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Posted: 3:13 PM- Perched above a roomful of Salt Lake City Rotarians, mayoral finalists Ralph Becker and Dave Buhler polished old lines and practiced a few new ones in the first of two scheduled debates on Tuesday.
The noon-hour affair remained civil, though self-proclaimed "underdog" Buhler wasted little time serving some swipes at the favorite.
"The time for considering is past," Buhler said after Becker hesitated a bit on the notion of crime cameras in drug-riddled Pioneer Park. "It's time for action. It doesn't need more planning. It doesn't need more deliberation. It needs action."
Becker said he supports the placement of cameras as a "shock factor," but overall is bothered by the Big Brother element of public surveillance.
"I would certainly consider having cameras there on a very short-term basis," the Democratic House minority leader explained. "But I don't like the idea of having that as a permanent part of the park, or expanding it elsewhere."
Becker called for a "holistic" approach - complete with a zero-tolerance crime policy - focused on engaging police, social workers and residents throughout the neighborhood.
Buhler, a two-term city councilman, wants to add more cops and to pressure the Salt Lake County Council to open more jail beds.
Pioneer Park has captured headlines this fall for a stabbing death and startling spike in the traffic of crack cocaine. Loft-dwellers and other downtown condo owners have formed a neighborhood watch in response.
The candidates also sparred over City Hall support for public education.
Becker argued the after-school Youth City program deserves financial support, while Buhler noted he hesitated on the City Council during lean budget years. Becker also promised to hire a full-time city executive to focus on education partnerships. Buhler called the position "window dressing."
"Most of our education funding comes from the state," Buhler said. "That's why I'd like to see Ralph stay in the Legislature to make sure education gets funded."
The line drew laughs, and a response.
"I'd like to invite Dave to come up to the Legislature and lobby for education," Becker said. "Maybe he'd have more success as a Republican."
For weeks, the men have jabbed over the death of Main Street, including the role of The Gateway shopping center. It continued Tuesday.
Becker called The Gateway "a fine development," especially long-term. But he suggested the retail center pulled the progress from the downtown core, which he labels "sad." At the same time, Becker praised the $1.5 billion City Creek development, and said the city's heart could return to 2002 Olympic prominence within five to 10 years - if leaders follow the so-called Downtown Rising plan.
Buhler repeated surprise over Becker's earlier statement that The Gateway had "sucked the life out of the city."
"Thank goodness we have The Gateway," he said, noting it provides residents an outlet for shopping, movies and restaurants while Main Street is redeveloped.
"It was a great investment, and we need more of that."
Asked what their transportation priorities would be over their first term, the hopefuls mostly agreed.
Becker cited a "true" bikeway system to keep cyclists safe, the airport TRAX line and a transit route to Sugar House.
Buhler agreed on transit to the airport, but he emphasized the line should traverse 400 West (not 600 West as proposed), and that the state should help fund a new North Temple viaduct. He also wants a downtown circulator for transit, more parking on the southern corridor and showers at city buildings to encourage bicycle riding among city employees.
Buhler told the Rotarians he has "lots of respect" for Becker, but insisted he is more effective. He tweaked his opponent for passing too few bills at the Legislature, including none on public safety or liquor reform.
"I'm very practical," he said. "I'm very results oriented."
For his part, Becker refused to take the bait. Instead, he said he wants to strengthen public education, keep the capital green and help foster the city's chances for becoming a model across the region "and across the entire country."
"Rather than criticize Dave," he said, "I'd invite you to look at my record . . . and make your own conclusions."
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