AUBURN - Public places brought about most of the debate Tuesday as three men vying for city council seats sounded off during a televised forum.

Jack Hardy, Matthew Smith and William Graney gave their thoughts on city issues during the hour-long debate. Many of the subjects elicited similar opinions, though they offered differing points of view on parks, road projects and parking places.

John Walsh Boulevard, the road project to connect Grant Avenue and North Street, is still not completed. Incumbents Smith and Graney said the city should not continue to put resources toward the road.

Smith, who has been endorsed by the Republican, Independence and Conservative parties, said there is too much ambiguity with the project. There are not clear-cut answers on questions about land acquisition, funding or other issues, he said.

At this point, Smith suggested, the city should take the remaining amount of state funding for the road project and pay off the debt it has acquired for it.

“I don't see any concrete plans for this,” he said.

Graney, who has endorsements from the Democrat, Independence and Conservative parties, said he does not see a lot of hope for the road. The city doesn't even know where the road is supposed to be placed, with ongoing battles over a railroad crossing and turnabout.

He also said adjacent businesses will benefit from the road's access and should be tapped for funding.

“They should pay for the road,” Graney said.

Hardy, a Democrat, agreed there could be some sort of “creative solution” through a private-public partnership. But Hardy also said there is more money to lose than to save by keeping that street as a road to nowhere.

“Let's complete the road,” Hardy said.

Replacing downtown parking meters with kiosks is another city council decision that has received mixed reviews. Residents have said it is difficult for people with mobility issues to use them in the snow.

Both Smith and Graney voted for the change, though Graney said it was a mistake. Graney would like to see the kiosks taken out and the meters put back in, he said.

Smith agreed there is an issue with the kiosks in the winter, comparing the machines to “Mount Everest” when the snow piles up. But the change took place, and Smith said he would “keep them in.”

Hardy pointed out that the kiosks only tend to be a problem in the winter, and he suggested some sort of system that sets aside parking spaces for senior citizens so they don't have to use the machines.

All three agreed that the city should devote more time and resources to city parks.

Hardy suggested more attention should be paid to the smaller play places and said there should be more cooperation between the city and private residents on cleanup and maintenance.

Smith said he believes there should be a permanent crew of public works employees dedicated to parks and playgrounds. Graney suggested expanding the partnership between the city and the local YMCA to improve recreation services.

Controversial topics were also discussed, such as the Department of Public Works amnesty that became public earlier this year. All three candidates said the city has put strict and clear policies in place to prevent employees from using city property for personal use in the future. And they agreed those policies should be strictly enforced.

The candidates also all agreed that the city should bring back the position of human resources director. The current council cut funding for it when they passed the budget in July, though both Graney and Smith opposed.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.