Incumbent Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick and Republican challenger Jim Castro-Blanco went head to head in a live debate Wednesday night, tackling the issue of the $1.5 billion development plan for downtown Yonkers.

Lesnick said the SFC project will attract investments. His opponent, however, insisted it is not a panacea that will solve a wide range of problems, including a rising crime rate that is the result of cuts in the Yonkers Police Department.

On the issue of police brutality allegations, both candidates agreed that police officers must reach out to Yonkers communities and put an emphasis on mutual respect and trust.