Carol Hill-Evans was trying to run a city council meeting.
Joe Beltrante was looking to make an impassioned point about a city resident.
And with that brief but heated exchange this week, the mayoral race in York was off and running.
So far, three candidates have announced that they’ll seek the Democratic nomination for mayor this year– incumbent Kim Bracey, businessman Beltrante and council president Hill-Evans. Those announcements have trickled out over the past weeks and months.
A crowd gathered at this week’s York City Council meeting, with many there to support mayoral hopeful Joe Beltrante, who engaged in a brief back-and-forth with the council president.
There’s a long way to go, of course.
But a crowd gathered for Tuesday night’s York City Council meeting perhaps got an early taste of things to come, when Beltrante moved to the podium to speak.
Beltrante — who’s running because he’s “had enough” of the political status quo — began talking about a woman who said she fell on a badly cracked sidewalk in the city. That woman brought her concerns to council last fall, and nothing has been done, Beltrante said.
That’s just the kind of political neglect he’s running against, Beltrante said.
From there, the businessman launched into what amounted to a campaign speech, looking to further outline the reasons for his mayoral run, and why folks should take notice.
Hill-Evans wasn’t having it.
The council president — who recently made her own mayoral campaign announcement — told Beltrante a council meeting is not the place for such a stump speech, and with raised voices the two sparred briefly to get their separate points across.
Beltrante moved back to his seat, but to a round of cheers from about 20 people who apparently had come in support.
Hill-Evans said in a recent story that she plans to release more of her platform in coming days. Mayor Bracey just related during an interview her thoughts on progress and her vision for the future.
And all five city council incumbents and hopefuls — Aaron Anderson, Manuel Gomez, Renee Nelson, Henry Nixon and David Satterlee — were on hand at that council session to watch, and to meet and greet the public.
Yes, the calendar and the thermometer say it’s still winter — but it sure feels like election season in the city.
I’d prefer candidates not utilize public comment sessions for political stump speeches. The preferable way to gain exposure in a city council setting is to stay and participate during the city business that comes before the council. That would be entirely legitimate and in fact, refreshing even.
Anything less amounts to electioneering in council chambers and madam chair was correct to maintain proper decorum in chambers.
He was the only person to said he would help me. If the city council would listen to him in November I would not have this problem and I would still be working.
The mayor did nothing. The city council did nothing. At least Joe tries to do something for me. He is the best and heroe de la comunidad latina.
I was injury my self I fell down in a broken sidewalk belongs to the house of the assistant chief of the York City Fire Department and the City Council knew about this since November and they didn’t take action about it you are saying that this is about political stump speeches o please wake up its not about listening it is about taking action its what we all need thanks to Joe beltrante he its supporting me because the city council did nothing about it and now I am in pain not able to work.
One day you will need him.
I’d prefer candidates that take action about community it is not about to be seating in a chair and just listening.
We deserve a lot better.
I agree with taking action. I’d also like to see people taking action spontaneously and consistently, not just during campaign season.
Definitely not during the peoples’ public comments section at city council. That’s begging to be shutdown, and appropriately so.
Yes, that’s right it is about always take action. But I am not going to be in every council meeting every month reminding the council members what they have to do for the citizens and the community. They know what to do they are the council members specially Hill Evans I feel like going to those meetings we are wasting our time. Hill Evans are she’s really running for mayor oh please give up. What did she do in these 4 years as the “president” of the City council? The answer its nothing. What did Kim bracey as the “Mayor” ? The answer its nothing. Let’s be honest we all need something different Joe Beltrante as the Mayor. Because we all deserve a lot of better.
OH my God Francheska you are saying that you fell down on a broken sidewalk and the city knew about this since november 3 months ago and they did nothing about it and now you are disable. Are you all right?. This city council has to be changed as soon is possible and you said Joe beltrante is the one helping you.
This people better take action about it because now you are hurt and then this people saying that is about campaign. They are crazy anyway they don’t care because you are the one in pain. Feel better francheska take care.
We need something better in York we have to make some changes citizens.
Joe Beltrante you have my vote for sure. Because we deserve better.