Benton Harbor voters want to city commissioners to address the water crisis, among other issues

 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Benton Harbor residents are voting for four seats in the city commission-- hoping their choice in candidates can help address the problems in the city-- chief among them: the water crisis.

But regardless of their choice in candidate, they need to work together to make real change in the city. 

“We need strong leadership,” said Bonnie Young-Campbell, who's lived in Benton Harbor for nearly her entire life. 

Voting kicked off early, at 7:00am, and voters we spoke to wanted the commission to solve a variety of problems currently facing Benton Harbor:

“The water. That’s the number one issue that we have,” said Edgar Duncan, a volunteer for one of the candidate's campaign.

Spencer Nesbitt, a voter who has lived in Benton Harbor since the 1970s, said “It’s crime. We need to get something, some bottleneck on the crime issues.”

“It bothers me that these things are going on," said Young-Campbell. "They need to be addressed, they really do.”

While the voters did not agree on exactly what's the most pressing issue-- they do agree that no matter who wins, they will need to collaborate, regardless of their position if positive change is going to happen. And the community will have to do the same. 

“We need the people here in our city to help our city,” said Duncan. 

And the voters we spoke with said it's up to them to pick the right leaders to move the city forward. 

Nesbitt said “We got to start voting for people who are actually go in and do the jobs that they’re supposed to do.”

“That’s going to need to be done by everyone here in the city of Benton Harbor," said Duncan. "That’s why it’s very vital for everyone to get out and vote today.”

The polls close at 8:00pm.