It seems all seven candidates for Marana Town Council want Marana to be a great place to live, work and play.
They all said as much at the Jan. 28 candidate forum, sponsored by the Marana Chamber of Commerce at Estes Elementary School, 11279 W. Grier Road.
Incumbents Carol McGorray, Herb Kai, Patti Comerford and Jon Post are being challenged by Kelle Maslyn, Larry Steckler and Bret Summers for four seats on the council.
Moderator Jack Neubeck of The Planning Center led the candidates through a series of preset questions before accepting written audience questions for the group to answer.
The candidates were asked what they had accomplished during their time on the council, or what they would like to accomplish if they are elected to the council; what skills they have that make them effective council members; what is the most significant growth opportunity in northern Marana and why (not including the Marana Regional Airport); and what their priorities are for the town over the next five to 10 years.
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The discussion revolved around how to give the town a unified identity, water rights and infrastructure.
Several questions submitted by the audience were related to the Saguaro Ranch development and a controversy over the developer's decision to block a public right of way near the Tortolita Mountain Park.
The council members on the panel deferred their responses until after Tuesday's council meeting, at which the council held a public hearing that lasted about three hours to discuss the town's proposal to abandon the public right of way.
Their challengers said they, too, wanted to get more information on the topic before commenting on it.
The registration deadline to vote in the town's primary is Monday, and the primary will be held on March 10. The registration deadline for the general election is April 20, and the election will be on May 19.
If you go
What: Two dates remain for Marana Town Council candidate forums, sponsored by the Marana Chamber of Commerce. Candidates answer preset questions and field questions from the audience.
Who: Four incumbents and three challengers are competing for four seats on the council.
When:
• 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary School, 8500 N. Continental Loop Drive. Free.
• 11:30 a.m. Feb. 19 at the Marana Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon at Oasis at Wild Horse Ranch, 6801 N. Camino Verde. You don't have to be a chamber member to attend. $17 for members, $20 for non-members. Includes lunch.
Details: For more information, e-mail info@maranachamber.com or call 682-4314.
Forum on Comcast digital
You can watch last week's candidate forum on Comcast on Demand.
The cable company recorded the event and plans to have it available on its system by the end of this week, said candidate Kelle Maslyn, who also is a spokeswoman for Comcast.
If you have a digital box from Comcast, go to Channel 1, the On Demand channel, to watch the forum.
To find the forum, go to the option labeled Get Local.
