COEUR d'ALENE - Jobs, urban renewal, and McEuen Field.

With less than three weeks until the Nov. 8 election, Coeur d'Alene City Council candidates hunkered down on their stances Thursday, with little wavering on the lines they've already drawn.

The forum, provided by the CDA TV Committee, added a new twist this year, where candidates could ask one another a question of their own.

Seat 5 incumbent John Bruning used the new rule to ask challenger Steve Adams from which departments he would cut jobs, if City Hall does have around 100 jobs too many as Adams has stated could be the case.

Adams, a self described "constitutional conservative" who wants to reduce the city's budget, said all positions could be under the microscope should he get elected, including police and fire.

"I think all departments would not be safe with me on council," Adams said, adding layoffs are tough decisions municipalities must face in tough times. "It's what we have to do as a city."

Bruning, seeking his second term, pointed to all of the city's accomplishments as signs that the city is making right decisions. The education corridor development, plans to redo McEuen Field and the city's partnerships with nonprofits who help underprivileged people are all great examples of progressive leadership.

Urban renewal is a big part of helping make those projects possible, he added, and he would rather err on the side of caution by continuing urban renewal's role as a financial supporter for projects and potential businesses.

"I'd rather take a chance and make sure they do happen,?? he said.

Amber Copeland said she would like to involve the younger generation in city issues. The 30-year-old wants to see two junior council members on the City Council. She maintained that bringing in more bands, contests and events into Coeur d'Alene, which she plans to do if elected, may sound petty, but would be an economic boon for the town.

"I'd like to get more people my age involved in politics," she said, adding that mental health education to combat the area's high suicide rate would be tops on her list.

Seat 1

Incumbent Ron Edinger hasn't changed his stance on the McEuen Field issue.

Any plan to redevelop the downtown park needs a public vote, he said.

Edinger said he's proud to be a part of a city that has made so many projects and partnerships possible, and without raising property taxes this fiscal year. The local urban renewal agency has done a lot of good too, he said, though if he were appointed to fill the soon-to-be vacated city liaison seat, he would bring a "little common sense."

But McEuen Field should be put to a public advisory vote, something he has tried to do on the council as the incumbent.

"The public themselves should have a big say," he said.

Adam Graves, the lone challenger, said the public should and does have its say, but the council should also rely on experts, such as park designers, when building McEuen Field.

"I would rely on experts," he said, adding he wouldn't want to throw a monkey wrench in the plan should he personally disagree with it. Graves also praised a lot of the city's accomplishments but said it could improve on implementing technology to help share the city's information, which could alleviate some confusion in the public on issues.

Seat 3

George Sayler, the former state representative, pointed out that he is the only candidate in the race for the open Seat 3 that has experience in government. He would bring his years of experience of working across aisles in Boise to the city position to "advise, guide, listen and steer."

The city has done a lot of good, he said, pointing to projects like the construction of the public library, but could improve on communicating information with the public so misinformation doesn't spread.

"I see myself in that role," he said of working with all reaches in the public. "I'd bring an attitude that urban renewal is a positive thing when it's done right."

Dan Gookin said that while he hasn't been elected to a governmental spot before, he has been heavily involved researching city and urban renewal issues for at least six years. He's familiar with how the city spends money, and would bring his inquiring approach to the council to completely vet every decision that goes before the body.

"It's our money, it's public money, it doesn't matter which pocket it comes from," he said, referring to urban renewal tax increment dollars possibly paying for changes to McEuen Field. "I think that's one reason you're going to see some changes on the council."

Political newcomers Pat Mitchell, Annastasia Somontes and Derec Aujay also weighed in on city issues.

Mitchell said downtown is thriving with businesses, the best he has seen it as a native of Coeur d'Alene. It's an example of one of the many things the city has done well, but McEuen Field shouldn't be redeveloped as the conceptual plan, which could cost up to $39 million, outlines.

"Too much money, too quick," he said. "Downtown is doing fine, the best I've ever seen."

Aujay, a North Idaho College student, pointed to the education corridor development as a positive partnership in which the city is involved. But trimming down the city budget by exploring all possible options to make that happen would be a chief goal of his. He said he would not want to sit on the Lake City Development Corp., board, the city's urban renewal agency, as a city liaison, if appointed.

I'd "try to minimize costs the best I could," he said. "Any idea would be entertained."

Somontes, who missed the Coeur Group candidates forum earlier this month, said she would shift her work schedule at the gas station to ensure she would be able to devote the necessary time as a council member.

She said she would represent the working class public on the council, and would ask whether every proposed city expenditure would be prudent to follow through.

"Do you really need that?" she said of proposed projects. "I don't think those questions get asked enough."

Debate canceled

The Hayden City Council debate between Tim Timmins and Kris LaMarr was canceled because of a schedule conflict for LaMarr.