that provide services for the homeless to come up with a plan.
Berrien said she would not be able to solve the issue in a four-year term, but suggested the city could look at utilizing empty buildings or vacant lots to create a home for the homeless.
Terry Coney, NAACP Lakeland Branch president, asked the candidates what their goal was in working with the homeless.
All the candidates agreed they felt some sort of city committee was needed to develop a goal or strategy — no one candidate would comment on what the overall goal should be.