SOAP LAKE - More than 100 people attended a forum at Masquers Theater to hear from Soap Lake City Council and mayoral candidates.

Moderator Terry Brewer, who is the executive director of the Grant County Economic Development Council and a Grant County PUD commissioner, gave each candidate two minutes to introduce themselves before he began posing a series of questions, most of which were submitted by audience members.

All 10 candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot were in attendance, including Barney Berg and John Glassco, who are running for position 1; De Vaun Black and Kat Sanderson for position 2; John Cline and Keith Hagglund for position 6; David Ready and JoAnn Rushton for position 7; and Raymond Gravelle and Wayne Hovde for mayor.

The forum, which was sponsored by the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce, touched on a broad range of local issues, including public safety and the Lava Lamp project.

All candidates expressed their belief that the Lava Lamp deserves the city's full support, so long as no public funds are used in its construction. Candidates also seemed to generally agree the city needs a plan to prevent storm water from draining directly into the lake, although funding for such an extensive project isn't likely anytime soon.

Responses to most other questions served to highlight the often stark contrast between incumbent council members and "Five for the Future," a group of challengers who are all running on the same platform.

In closing, Brewer thanked the candidates for filing for election and taking part in the forum.

"It's not an easy thing to do," he said, addressing the audience. "I think you're so fortunate to be in a community where you have a choice for every office. It's commendable."