Mayor Bev Buckway stood on city council's record during a public election forum Wednesday evening as she defended her desire for re-election on Oct. 15.

Al Fedoriak, a Whitehorse resident of more than 30 years and the incumbent's only challenger, told the audience of about 80 that poor city governance is threatening individual freedoms and the quality of life for residents.

City council, said the retired businessman, is not listening to voters, and is spending beyond what taxpayers can afford.

Fedoriak said the city administration is driving the bus, not the elected leaders – something that would change under his leadership.

"If wisdom has taught me anything, it is to realize I do not have all the answers,” he said. "The key thing to learn in business is you have to listen to your customers to get the results you need.”

Buckway, on the other hand, held up the work of council over the last three years as a benchmark of the success she wants to continue building upon.

There was a variety of public planning initiatives which have resulted in substantial input on everything from the future development of the Whistlebend subdivision on Porter Creek's Lower Bench, to a renewed Official Community Plan (OCP) and the creation of a long-term sustainability plan, she said.

The mayor defended council's budgeting practices as sound.

She was blunt when she talked of the need for residents to speak up and be heard if they want to shift spending priorities.

Asked by a representative of the Raven Recycling Society if she is prepared to provide additional financial support to the non-profit organization, Buckway said there's no pot of gold under city hall.

"But if residents come out and say they support it, then the city will support it,” she said.

The mayor reiterated that taxpayers must make their views known, though there's only so much money go to around, and paying Peter may mean robbing Paul.

City hall, for instance, has looked into the cost of a downtown parkade. However, without a commitment from local businesses to buy parking space, it's not feasible to build room for 120 stalls at $50,000 a stall, Buckway pointed out.

But she said she'll look into the grassroots complaint lodged from the floor last night by long-time resident Kay Haggard, who told the mayoral candidates the new parking meters are too high for her to read properly.

The city's transit department is coming out with what the mayor described as the last stand to make the system viable with better service, though it relies on increased use.

All in all, said Buckway, the City of Whitehorse is vibrant and quite stable. It has also been praised by municipal leaders across the country, she added, and is a city that local residents can and should be proud of.

Fedoriak told the audience there's much work to be done to ensure the city's character is preserved and that city hall doesn't spend away his children's and grandchildren's future.

There is a need to revisit lot sizes for the Whistlebend subdivision, and to develop a transit system that provides sufficient service during peak periods and something along the lines of a dial-a-bus service in the off-hours, he said.

The challenger said he recognizes the value Raven Recycling provides to the community, but that further financial support would have to be looked at during the budgeting process.

There's no question McIntyre Creek deserves complete protection from development, Fedoriak said.

He said his priorities as mayor would be tightening fiscal responsibility and opening up the lines of communication between city council and the electorate.

"I think it is important that every citizen should feel it is their city, and that they are a shareholder in this corporation.”

The role of the mayor, he added, is to provide the leadership and direction, to ensure members of council understand the issues and the consequences of their decisions.

Buckway said her priorities in a second term would be to continue providing good governance and working under the city's long-term sustainability plan, the OCP.

A final report on recommended changes to the OCP will be delivered to city council next month, she pointed out.

Buckway said, for instance, that she'll wait until she sees what residents from across the city have had to say about the debate on the McIntyre Creek issue before she chooses her direction on the matter.

The mayor, she reminded the audience, has but one vote, just like the other members of council.

She said the mayor's role is to provide advice, to work with the councillors and city staff, and to be visible as the spokesperson for the city.

"You are the face of city council,” she said.

Buckway said she has enjoyed her time working with the current council and is offering residents her three years' experience as a city councillor and three subsequent years as mayor.

"And I still have the energy and the enthusiasm to carry forward,” she assured the audience.

The Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce organized Wednesday evening's forum, which was moderated by former city councillor Samson Hartland, now a chamber employee.

It took place at The Old Fire Hall on First Avenue.

Another forum was scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. today, put on by the City of Whitehorse.