The Commission on Tuesday approved $80,000 in federal homeland security money to create tutoring programs, summer job training and crime-prevention programs.

Seleshi Asfaw is the executive director of Ethiopian Tewahedo social services. He says the program will focus on Franklin County’s so-called new Americans.

Asfaw says prevention is the best way to counter terrorist recruitment efforts.

“Prevention is the best solution before these youngsters  go though a different route,” Asfaw said.

“Fighting foreclosures is key to everything we want to do as a county,” he said. “This crisis undermines job creation, threatens regional development and robs those most in need of vital social services.”

Former city council president and appellate court judge Cindy Lazarus’ says she will stress the importance of economic development on a regional scale to address similar issues such as public transportation.

“We cannot continue a pattern of having isolated community by isolated community attempt to address the issues of concern to us,” she said.

Both candidates said they would consider a new transit system for better access to the downtown area. Lazarus said although it will be an expensive endeavor a public transportation upgrade will have a positive impact on the community.

“Whether there is a plan that, in fact, is feasible given the other demands on our funding systems, I don’t think anyone in this room is in a position to know,” she said. “But, public transportation is critical to us being able to continue being stable and healthy in the future.”

O’Grady said more affordable downtown parking should be considered as well.

“We need to find better and more affordable places for folks to be able to park,” he said. “Not everybody can afford to be downtown.”

Neither would say how they would have voted concerning the Huntington Park contract dispute that recently landed the county. Lazarus cited a lack of information concerning the specifics of the case. But they both stressed the importance of responsible public bidding.

While they agree on many issues the candidates diverge on the topic of having a democratic primary. O’Grady, the endorsed democratic candidate, disputed Lazarus’ late entrance into the race. And, he highlighted her lack of party support. When asked if there should be two democratic candidates O’Grady said: “Well no, no there shouldn’t be. It should just be me.”

Lazarus says a primary offers more choices to voters and makes them excited about the electoral process.

“We should have more primaries and not be punishing people and bullying people because they dare to offer themselves to the voters for the voter’s consideration,” she said.

While O’Grady said he would take on a position at the county commission full time, Lazarus said she will split her time between the commission and the Columbus YWCA where she is currently president and CEO.

Mayor Coleman stood on a new sidewalk outside West Mound Elementary Monday afternoon. He flipped the switch to turn on new school zone flashing lights, then motioned to drivers to reduce their speed.

“Slow down, slow down; all right, I like this,” Coleman said. “This is good. Look at that, he’s slowing down to a crawl I like that even better.”

Since the project began in 2000, warning lights, signs and pavement markings have been upgraded at 102 of the city’s 106 schools. The $2 million cost was paid mostly with bond money. The newest buildings in the system are constructed with separate auto and bus drop-off and pick up areas. But others safety features have to be retrofitted says schools superintendent Gene Harris.

“We have worked together strategically around our new schools and some of our existing schools to make sure that some of these high priority areas where there were not enough lights or the crosswalks weren’t clear enough or where there weren’t flashers, to make sure that our children are safe on the way to school,” Harris said.

Columbus health commissioner Teresa Long says a section of Livingston Ave. has been one of the most dangerous for pedestrians, where an average of 9 children are struck by cars every year. She says upgrades on Livingston were completed a few weeks ago.

“Eight special areas along Livingston have become pedestrian zones with new reflective striping, and signs that warn drivers to watch for people walking and crossing the street,” Long said. “The crosswalks were installed in early August at the corners of Livingston and Grant, Ann St., 18th St., Ohio Ave., Champion Ave., Miller Ave., Kelton Ave., and Fairwood Ave.”

Long says future streets and neighborhoods must be designed so that the safest choices for pedestrians are the easiest choices to make. In the meantime, Mayor Coleman says drivers who continue to speed through school zones run the risk of being ticketed.

“We will not hesitate to issue citations,” Coleman said. “We will have our motorcycle patrols out all over Columbus in areas of greatest concern; where children go to school during those hours.”

Coleman says 6,700 citations issued last year to drivers in school zones.