With eight candidates vying for a place on city council and three running for the mayor's chair in today's civic election, the all-candidates' forum was a fairly tame affair, with little in the way of controversy voiced by the over 200 people filling the Legion Hall on Wednesday evening.

Today, Oct. 22, is election day, with polls around the city open until 9 p.m. for electors to cast a ballot for city council and for the Public or Separate school board.

The issues fielded by the candidates in the two-and-a-half hour forum ranged from their position on making Weyburn smoke-free in public places and on hiring an economic development officer, to the possibility of providing public transportation for city residents unable to get around.

City resident Wally Zarry asked mayoral candidate Debra Button, as well as all of the candidates, what city service they would cut if they were to support hiring an economic development officer.

Button replied she wouldn't cut any services, but said the city is in need of its own dedicated employee who can promote economic development, instead of relying on the services of a shared person through the Southeast Regional Economic Development Authority (SEREDA).

Most other candidates, particularly long-time council members, did not support hiring an economic development officer, saying the last time Weyburn had such a position didn't produce the results the city had hoped for.

"There's no way the city can afford it on our own. The way it's structured now is the way to go," said incumbent mayor Schlosser, noting grants are available for using SEREDA, but there would be no grant if the city hired a person on their own.

Candidate George Kalman said the seven members of council can do some of the city's economic development work as they make contacts on behalf of the city. In addition, he said, SEREDA's officer, Dylan Clarke, should come in and meet with council on a more regular basis so they know what's coming and what is in development.

Most other candidates agreed the city couldn't afford their own person, although one, Bill McKenzie, suggested cutting two police officers' positions to help fund the position.

Resident Ray Mazer asked if there were any resolutions on the books to set councillors' salaries once the election is over, and was told the increase taken at the time of the last election three years ago was put in place prior to the election. In addition, there is no resolution in the works this year for any increase.

A number of candidates said they were uncomfortable with setting their own rates, but noted they did not feel money was an issue, or that any of them were getting rich by sitting on council. One candidate, Derrick Shangraw, vowed if he is elected, he will hand over his per diem payments to any charitable organization who requests it.

Dr. Alain Lenferna, on behalf of the Weyburn Medical Association, asked the candidates for their position on making Weyburn smoke-free, and many candidates said it should either be a provincially-directed mandate, or else the individual businesses in the city should be asked, particularly if they stood to be directly affected by such legislation.

"I would be leery to implement that without input from the chamber and business community," said Button.

"I'd make the world non-smoking if I could figure out the way to do it," commented Gary Frederickson.

Candidates George Kalman, Derrick Shangraw and Scott Lawrence all felt the businesses affected should have the choice, while Bill Rudachyk, Ray Hamm and Rob Stephanson all felt it should be mandated by the provincial government. Bill McKenzie said the community should be asked as a whole to voice their opinion.

Two questions were asked by those representing citizens with low incomes. Fred Sandeski of the Community Low Income Centre asked what policies or support council could give to those who have a low income, and a question was later asked about supporting public transportation in the city for those unable to get around.

Virtually every candidate told Sandeski they would want to see more information about his programs before committing to supporting them, although a couple said there would be no problem for council to sit down with his group and discuss any concerns or possible solutions.

As far as transportation, no candidate felt the city could afford to offer such a service at this time. Schlosser said the taxi companies may be looking at working out an arrangement with seniors' homes to provide cheaper rates of transportation once the new big-box stores are open.

Businessman Ted Hillstead asked the candidates if they agreed with his view that business owners pay more than their share of the property taxes.

Schlosser noted the city doesn't do the assessments, and commented, "It's a big, big issue. There's things we'd like to do, but we're told what to do when it comes to taxes."

"I'm not sure the taxes we have in Weyburn are unfair. If this is an issue that would affect downtown revitalization, then we should look at it," said Button.

Candidate Hamm said all property tax methods have some unfairness to them, and commented that changing to an income-based method may not necessarily be any fairer.

Candidate Frederickson noted he was in business downtown for 15 years before he went into teaching, and commented, "I could never understand why I had to pay a premium to earn a living as a businessman. What was prime property is no longer prime property. The business community has some good ideas and we need to bloody well listen to them."

The entire tax system should come under review, said candidate Dick Michel, commenting that property owners should not be penalized for making improvements to their homes.

Candidate Rob Stephanson went further and said the property tax system should be scrapped in favour of a fee-for-service system, but added the city wouldn't be allowed to do that by the provincial government. Candidate Scott Lawrence also believes in a fee-for-service system, saying the current tax system "is completely unfair."

Some candidates began and ended on a combative note, such as mayoral candidate George Kalman.

He assured that as mayor no person or group would be singled out for different treatment than others, and commented, "I will make people feel welcome, not intimidated, for stepping into council chambers. As mayor I will and do have the ability to ensure your rights and freedoms will be protected and respected."

He ended by pointing out there were four new candidates up for council, and that citizens need "to take a stand" to make a change on council.

Incumbent mayor Schlosser told the audience he has the time to make a full commitment towards doing the job of mayor, and that he would continue to use the proven methods that have led to the current boom in economic growth underway in the city.

Candidate Button opened and closed her remarks with the declaration, "It's time for a change," both for ideas and for leadership style on city council.

She also tried to dissociate herself from past decisions, such as the one to buy the Federal Building, noting that her concerns for the cost to renovate that building for the new City Hall were disregarded. She added that "the jury is still out" on the decision to renovate the Colosseum, and said an extensive audit on the expenses to run the city needs to be done to determine how well the city's tax dollars are being used.