Although they clearly have their differences, there is one thing all candidates for the Gainesville city commission can agree on: spending must be cut.
"We have a deficit right now and we need to be looking for ways to cut back, not ways to spend more money," said At-Large One candidate Robert Krames, at a forum Tuesday night.
Krames, along with the six other candidates running for the Gainesville city commission, spoke to about 40 people in a Gainesville commission candidate forum.
Two city commission seats, District One and At-Large One, are up for reelection March 24.
Tuesday's forum was held at the Alachua County downtown library at 401 E. University Ave.
A major point of discussion was what to do in these tough economic times.
District One Commissioner Scherwin Henry spoke about the need to diversify the local economy and attract industry to Gainesville.
Scherwin cited the green jobs that will be generated by the new solar feed-in tariff as an example of success.
Gainesville is the first city in the U.S. to implement a solar feed-in tariff, which pays citizens for solar energy production.
Marcia Wimberly, Henry's challenger for the District One seat, said it would be wiser to help existing Gainesville businesses.
"I actually would like to see retention of the businesses we have, because many of them are closing," Wimberly said.
"The mom and pop businesses are still the No. 1 employers," she added.
Wimberly suggested implementing additional tax credits and creating new-business incubators to help struggling Gainesville businesses.
The candidates for the At-Large One commission seat also voiced opinions on how to handle the city's fiscal pains.
Krames emphasized the need to cut back on unnecessary city services, potentially merging similar services with the county.
Tom Cunilio, also running for the At-Large One seat, also called for an end to wasteful city spending.
"I'm amazed at the money we throw around," he said.
At-Large One incumbent Jeanna Mastrodicasa suggested a freeze on raises and a reduction on the number of projects.
Another of Mastrodicasa's challengers, James Schlacta, said the city must decide what projects are important and what can be cut.
"There are some things that we will just not be able to fund," Schlacta said.
Another hotly debated issue on the ballot was Charter Amendment One, which would legalize discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Both District One candidates, Henry and Wimberly, voiced disapproval of the amendment.
"As a city commissioner, I must protect all the citizens of Gainesville," Henry said.
Among the At-Large One candidates, all but Mastrodicasa are for it.
"I'm a very conservative person," said At-Large One candidate Richard Selwach. "I'm an advocate for a traditional marriage and family."
Selwach said he has spoken to women and children that have expressed concern about the possibility of men using women's restrooms.
"They're telling me that they don't want men in the bathroom," Selwach said. "I'm going to support those women and children."
