AUBURN - Long-time professional acquaintances and current political rivals Timothy C. Lattimore and James E. Hutchinson discussed issues of interest to Cayuga County Legislature District 13 in a forum Thursday.

As lifelong Auburn residents and former city lawmakers, the candidates shared their views on a gambit of county topics and contributed ideas for a better Legislature. And while they agreed on many issues, the reasoning behind their opinions often differed.

Both Lattimore and Hutchinson said they support the one-stop economic development agency the county is expected to roll out Monday. There has been debate within the Legislature about how much influence government should have in the agency.

“I don't care how it gets done,” Lattimore said. “Let's just get somebody on the road marketing the region.”

An ideal economic development agency would pool the resources of the entire Finger Lakes region, Lattimore said, rather than focusing on Cayuga County.

Hutchinson disagreed. He said he is very supportive of a development agency but that the county should try to “keep it in our own backyard,” where there are plentiful resources for development, such as the Auburn Industrial Park.

“We're ready if anyone in the neighborhood is looking,” he said.

The candidates also agreed on the importance of a manager's touch in government.

Lattimore said the next manager should have an analytic mind in order to give the county's budget and daily operation the attention needed to save money. To ensure the right person for the job is found, the county should search for professionals already in the field, rather than sifting through a pile of resumes and should not limit itself to the former manager's $97,500 a year salary, he said.

Though firm about his stance that a manager is necessary, Hutchinson said the Legislature's committee system conflicts with the position because department heads do not know to whom they should report.

“The system is doomed to fail until county legislators give up some of their power,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson said he would look to a new manager and the current interim manager to advise the Legislature on whether the county's home health agency should be privatized. He said it would be irresponsible of the county to make decisions about CHHA without consulting them.

Lattimore agreed that CHHA is vitally important to the people who it employs and the people who receive its services.

“This is one service we get that we really need,” he said. “I'm in favor of keeping it.”

Lattimore said he would also be in favor of negotiating with the Cayuga Indian Nation, rather than continuing with legal battles.

“We should sit down and try to settle this thing,” he said. But the tribe should be held accountable for their owed taxes, he said. Putting casino plans back on the table to bargain with the tribe is an idea worth looking into, he said.

“I don't think there will be any negotiating with the Cayuga Nation,” Hutchinson said. He would not consider bringing a casino into the equation he said, because the idea that one could come to Auburn is “pure fantasy.”

He said he fully supports the county's efforts to prevent the tribe from putting land in a trust. “I think we have no choice than to fight it.”

Included in the discussion of how to handle ongoing county problems was talk of new initiatives each would hope to bring to the table. Lattimore has suggested reworking the county's policy of public opinion during Legislative meetings to resemble the city council's “public to be heard.” Hutchinson would like to eliminate the $2 parking fee at Emerson Park and search for alternative revenue generators.

Staff writer Sarah Gantz can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or sarah.gantz@lee.net