The four candidates running for Owen Sound Mayor debated the issues on the CFOS Open Line with Bayshore Broadcasting News Wednesday morning.
High taxes, service reductions and affordable housing just some of the topics that were put to the candidates.
The issue of layoffs as one way to reduce costs also was raised, with Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners stating that is not the way to go.
She says attrition is the best way to reduce costs and so far the city has managed to reduce its staff by 7 through that method.
Deb Haswell also says layoffs are not a way to reduce costs, but a better way is to do things differently by examining city services and which ones can be streamlined.
Ray Botten and Jerry Bates also say layoffs is not a legitimate way to reduce city costs.
Affordable housing also an issued raised with the Candidates.
Ruth Lovell Stanners says she disagrees with a Grey County report suggesting that there is more than enough affordable housing in the city.
Deb Haswell would like to see new commercial or retail businesses include affordable housing in their site plans.
Ray Botten says this should be one of the more important election issues, because a lack of affordable housing is a critical issue in this community.
