Mark Green. Alan Hevesi. Peter Vallone. Fernando Ferrer. A no-show Michael Bloomberg and Herman Badillo. The names you've just finished reading are the names of those who wish to be the head of the New York City government. Yup. That's right; they all want to be your next mayor. But why? On July 26, Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields and the Harlem Business Alliance teamed up to host a free political debate as an open invitation for critique by the African-American community -- a strong presence in the city of New York.

Politicians will be politicians. Campaigning in a city where public skepticism appears mandatory, if not already innate, promises are taken as much to the heart as we can throw 'em. "So you say you're gonna' help out New York? You're gonna' make it a better place for both you AND me, huh? Prove it." Through a variety of interviews with both pedestrians, campaign managers, and public relations representatives, I found that everyone wanted one thing: Proof. People, New Yorkers especially, want a reason to trust you...and it's logical, isn't it? Bill Clinton lied under oath, why wouldn't Alan Hevesi? Or Peter Vallone? Mark Green? The fact is, the majority of those prospective voters in line for this upcoming electoral season don't know WHAT to think, believe, or patronize. "Who are you supporting?" I asked...over...and over. The truth of the matter is, unless the person questioned was receiving some sort of check for their opinion, the majority of those regular ol' folks interviewed at the mayoral debate just didn't know. "I'm still waiting to cast judgment" became a common answer.

So let's just get to the bottom line here: What does New York need? "Housing," says Macy Richardson, a telephone operator from Queens. "There's an issue of youth poverty," she begins, "because there's a lot of young people who'd love to be home owners, but they just can't afford it in this city." She goes on, "Education is also important. Ferrer is impressing me today by emphasizing on education," Richardson explains, placing an odd and satirical accent on "today".

Asked, "What do you feel is an important yet unresolved issue in the city?" Annie Segarra, public educator, replies, "I'd say there's two big issues in the city: race and voter education. Voting must be taught in schools for a greater turnout." Segarra believes voter education in schools should be implemented into the Board of Education's curriculum. She continues, "It has to be taught early on. You get what you don't vote for." Indeed that last comment is a truism. Bush is president, isn't he?

"Housing! People need affordable housing no matter who they are," an ecstatic pedestrian who didn't want his name used replies when I inquire about his concern for the city's well being. Well alrighty then. That's two strikes for housing.

Franklin Amoo, Columbia University senior and panel speaker at the debate says, "There are two New York Cities -- at one end you have a dramatically decreased crime rate, while on the other, a majority of New Yorkers who are still afraid of the cops." Does Abner Louima ring a bell? Amadou Diallo? 41 shots anyone? It hasn't been THAT long. I can see his point. Yes, NYC cops are fundamentally cracking down on crime, but at what expense? A popular adage goes: "You don't bite the hand that feeds (or protects) you." Well, if that hand happens to smack you around a little more than once in a while, many would say "bite on," or better yet, reject the hand all together. Simply said: people don't trust NYC police officers. Amoo points that out as an important issue for politicians to address.

"Get out of the office and go OUT to the people -- genuinely," Amoo adds. It appears that people want to see caring politicians...who ACTUALLY care. Is that even possible? Aren't politics supposed to be dirty and unpredictable? "Well the race up to now has been pretty civil. It would be revolutionary if there weren't any dirty politics, but I don't think there really has to be any mudslinging going on. I haven't seen it here. I've covered a lot of elections, and this is certainly one of the cleanest," comments Mark Riley, radio talk show host and debate panelist.

Hmm...no dirt? No mudslinging? Maybe this election won't be so painstakingly unbearable after all. This isn't to infer that all guards are down (this is still a New York City race!), but at least there's somewhat of a bright side...so far. Let's just hope it remains that way. It certainly would be a breath of fresh air after the entire post-Honest Clinton, pre-Philosophical Bush, smack-dab in the midst of Guiliani's own-little-gathering-of-publicized-dirt era.

Walter Edwards, chairman of Harlem Business Alliance, supports the authentic and honest political approach as well. "I want my children to have an open door to politicians. They should be able to contact them, and get an authentic response as a result of that contact." This is an important point since "children" (a.k.a. the under 18 crowd) are commonly sidestepped and under-recognized by politicians. "Kids can't vote. Why should I care?" seems to be the view that a number of politicians hold as a rule of thumb for campaign prioritization.

Why should you care? You should care because once your term is up and my behind is in a voting booth, I'll have sudden flashbacks to the way you cut back on education spending and child health care. I'll remember the way you increased taxes and made it even harder for my ol' folks to find me a decent education. Yeah...that's it. While you're tentatively campaigning for a re-run, millions of teens-turned-voters just like me who get involved and are concerned with their world will remember your term, and it won't be much to remember.

So why should you care? You figure it out. In the meantime, a strong emphasis on a productive approach to issues like housing, education, and racial tension in the city should be aggressively presented towards our mayoral candidates. There is nothing to be afraid of. As a registered voter, you are in control. None of these gentleman are mayors -- YET. Question them, analyze them, and keep an open eye to the objectified and subjectified truths of New York City politics. Stop mistakes before they happen. This is your city; do something about it.