Patmon, the former city councilman is campaigning with only a small fraction of the money the mayor has been able to raise. Jackson trounced Patmon more than six to one in the primary and he hasn't generated much excitement describing what he would do differently for cleveland. Patmon likens himself to David against Goliath. Here's one of his best shots at Jackson.
PATMON: "A lot of things don't happen in Cleveland because there is no political will to make them happen and I for one believe that if you're a good mayor, a very political mayor on the national stage, on the state stage, a lot of these things would happen because governors need the Mayor of the city of Cleveland to get elected, senators need the mayor of the city of Cleveland to get elected and the president needs the mayor of the city of Cleveland to get elected."
Jackson, ever unflappable about his style of leadership, nonetheless takes his opponent seriously. during the call-in show he pointed to a record of accomplishment amidst struggle on the economic and employment fronts.
JACKSON: "I can point to companies that have moved into Cleveland, particularly downtown Cleveland, they're not huge companies, but they are companies in the professional area. I can point to the decision on the Medical Mart and the convention center that will create jobs."
The Medical Mart and Convention Center are still mired in the planning and land acquisition process, but Jackson has pledged to sell the old convention center to the county to become the site for the new building. More immediate problems loom. Whoever wins next month's election will have to find a way to close a big budget deficit. Patmon accused Mayor Jackson of using smoke and mirrors to deal with prior budget shortfalls.
PATMON: "The evidence of it is that we're projecting a 50....and these are his projections...a 50 million dollar deficit for the 2010 budget."
Jackson was able to balance a more-than half billion dollar budget for 2009 with no layoffs or service cuts. And he expects to do the same next year:
JACKSON: "We are building up a carryover balance and we will be okay for this year, we're looking at next year and looking at ways to increase our carryover balance. We'll reduce the expenditure side of that 50 million and also raise some dollars that will allow us to fill the gap."
Patmon also criticized the mayor for not rooting out wrongdoing in the city's Building and Housing department where six employees were recently indicted for accepting bribes. Jackson replied his administration has fully cooperated with the FBI investigation that brought the charges, adding that his administration won't tolerate illegal behavior.