With less than two weeks from the primary election, the four candidates for mayor are making their pitch to be the leader of Omaha.
They made their pitch at the Love Deliverance Temple, near 30th and Bedford, Sunday.
"This is an election that gives everyone in this city a chance to elect a middle class mayor, someone who uses our public library, uses our parks and looks at city services in a completely different way, because my family, like yours, utilizes those city services," said Heath Mello, former Nebraska senator.
Mayor Jean Stothert went over several highlights during her time as mayor, such as a lower homicide rate and increasing Omaha’s police force from 804 to 860 officers.
"We have made a lot of progress and we can only get better moving forward, working together in the future,” Stothert said. “It's been an honor to serve as your mayor for the last four years and it would be an honor to continue serving and continue our great progress that we're had."
That progress was challenged by each candidate.
Taylor Royal, who says he'll take a business approach to running the city, points out several major companies leaving the city such as ConAgra moving their headquarters to Chicago.
"When these headquarters leave it leaves and affects us all and it leaves a hole in our climb,” Royal said. “I walk through the economics of it, but that's why we have these pesky little taxes in the first place.”
Consultant and Entrepreneur Ean Mikale questioned the city’s involvement with north Omaha, saying that the neighborhood is neglected in many ways such as lack of street repair and beautification.
At the forum, Mikale drew on his faith in god.
"My god has sent me to this day, to love on my people,” Mikale said. “To make sure that my people are truly free."
