COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – Latino community groups brought city council and mayoral candidates together days before Georgia’s May 19 primary to discuss access, representation, and basic services.
The forum at the Columbus Public Library was organized by Impulse Leadership and two other Latino organizations. Candidates answered questions including healthcare and food access, citywide programs for youth, and economic outlooks for Columbus.
“Tonight isn’t just about listening, it’s about understanding, accountability and action,” an organizer said.
All candidates for council Districts 9, 7, 5, 3, and 1 were invited. District 3 candidate Zach Lee, District 5 candidate Charmaine Crabb, and District 1 candidates did not attend.
Several mayoral candidates attended. Mark LaJoye and Chris Breault did not attend. Isaiah Hugley sent a representative.
Jose R. Quinones, CFO and founder of Impulse Leadership, said all citizens do not have the same type of access for help.
“It is important for all demographics to be present to ensure that they are all being taken care of,” Quinones said. “They got just a little bit of questions, a little bit of taste of what the Latino community is lacking and that we are looking forward for them or any of the leaders to put forward into our way.”
Von Marie Cardona, a moderator, said the forum highlighted a disconnect between the Latino community and the city.
“It was really like an eye-opener. This was the first time that I’ve actually participated in a candidate forum,” Cardona said. “I feel like this was very important today because there’s definitely some disconnect between the Latino community and the city of Columbus.”
Raquel Aponte, a panelist who has lived in Columbus since age three, said the forum showed that Latino voices matter.
“It really shows me, especially in the times we’re in right now, that our voices do matter and that we are being taken into account,” Aponte said. “It was just really nice to hear some of the things the candidates were talking about, keeping things culturally relevant with the projects, not just with the Latino community, but just all communities.”
Quinones said the goal is equal access to basic services.
“We want a better community where all of us get served at the same level,” Quinones said. “It is not about who has more money or who has less money. It’s about the access to the simple things that every human should have, specifically our Latino community.”
Early voting in Muscogee County ends May 15.
Locations are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the City Services Center, Northside Recreation Center and Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center.
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