First mayoral showdown sharpens distinctions

The first mayoral showdown of the campaign sharpened the distinctions between two likable candidates vying for the city’s most important job.
Though Republican Ken Johnson and Democrat Art Ward agreed on many issues, they differed on some doozies.
During the Federal Hill Association-sponsored forum at City Hall Wednesday, the mayoral hopefuls took opposing stands on the need for a city manager and whether to explore privatization of some public works services.
They agreed, though, on the possibility of putting big ticket projects on the ballots, about the need for better communication from the Board of Education, the importance of taking down the mall and finishing the new industrial park and more.
Perhaps most striking, though, was the diametrically opposing stance each staked out on the need for a professional manager to administer the city’s $165 million budget and 2,000 employees.
Johnson called for the city to dump its almost century-old form of government, which relies on a powerful mayor, in favor of one that puts substantial clout in the hands of a city manager.
"I actually would prefer that we stay where we are," Ward said. He said the city has worked well for the 14 years he’s served as a city councilor.
Johnson, a real estate agent, said that it is "impossible" for a mayor to oversee so much money and so many employees while also carrying out ceremonial duties and chairing so many meetings every month.
"It is unreasonable for any person to do that job and do it well," Johnson said.
Ward, a veterans counselor for the state, said he would like the new Charter Revision Commission to look into the concept but he doesn’t see a reason to make the change.
As for privatizing public works functions such as trash collection, Ward said he would "absolutely not" support it.
He said government has a responsibility to provide certain services and that dropping them in favor of hiring a private contractor would ultimately leave the city "at the mercy" of businesses because it would be so hard to reverse the decision.
Johnson, however, said, "Why would anyone say no to exploring something like that? I would consider it my duty to explore any and all options to maximize efficiency in government."
He said he would also ask municipal employees themselves to suggest ideas for improving efficiency, an idea that began during former Mayor Frank Nicastro’s 10-year stint in office but fell by the wayside.
As for the mall, both men said they would like to see it knocked down and a plan ready to go as soon as possible for turning the 17-acre site over to a private developer.
Johnson said residents tell him that they are frustrated and disgusted at what’s happened with the mall, which the city bought for $5.3 million in 2005.
"It’s a pride issue," the Republican said. "Our pride is wounded every time we drive by that parcel and we see that godforsaken, decrepit structure still standing there."
He said he recognizes that razing the building won’t create "a shiny new metropolis" in its place, but it’s a start.
Ward said there will always be discussion of whether the city should have bought the mall.
But, he said, everyone has looked at "the white elephant" as they drove by and wondered "why, where, when and how?"
"We have an opportunity here," Ward said, a chance to bring in new tax dollars. The mall paid $86,000K in yearly taxes before the city purchased it, he said.
If plans for the site work out, he said, the revenue could be $3 to 4 million annually, which would help hold down taxes.
Both Johnson and Ward said they’d like to see the Bristol Development Authority press ahead with completing the new industrial park beside the former Superior Electric factory.
"A lot has slipped through our fingers" by failing to utilize the BDA the past two years, Ward said.
Johnson and Ward will face off at least three more times during the campaign. They are vying to succeed Republican Mayor William Stortz, who opted not to see reelection.
One of the moderators of the forum, David Fortier, said both candidates are outstanding.
For far more detail about the forum, as well as an overview of what took place during the City Council forum for the 1st District, please see reporter Steve Collins’ Bristol Blog online at http://bristolnews.blogspot.com.

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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com