Significant differences are on display between the candidates for Springfield mayor as they met in their first candidates forum, heard live on WMAY.
Incumbent Mayor Jim Langfelder and city Treasurer Misty Buscher will meet in the April general election. Buscher says city government’s minority hiring record under Langfelder is “dismal,” while Langfelder said his administration has made great strides in building trust between the police department and minority communities. Langfelder left the door open for the return of paid metered parking downtown, with the adoption of smart parking meters… but Buscher says she would do away with the meters entirely.
Both candidates said the city should take a look at its relationship with private ambulance companies in the aftermath of last month’s incident where a Springfield man died after being transported by EMTs employed by a private company.
