* * See and hear the second Henry - Kelty Debate from October 30 on Channel 15
The First Tom Henry - Matt Kelty Debate
On Tuesday night, October 23, there was a debate between Tom Henry and Matt Kelty, both candidates for mayor of Fort Wayne at the main Library in downtown Fort Wayne.
When Rachel and I got off of the elevator to go to the debate, Matt Kelty walked right up to us and introduced himself and shook my hand. He asked my name and when he heard it probably had no clue that I do this web site. The point is that this guy seems to have no fear. He is an "in your face" Mr. Personality.
It is amazingly true about what has been said about Mr. Kelty. The first time you meet Matt Kelty, he appears to be a great guy, but the second time you meet him you begin to wonder, is this guy for real? The third time you meet him you understand that there is something very different about this guy. This was the second time I have heard him speak and I now know that there is something really different about this person and it does not make me feel comfortable being around him.
The debate was helpful in that it helped clarify the candidates positions. Tom Henry often paused to answer, took his time, took notes and spoke with experience. Matt Kelty was quick to answer, spoke rapidly and took no notes - just spoke his beliefs. Frankly, we have heard Henry speak at least five times. His message is usually very clear, well thought out and when he speaks you know that he is aware of the complexities of the issues. At the debate, however, he was much more subdued than usual. Maybe it had something to do with being next to the hyper-active Matt Kelty.
One of the most important differences was in the use of buzz words - something that I find contrary to understanding. While Tom Henry used very few, Matt Kelty used them over and over. Here are some examples:
Kelty said that "public health is important." but not at the expense of small business owners.
He talked about lowering costs - and then complained because police do not have the protective vests they need and we took away their take-home police cars.
While the common understanding of the term "pro-life" means ending abortions, he expanded it to sound better for others by saying it included better jobs, better neighborhoods and on to many other things that have nothing to do with abortion.
Other terms were, "hard earned tax dollars," "Christian." and that extension of "pro-life" are a sample of words used to convey a feeling with no depth of understanding.
When talking about illegal immigrants both agreed on basic issues. But, while Henry stayed on target, Kelty spoke all around it including an appreciation of the Burmese in our city which have absolutely nothing to do with illegal immigrants.
Kelty confused code enforcement with crime statistics. The guy is so focused on his core beliefs that he does not see the whole picture. He can smile and talk a mile-a-minute, but near the end of the debate it hit me. This guy sounds just like a flimflam man and he really scares me.
I realize this was an uneaven report of the debate and that is just because I have heard Tom Henry speak so many times and am so comfortable with his knowledge, understanding and appreciate his skills. Getting to know the public Matt Kelty is a unique experience. This guy is different, and not in a way that makes me comfortable and while he speaks well to his base, my impression is that he does not speak to the majority of thinking people who live in Fort Wayne.
The next debate is Tuesday, October 30 @ Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.