One of the questions from the audience asked whether the city should promote the city's water research, which amounts to some 55-million gallons per day. Unmentioned in the question was whether the contentious issue of the city's commitment of five-millions per day to Tethys Enterprises.
Most Council candidates seemed to agreed that the water resource is a valuable asset.
Candidate Liz Lovelett, running against incumbent Bill Turner, said the water resource is a great huge public asset and should be protected, adding, "I think it would be shortsighted not to think that it is a key element of business development." Turner said, "We need to find manufacturing jobs because they're stable and provide benefits for the workers."
Candidate Andrea Doll said that the public should be involved if the city looks at signing a long-term contract such as Tethys. "This is something the community should be involved in." Her opponent, Matt Miller said there has been a lot of mis-information about the Tethys agreement. He said the river is a great resource and "something we need to talk about."
Candidate Johnny Archibald said water should be protected as a resource, not as a commodity, but for our infrastructure. He said he opposed the Tethys proposal and would like to use public meetings to determine how to market water.
Another question asked of the candidates was whether the city should hire a City Manager to run the city. Four of the seven candidates answered 'no.' Erica Pickett, who is running unopposed, said the need for a City Manager "really depends on who you get as our Mayor."
The general election is November 5.