MONROE - Mayoral candidates worked hard to differentiate themselves Thursday night at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) candidate forum at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center.
Mayor Ron Marsh hammered home the fiscal accomplishments the city has made during his previous two terms as mayor of Monroe. He noted, in particular, a savings of $2.5 million from re-negotiating and changing the debt load; a decrease in property tax rate for 2010; and rescuing a debt ridden Tax Increment District, which he said was "bleeding the general fund" but is now repaying the city $1.3 million.
Bill Ross, city mayor for 12 years prior to Marsh, singled-out leadership style as a major difference between him and the other candidates. He wants to pursue his leadership technique of teamwork, which he said is "totally different" than that of Marsh's of "more command and control."
Ross said he liked a teamwork approach to management, in which the decision making process is open to city council members, department heads and employees input and so that everyone is "on the same page" when decisions are made.
Tyler Schultz, in his mid-20s and by far the youngest of the mayoral candidates, made his desire for change as his distinction from the present and past mayor. Schultz emphasized the lack of jobs as a major problem facing young adults and the future of Monroe.
He pointed out that young families today, whether the parent is married or unmarried, are being supported on a single income, and asked whether Monroe would ever provide jobs that pay enough "to support a family, a mortgage, a car payment."
High School graduates go where jobs are, he said, "and that's clearly not Monroe."
According to MCCI President, and timekeeper of the event, Dave Gombosi, mayoral and aldermanic candidates mentioned filling the position of city administrator, economic growth and fiscal/budget concerns as the top three most pressing issues facing the City of Monroe.
City candidates, for alderman and mayor, were all asked their opinion on who had authority in matters of hiring and firing, day-to-day and fiscal decisions.
The candidates were also asked what Monroe's contingency plan should be if the county decided to no longer maintain the historic Courthouse. All candidates agreed that the Green County Court House was a major asset to the identity of the city and should be maintained in some form depending on funding.
Incumbent Steve Stettler, 18th District Green County Board Supervisor, in Decatur township, started the forum. His challenger Robert Gadow did not make an appearance.
Monroe Ward 3 incumbent Mark Coplien and challenger Michael Boyce; Incumbent Thurston Hanson and Louis Armstrong in Ward 7; and Richard Thoman and Michael Rivers, Ward 9, took the stage in pairs to answer questions.
Marsh, Ross and Schultz filled the last half hour of the forum.
About 140 people attended the hour-and-a-half long forum.
Mayor Ron Marsh hammered home the fiscal accomplishments the city has made during his previous two terms as mayor of Monroe. He noted, in particular, a savings of $2.5 million from re-negotiating and changing the debt load; a decrease in property tax rate for 2010; and rescuing a debt ridden Tax Increment District, which he said was "bleeding the general fund" but is now repaying the city $1.3 million.
Bill Ross, city mayor for 12 years prior to Marsh, singled-out leadership style as a major difference between him and the other candidates. He wants to pursue his leadership technique of teamwork, which he said is "totally different" than that of Marsh's of "more command and control."
Ross said he liked a teamwork approach to management, in which the decision making process is open to city council members, department heads and employees input and so that everyone is "on the same page" when decisions are made.
Tyler Schultz, in his mid-20s and by far the youngest of the mayoral candidates, made his desire for change as his distinction from the present and past mayor. Schultz emphasized the lack of jobs as a major problem facing young adults and the future of Monroe.
He pointed out that young families today, whether the parent is married or unmarried, are being supported on a single income, and asked whether Monroe would ever provide jobs that pay enough "to support a family, a mortgage, a car payment."
High School graduates go where jobs are, he said, "and that's clearly not Monroe."
According to MCCI President, and timekeeper of the event, Dave Gombosi, mayoral and aldermanic candidates mentioned filling the position of city administrator, economic growth and fiscal/budget concerns as the top three most pressing issues facing the City of Monroe.
City candidates, for alderman and mayor, were all asked their opinion on who had authority in matters of hiring and firing, day-to-day and fiscal decisions.
The candidates were also asked what Monroe's contingency plan should be if the county decided to no longer maintain the historic Courthouse. All candidates agreed that the Green County Court House was a major asset to the identity of the city and should be maintained in some form depending on funding.
Incumbent Steve Stettler, 18th District Green County Board Supervisor, in Decatur township, started the forum. His challenger Robert Gadow did not make an appearance.
Monroe Ward 3 incumbent Mark Coplien and challenger Michael Boyce; Incumbent Thurston Hanson and Louis Armstrong in Ward 7; and Richard Thoman and Michael Rivers, Ward 9, took the stage in pairs to answer questions.
Marsh, Ross and Schultz filled the last half hour of the forum.
About 140 people attended the hour-and-a-half long forum.