YOUNGSTOWN - Ahead of Nov. 4,  21 News is continuing to cover important issues that voters will have to decide on come November. 

In Youngstown candidates continue to make their case to the voters, as they prepare for our 21 News mayoral debate.

Independent Derrick McDowell and incumbent Democratic Mayor Tito Brown gave a preview of their vision to the Youngstown Rotary Wednesday afternoon.

When explaining how they plan to lead the city, both said they want to put investments into housing and promoting business downtown. But, there are stark differences in how they'd do it. 

“We want to continue to focus on investing over $25 million on housing. We want to see rehab, new homes, or new ownership in the next four years,” said Brown.

“We're talking to residents about investment within their neighborhood. We have 31 identified neighborhoods across the City of Youngstown, and we still hear that cry, and we’ve given eight years,” said McDowell.

Mayor Tito Brown stands by his administration's record.

“I'm showing you an action. Best accountability for financial for your tax dollars, crime is down, neighborhoods are safer and healthier and we're seeing the best investment we've even seen in the City of Youngstown,” said Brown.

McDowell said it hasn't been enough. 

“We've given opportunity to see the deep investments that we're looking for. We're saying to our community of business owners downtown, that their cry, that their call out is not worthy to be answered in the way that they're looking for,” said McDowell.

On crime, Brown said there needs to be an investment into technology and more resources for youth. 

McDowell feels resources already exist, but the city needs to market them better. 

Also part of the discussion, Brown is looking to highlight challenges the city has faced on his watch, such as lack of development at Chill Can and the Realty building explosion. He feels those problems were quickly addressed.

“You don't dodge tough times, you walk through it and deal with it,” said Brown.

McDowell argues in both cases, the city should have been proactive, not reactive. 

“We should have had leverage and mechanisms in place, year one,” said McDowell.

Both agreed that additional housing and development would be key priorities. 

21 News is also hosting a debate between the two candidates vying for Youngstown Mayor. 

Incumbent mayor, Jamael Tito Brown, is seeking his third term.

Challenger, Derrick McDowell, is looking to bring new leadership to the office. 

That debate will take place Thursday, October 16th, at 2 p.m. moderated by 21 News at 5's Lindsay McCoy.