Candidates speak at open forum

Six City Council candidates on Tuesday had their first opportunity to speak in an open forum since the primary election Feb. 22.

During the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon at the Carbondale Civic Center, each of the six candidates was given seven minutes to introduce themselves, talk about their platform and answer questions from the audience. The main issue brought up by both the audience and the candidates was whether Carbondale should consider bringing in big businesses. Candidate Rhett Barke led off the forum by saying he has no problem with the bigger businesses as long as they don't overrun the smaller ones. "I think we need to try to bring some bigger businesses in," Barke Said. "But let's not forget the small mom and pop shops. You have to balance that big business with what is existing."

Some of the candidates, including Angie Kaye, were in agreement with Barke that the relationship between big and small businesses could work. Kaye said it could be done, but the businesses would have to be in cooperation with one another. "I'm not necessarily against big businesses coming in," Kaye said. "I think big businesses and small businesses have to work together." Candidate Joel Fritzler said bringing bigger businesses in is a bad idea. Fritzler said he thinks big businesses take away from smaller businesses more than they help them and don't provide any extra help for the city. "A lot of times, the large chain stores come in and they take," Fritzler said.

"I don't see a lot of benefits the big businesses bring." Incumbent Chris Wissmann said one of the disadvantages of having big businesses come in is they require so much space to build, which takes away green space. He said it is a bad idea to take over these areas because they are a big reason people come to southern Illinois. "I think we need to preserve green space," Wissmann said. "I think that is a very important part of our character." Another issue some of the candidates discussed was bringing a pool or aquatic center to Carbondale. Kaye said she supports the building of a pool but is worried about where the money will come from. Carbondale has no property tax to fund such projects as the building of a pool. Kaye said she would like to be able to build a pool without having to raise sales tax.

"I worry about funding," Kaye said. "I just don't want it to be a tax burden." Incumbent Corene McDaniel also supports a pool. She said having a pool is a dream for many people in the city and doesn't think a raise in taxes would not bother them. "I am very much in favor of a swimming pool here," McDaniel said. "I think that since this city wants a pool so badly, it would accept an increase in sales tax." Candidate Donald Barrett said money would not be such a problem for the city if it would spend it more wisely. Barrett said he disagrees with the 7.8 percent raise given to the city manager and that the money could be better spent.

"I think one of the top priorities for city government is personal responsibility," Barrett said. "I think we should be careful how we spend our money." The League of Women Voters will be sponsoring another open forum March 31 at the civic center. The City Council general election will be April 5.