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Candidates for Port Huron City Council tackled dozens of issues Tuesday night, but talks of a potential ward system to elect council members and the city's economic development plan proved most debated and divisive.
The 14 candidates squared off in the forum one week before a Nov. 3 general election, that pits five incumbents with nine challengers.
During the forum at the Municipal Office Center, the incumbents largely defended each other and the decisions made in the past two years.
In fact, Councilman Marty Doorn used his two-minute introduction to endorse the other four incumbents, and said particularly that if one vote is cast, it should be for Mayor Brian Moeller.
That alliance spanned the forum.
On economic development, for example, each of the incumbents said they believed in the decision to pull funding from the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County. Some challengers, such as Ken Harris, agreed with the incumbents, calling the separation the correct decision.
But others said the city needs to develop partnerships, not run away from them.
B. Mark Neal, a challenger who once served on the council, said the city "turned our back on (other municipalities) and we walked away from the EDA."
"We have to be in partnership (to succeed)," he said.
Sherry Archibald, a challenger, said the city cannot go it alone and must rely on partnerships.
"I don't think the city will ever turn around by ourselves," she said.
The incumbents defended their decision in two ways. First, they said city residents still pay a huge chunk of money to the EDA through taxes from the county, St. Clair County Community College and other such authorities.
Secondly, Mayor Pro Tem James Fisher, Doorn and Moeller alluded to private discussions that helped influence their decision.
Moeller said an investor from the west side of the state, who did not want to be named, said people throughout state didn't want to invest in the city.
"Nobody will move to Port Huron because of the EDA and its leadership," Moeller said the investor told him and Councilman Mark Byrne during a meeting.
Furthermore, Moeller said the city is working to build relationships with surrounding townships through various means, including a water authority and other methods.
"As far as cooperation," Moeller said, "our cooperation is the best it's ever been."
The ward system was also a hot topic.
Port Huron's Charter Commission -- which includes Pauline Repp and Neal -- is considering changing the manner in which residents elect council members.
So far, that commission has endorsed the continuation of an at-large system, but instituting staggered terms and a separate election for mayor.
Steven Miller, a challenger, did not endorse that system, calling a hybrid with wards and at-large council members the "most feasible."
Others agreed, but some -- particularly Repp and Archibald -- said having a ward system could lead to further divisions between the north and south sides of the city.
Archibald said the potential of a ward system is that it "pits neighborhood against neighborhood."
"I think we should have a united front," she said.
Repp, who is chairwoman of the charter commission, said the commission is willing to address the issue again -- as it intended -- and consider a hybrid system.
But she said there is "already a division" between the north and south sides of the city, and that a ward system could highlight that.
She said she is not against a hybrid system but would be against a complete ward system.
Others, particularly Fisher and Edison Palmer Jr., a challenger, said having wards would not divide but unite the city.
Palmer, who lives on the south side of the city, said many of the homeless shelters, drug rehabilitation homes and other services for needy people are on the south side of the city.
He said if there was a ward system in place that wouldn't happen "because we would have a say."
Fisher said the at-large system is what created the divide in the city.
"Giving everyone an equal voice will unite the city, not divide it," he said.
Another topic of discussion was the city's purchase of Black River Point for $660,000.
Domingo Ruiz, a challenger, said with the economic shape the city is in and with the various other properties in the downtown area that could be developed, it was a poorly timed purchase.
"I didn't see the need of that purchase at this time," he said.
Taxes -- including property and income taxes -- also were a hot topic.
Challenger Chad Noetzel said it would be part of his plan to get rid of the city's income tax.
"Who does it benefit other than those in this building?" he said, referring to the city government.
Alan Lewandowski, an incumbent, said it benefits many people because it provides services without higher property taxes.
"It is a trade-off," he said.
Archibald said the city should be able to lower property taxes and slowly eliminate the income tax. She -- along with many others -- said that is the way to keep people in the city.
"People are leaving this city in droves," she said.
Nobody endorsed raising taxes.
Irene Michels also is on the ballot. She said there is still hope for Port Huron.
Residents can vote for seven candidates, with the top seven creating the new council.
By STEPHEN TAIT
Times Herald
• October 28, 2009
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