Free parking in downtown Owen Sound was one of the issues put to candidates during another debate.
The debate was put on by the Downtown Improvement Area on Tuesday night at the Grey Granite Club.
Incumbent Ruth Lovell Stanners, Councillor Deb Haswell and community advocate Ray Botten, who are all running for Mayor, support switching to free parking.
As to how they would recoup the estimated shortfall of 250 thousand dollars if the City went to free parking, their answers differ.
Deb Haswell wants to provide an alternate way of running the City’s parking system — adding it’s way to complicated.
Ruth Lovell Stanners says a plan needs to be in place before the switch is made.
She thinks the DIA and City can partner to make it work.
Ray Botten says expanding the borders of the DIA is one way to make up the shortfall.
Jerry Bates is also running for the Mayors chair but was not at last nights debate.
Candidates were also asked if the DIA should expand and open up membership to the rest of the city — all three Mayoral candidates believe it should.
Sidewalk snow removal for downtown merchants was another topic discussed.
Deb Haswell says Owen Sound is one of the last city’s in Ontario that doesn’t do it and she thinks it wouldn’t be very costly to change that.
Ruth Lovell Stanners feels the current system — that has merchants clearing their own storefronts — works well.
She says the only problem is when there’s a vacancy.
Ray Botten believes that his two part plan of amalgamation with the municipalities of Meaford and Georgian Bluffs will solve the problem.
There are 20 people running for Council — voting happens next Monday
