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Candidates for Ward 5, Mary Beth Jeter and Gary Jefferson, share their visions for Columbus while discussing crime, youth programs, and rejuvenating the city's image. The hosts also dive into the controversial naming process for the Columbus Fossil Park.

• Crime concerns in the city, with differing perspectives on whether enforcement or community building is the primary solution
• Jeter advocates for enforcing the juvenile curfew and increasing police presence
• Jefferson emphasizes that crime statistics show improvement while focusing on community engagement
• Candidates discuss positive developments in Columbus, with Jeter highlighting downtown growth and Jefferson naming local businesses in Ward 5
• Both agree on the importance of youth programs but differ on implementation approaches
• The hosts examine the Columbus Fossil Park naming controversy and broader policy implications
• Discussion about when and how public facilities should be named after individuals

Tips, questions, and comments welcome at tips@cdispatch.com.

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Pierre Beard and Bobby Johnson, candidates for Columbus Ward 4, square off in a heated debate about the ward's present condition and future direction. The incumbent Beard defends his record of progress while challenger Johnson paints a bleaker picture of a neglected area needing new leadership.

• Beard is asked about his brushes with the law and draws a distinction between his personal life and his record on the council.
• Beard pushes back on suggestions Ward 4 is in worse shape than other wards while Johnson agrees it is a "warzone."
• Both agree on the need for better youth intervention programs to address crime
• Columbus Police Department staffing has improved but remains below capacity at 49 officers out of 55 budgeted positions
• Debate reveals stark contrasts in candidates' views of the city's administration effectiveness
• Johnson advocates for making CPD officers the highest paid in the Golden Triangle
• Beard emphasizes his independence from party affiliation as a strength

The election will be held on June 3, and voters can also attend the upcoming mayoral forum on May 27 at 6pm.

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The Columbus city council debates sending a lame-duck councilman on an expensive trip to Washington DC while a hostile work environment complaint against the mayor surfaces and local nonprofit organizations struggle with federal funding cuts.

• Columbus City Councilman Mickens plans to join a Washington DC lobbying trip despite his term ending June 30
• A formal complaint filed by a city employee alleges Mayor Gaskin created a hostile work environment but the two have since mended their professional relationship
• The former First Baptist Church rezoning request faces odd questions from city leadership
• United Way of the Golden Triangle serves seven counties but faces significant challenges with federal funding cuts
• The Community Benefit Committee maintains 30 food pantries across Lowndes County that require refilling twice weekly