Mayoral candidates keep jabbing

SCOTTSDALE - Tension in the Scottsdale mayoral race escalated at a forum Thursday night with incumbent Mary Manross accusing challenger Jim Lane of being "reckless" with numbers he used to support his points.

Lane, meanwhile, criticized the mayor for being a "16-year career politician."

Manross and Lane went head-to-head at a forum sponsored by the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors, debating on issues ranging from the city budget to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Lane continued to hammer his message of bringing a "business approach" to city hall, touting his background in business and finance. Lane said he would push for more "open and honest government" by focusing on "the fair and consistent application of our ordinances" and putting more power in the hands of citizen-run boards and commissions.

He questioned the "air of secrecy" surrounding some of the decisions made during Manross' administration.

Manross countered, saying the city has been run professionally, citing numerous awards earned over the years.

And while being a business is important, she said, "we are a municipality and we deal with human beings."

The ideas of secrecy and closed government dealings is "just stuff you throw out when you have nothing to offer," said Manross, who is selling herself as the candidate with a "vision" for the city.

She also accused campaign ads targeting her and her budget policies as "fear mongering" and "garbage."

Lane and Manross squared off after a forum held for City Council candidates, Lisa Borowsky, incumbent Betty Drake, Tom Giller, Suzanne Klapp, incumbent Ron McCullagh and Nan Nesvig.

Scottsdale's financial health was a forum focal point in light of recent news that the city expects a $25 million to $35 million budget shortfall for the next 12 to 24 months.

When asked whether the city should consider raising sales taxes to deal with bleeding revenues, most of the candidates agreed that Scottsdale should tighten its belt and live within its budget means.