Khalid Wright: There's a lack of leadership in the 3rd Ward. We need to move forward. Like the current situation with the water commission. Councilman Green, before I state the fact, tried to tear apart the water commission. Until now, he has not attended a water commission meeting. Mistruths, the council's definitely concerned about them rather than the facts.

DS: Do you know the graduation rate of the high school students in East Orange?

KW: Any rate can be improved. It's how we relate to the students. For technology and math, we can introduce the STEM level to the middle school. As a commissioner of the water department, in 2010 we took 40 students from different schools and planted trees. We started the process with the children. These jobs and science and technology are our future.

DS: What is your opinion about public safety in the last 3 years?

KW: Under Bowser, in the past three years, it's somewhat flatlined. Jose Cordero was voted to be director of the police department at the time the police chief was retiring. Councilman Green voted no for the appointment of Cordero. The council members got reelected with the numbers Cordero achieved.

Dhiren Shah:

Ted Green: Thank you for interviewing me. It's an honor to be a part of Local Talk and part of an organization in the community doing good things. I want to continue to do the things I have been doing. It's about people, and the community. I love serving the residents. There's many things that are really left unfinished that I want to complete in terms of seeing the economic development in our community, continuing to push strong recreation for our young people, and continuing to fight hard for public safety, and to push education in our community. I look forward to continuing the job that I started since 2005.

DS: You have been publicized as a mayoral candidate for almost two years, and the Democratic Party's East Orange Chairman Leroy Jones has portrayed you that way. Why was there a change, and how do you feel about it?

Dhiren Shah:

Chris James: I have spent my life in East Orange. I was chief of staff for Sheila Oliver. In the budget, the state cut a lot of funding. We need experienced people, and a new innovative way of doing things.

DS: What is the duty of the council?

CJ: Be a legislative arm for the city government, to make legislation and get ordinances passed. The biggest part of the council is being an advocate for the constituents when they have a problem in city government.

DS: What do you think of the quality of service under the Bowser administration?

Dhiren Shah: Welcome Mr. Bullock. Why are you running for the 2nd Ward council seat?

Romal Bullock: Having grown up in East Orange, and being in and around here my entire life, you get a feel for things, and I can see that we are at a real crossroads now. The next few years are going to real important in a time of change for East Orange. The right kinds of growth, the right kinds of development within the next few years. The right kinds of choice are going to depend on the leadership in City Hall. I'm running because I feel I have the right kind of background and insights to help us make the right decisions moving forward.