BEAUMONT — The five candidates running for Port Arthur mayor had a chance to introduce themselves and answer questions from members of the Press Club of Southeast Texas on Thursday.

The monthly meeting held at Bruno’s Italian Kitchen in Beaumont brought together Mayor Derrick Freeman and challengers Willie “Bae” Lewis, Lowra Harrison, Thurman Bartie and Chuck Vincent.

Two of the questions taken in advance from members involved current events in the city — the hunt for a new city manager and reaction to a fatal officer-involved shooting.

Candidates for city manager are Hani Tohme, an engineer who was most recently the city’s director of public services and left the post Wednesday; Natasha Henderson, a management consultant and former city manager in Flint, Michigan; David Strahl, former city administrator for the city of O’Fallon, Missouri; and Henrietta Turner, city manager in Floresville, Texas.

There have been critics of the quality of the four finalists. The mayoral candidates were asked their thoughts on this and whether the search should be opened to others.

Harrison, an environmental specialist and minister, said there are certain qualifications needed for the city manager’s position and the city cannot afford to go backwards.

Lewis, a former city councilman, said that no, council does not need to go back out for more applicants to the city manager’s position and that there is one person in particular who is “top notch” — Tohme.

Lewis said Tohme has put programs together to take the city’s water and sewer departments out of the red and that he did the same when he was employed with the city of Beaumont.

“I would vote for him today,” Lewis said.

Bartie, local minister, teacher and funeral home director, said the candidates need to have specific experience and if the final four do not have the required qualifications then the job should be reopened.

Vincent, a community activist, agreed with Lewis saying Tohme has helped the city out with the water department and with drainage issues. Vincent keeps in contact with city hall and said Tohme has met him on the side of the road and at different areas of the city regarding sanitation and other issues.

Freeman said he wasn’t confortable discussing the issue, as he and the council will soon be making a decision, and gave some insight into the search.

The city used search firms for the past two city managers: The Mercer Group, which cost $35,000, and Strategic Government Resources, which cost $20,000 — and neither of those previous city managers worked out.

This time the city sought the applicants without assistance from a search firm.

The mayoral candidates also chimed in on whether the fatal officer-involved shooting of Shayne Lyons on Dec. 28 was justified. A Jefferson County grand jury cleared the officer in the shooting of Lyons, who toxicology reports showed had PCP in his system while carrying a machete and walking toward an officer.

Lewis said the officer went straight to “level two” and pulled his weapon instead of “level one,” using a Taser.

Bartie said he knew the deceased and although he was a big man he would not harm anyone.

But Port Arthur like other places in America struggle with African American lives being cut short by white police officers, he said, adding that sensitivity training needs to occur so officers know the population they are dealing with. The shooting, he said, was not justified.

Vincent said he has gone through the Citizens Police Academy where there are “shooting” situations. He has also worked at convenience stores across the Golden Triangle area where people have come at him armed with knives or guns, and luckily he has not had to use his weapon.

Vincent believes the shooting was justified and that it was a terrible tragedy.

Freeman shied away from the question at first due to pending litigation, but said he too had lots of questions regarding the incident.

He said he spoke with Port Arthur Police Chief Tim Duriso who showed him a target that officers use during shooting practice. The target features the silhouette of a person’s head and torso — the areas they are trained to shoot.

He also watched the video of the incident that showed the officer put his finger on the trigger, then off, then on while he likely was deciding his actions. The shooting, he said, was justified.

Harrison did not give a clear answer to the question but said there needs to be more attention given to mental illnesses. She too noted the officer put his finger on the trigger then off then on again, and as a military veteran during wartime she feels no one wants to take a life.

April 4 is the last day to register to vote for the May 4 election. Early voting is from April 22 though April 30.